The Senior Inventory Planner - School Uniforms is a senior individual contributor who partners closely with Sales, Program Management, and cross-functional teams as a commercial planning partner, translating school program demand, customer insights, and account strategies into executable inventory and supply plans. The role supports both exclusive and non-exclusive school partnerships and influences service, revenue, margin, and inventory productivity outcomes through data-driven analysis and inventory investment recommendations. Other responsibilities include analyzing historical product performance and current business trends to support seasonal merchandise/assortment planning and identifying risk and opportunities by category; conducting in-season performance tracking, reporting, and analysis; and managing processes to meet risk inventory and fulfillment goals.
Job Functions:- Develop, execute and communicate strategic PC to color plans and forecasts that supports the merchandising, marketing and financial objectives and strategies of a division/category or customer
- Deliver early commits and pre-season projections
- Drive financial results that maximize sales, customer service levels, inventory and bottom line profitability resulting in gross margin return on investment (GMROI) and inventory turn goals.
- Analyze historical data, productivity, and current trends to identify risks and opportunities.
- Recap and analyze actual key financial metrics as it relates to plan (OTB), and LY.
- Forecast in-season financial metrics and inventories on a weekly/monthly/quarterly basis.
- Actively evaluate business results, creating action steps and recommendations to ensure delivery of plan and maintain revised forecasts in system tools.
- Collaborate with sales team and merchandising to develop and communicate a comprehensive strategy that aligns future financial and product opportunities.
- Participate in company and brand initiatives as appropriate.
- Communicate financial results, forecasts, and action plans to manager and cross-functional team on a weekly basis.
- Collaborate with peers to ensure consistency of information, share best practices and develop systems knowledge.
- Present strategic inventory plans in key milestone meetings as needed
Skills: - Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.
- Demonstrate strong analytical and problem solving skills.
- Proficiency in using Item Planning, MFP, Business Objects, OBIEE, LE Mainframe, Excel, and other required PC based packages. Comfortable navigating Qlikview applications (Retail-BPT, RPT) Most of these systems go away with SAP. I wonder if we change to proficiency in excel. Prior experience with ERP systems such as SAP S/4hana. Comfortable navigating Power BI.
- Possesses a clear understanding of financial measurements which could include: sales, gross margin, gross margin return on investment, weeks on hand, weeks of supply, etc. and how to positively impact these metrics.
- Able to develop and maintain strong working relationships with peers and cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrates strong listening and communication skills; able to present business strategies and action plans.
- Executive presence to effectively present in key milestone meetings.
- 5+ years experience as a Planner (end to end responsibilities) or equivalent.
Physical Requirements- Ability to sit for long periods of time.
- Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
- Ability to travel as needed for business.
Education & Experience Requirements- Bachelor's degree in a Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance or equivalent experience
- 5+ years in inventory planning (B2B)
- Prior experience with ERP systems such as SAP S/4hana.
- Experience managing teams and working in a cross-functional environment
