Senior Inventory PlannerJOB PURPOSE: TO DELIVER ON THE MISSION OF WILCO BY OPTIMIZING INVENTORY INVESTMENT AND FULFILLMENT.
JOB SUMMARY: Optimize replenishment to achieve inventory productivity, in-stock, and supply chain efficiency.
REPORTS TO: Manager of Inventory Planning
JOB RESPONSIBILITIESREPLENISHMENT:- Leads promotional planning process for all inventory needs.
- Generates replenishment orders for assigned categories.
- Maintains PO accuracy, keeping expected delivery dates, costs and order quantities current until PO finalization.
- Tracks PO's to receipt and communicates status to cross-functional partners as needed.
- Monitors in-stock and communicates status updates for high-risk or chronic out-of-stock situations.
- Analyzes and prioritizes store replenishment needs.
- Utilizes category knowledge, performance trend, seasonality, and historical sales data to confirm the appropriateness of calculated SKU order points and to evaluate suggested order quantities.
- Coordinates changes to department order point calculation rules with the Manager of Inventory Planning.
- Audits order point effectiveness, forecast accuracy, and in-stock for new SKUs, new stores, and trending items.
- Executes orders for resets and new stores, tracks deliveries, and escalates in-stock risks.
- Responsible for promotional items in-stock in assigned categories: documents & addresses inventory risks prior to final proof and executes timely order placement & tracking to ensure product is in stores 2 weeks prior to the Ad.
IN-STOCK:- Works with Inventory Manager to set and maintain in-stock parameters on all replenished skus. Serves as a SME for Inventory planning team.
- Tracks daily in-stock levels for assigned categories and takes immediate action to mitigate lost sales, ordering vendors out of cycle where necessary to maintain service level expectations and achieve in-stock goals.
- Follows up on outdated and expired purchase orders weekly.
- Provide forecasts and demand projections to key vendors to secure future product availability for planned events.
- Communicates issues and requests for PO prioritization to the Manager of Inventory Planning.
- Analyzes in-stock trends, vendor fill rates, lost sales, seasonality, and category inventory levels to optimize vendor order cycles.
- Communicates chronic OOS issues and executes alternate vendor ordering per documented 'Vendor Protocol' (including alignment with PM & coordination with the MA to ensure file maintenance reflects exceptions).
INVENTORY CONTROL:- Investigates and responds to store inventory concerns and feedback via email.
- Monitors store shelf overstock, assesses vendor minimums & order multiples, and partners with the Merchandise
- Analyst to utilize POG data to set max capacity replenishment constraints on high overstock risk items.
- Monitors stocking levels on high consumable & "project" items, ensuring changes are properly recorded according to the 'Job Lot Inventory Management' process and tracking over time for effectiveness.
ORDER EFFICIENCY:- Collaborates with the category team to evaluate fulfillment optimization, vendor minimum, and order efficiency opportunities. Executes approved changes systemically to drive improved performance. Pursues, tests, and converts vendors to EDI ordering.
- Utilizes demand patterns, vendor order requirements, and the sales contribution of each assigned vendor's SKU mix to identify opportunities and convert vendors from manual to auto-approved ordering.
- Owns the logistical components of order fulfillment for assigned categories. Manages freight decisions, coordinates delivery communication, and ensures fulfillment method changes are executed according to process.
- Participate in weekly meetings and attend store walks as needed.
- Generate & publish reporting & analysis to inform the business, per direction from management.
- Assists with File Maintenance for departments as needed.
- Participates in weekly meetings and attends store walks as needed.
- Creates & publishes regular reporting & analysis to drive the business.
- Completes special assigned projects and provides requested analysis, reporting or insights for management.
- Assists in training and other projects as needed to support their teams, cross-functional partners or business.
SPECIAL SKILLS/TRAINING:- Excellent analytical skills and detail oriented. Proven ability to utilize data to impact and drive results.
- Highly proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Excellent Excel Skills.
- Effectively manages competing priorities to resolve immediate business needs and achieve long-term goals.
- Must have excellent communication skills, be highly professional, assertive & collaborative.
- Must have the ability to effectively drive and influence others from various cross-functional groups.
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION:- Excellent understanding of retail math, strong analytical skills, and high math aptitude.
- Expert understanding of replenishment and inventory system concepts required. Epicor expertise preferred.
- Must have a proven ability to solve problems, perform under pressure, and prioritize effectively to carry out duties and achieve goals.
- 5 + years total retail Inventory experience.
- 5 + years in data analysis, demand forecasting, inventory planning, or merchandising position required.
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in inventory planning or merchandising.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:- Able to sit and work at a keyboard for extended periods.
WORKING CONDITIONS:- This position is a hybrid-remote position.
