The Senior Manager of Inventory Positioning (IP) Program Management leads the program management discipline behind how Nordstrom and Rack position inventory across the full network, including fulfillment centers and stores, so inventory is positioned to optimize the customer journey, however our customer chooses to shop with us.
 

This role reports to the Senior Director supporting Nordstrom and Rack Allocation, inclusive of both Store and Online Inventory Positioning. This individual leads a team of program managers driving execution across FC and Store inventory positioning, with direct ownership of FC positioning strategy, and partners with key stakeholders across Merchandising, Digital Merchandising, Store Ops, Operations and Ops Planning, and Transportation. They lead the evolution of Inventory Positioning capabilities, including the shift to AI-assisted insights and the transition to new Allocation tools and systems, translating new tools and data into changed team behavior and better decisions.

A day in the life…

• Drive initial placement and overall inventory position across the network, partnering with cross-functional teams focused on Returns, Secondary Positioning, Transfers, and Inventory Movement to keep FC and store inventory balanced end to end.

• Own FC inventory positioning strategy on behalf of Inventory Positioning, partnering with Operations and Ops Planning to drive the linkage between inventory placement and operations execution to the customer.

• Partner cross-functionally to support Scaled Events, ensuring FCs and stores carry the right assortment and inventory levels, and maintain healthy inventory positions throughout and after events.

• Advance the integration of AI-assisted insights into inventory positioning practice, identifying opportunities to automate repetitive, manual work and increasing the value of the team's insights so they translate into meaningful action.

• Serve as IP's lead for the transition to new Allocation systems, partnering closely with Product & Technology to deliver improved outcomes and optimize placement across both Stores and FCs.

• Partner with IP leadership to shape the placement strategy that aligns with Operations' long-term plans, ensuring the team's work ladders up to meaningful company-wide value.

• Directly lead a team of 2-3 program managers while indirectly supporting the broader 50+ person Allocation organization, setting standards and providing resources that scale across the full team.

• Lead change management across Inventory Positioning’s evolving capabilities, from new Allocation tools to new processes, partnering closely with Inventory Positioning leaders to move their teams through the change curve, from awareness to understanding, acceptance, and adoption.

• Communicate up, across, and down the org to align FC and Store inventory strategies, planning inputs, and end-to-end business outcomes.

• Bring tactical input and strategic context to weekly and monthly business reviews, focusing the team's collective effort on what moves the needle for the customer and for the company.

• Build a strong cross-functional working team through peer collaboration and leader empowerment, with a development focus on strategic thinking, managing complexity, and driving results through others.

You own this if you have…

• 6+ years of job-related experience (e.g., Supply Chain Planning, Inventory Management, Merchandise Planning and Execution), including experience leading a team or program managers.

• Demonstrated success formulating inventory strategy and leading others through implementation, not just executing it yourself.

• Strong belief and experience in data and measurement driven decision making, with comfort adopting AI-assisted tools as part of how the team works, not as a bolt-on.

• Experience leading a team through a system or platform transition, translating new capability into changed process rather than a like-for-like swap.

• Experience leading change management for teams, helping others move through resistance toward adoption.

• Delivers messages effectively to a wide range of audiences at various levels; takes steps to ensure free flow of information throughout the organization.

• Effective at driving complex, multi-stakeholder programs to desired results across functional and organizational boundaries, while managing risk.