This strategic leadership role is responsible for driving inventory planning excellence across Center Store categories - including Dry Grocery, Chill Grocery, Adult Beverage, and Whole Body. The position establishes the foundational inventory planning strategies and operations that enable continuous in-stock improvement, balancing near-term execution with long-term strategic vision.
Key job responsibilities
Strategic Direction and Inventory Planning Excellence
• Establish strategic direction for item lifecycle management and annual goal setting for the Center Store Inventory Planning Team, enabling continuous event-based in-stock improvement with a bias for near-term action as well as long-term strategic planning and execution.
• Develop and execute item lifecycle inventory planning strategies and operations for Center Store (Dry Grocery, Chill Grocery, Adult Beverage, and Whole Body), serving as the foundation for all inventory planning work.
• Deliver in-stock KPI improvements across lifecycle inventory planning events including new item launches, item data maintenance, promotional event forecasting, sell-through inventory management, and item exit strategies.
• Identify capability gaps and establish development roadmap for annual Operational Planning submissions (OP1/OP2).
• Influence broad organizational strategic direction on inventory planning best practices and advocate for investments that drive customer and business outcomes.
Performance Management and Data Excellence
• Create and maintain high-quality data integrity mechanisms and measurement for data inputs and outputs across the inventory planning ecosystem.
• Participate in monthly business review practice for key stakeholders to track against performance KPIs, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
• Monitor and optimize key performance metrics (in-stock rates, fill rates, inventory turns, sell-through, and shrink) and lead team to adjust tactics to meet operational targets.
• Implement data-driven processes to support decision-making and optimize access to insights that maximize strategic visibility.
Leadership and Team Development
• Lead and develop a leadership team with oversight to inventory planning, item management, and distribution center of excellence for Center Store categories.
• Demonstrate exceptional team development practices through performance management, coaching, and succession planning.
• Build a pipeline of talent, hire for all roles, develop those in role, and support WWGS Employee growth and development.
• Exemplify excellent change management and agility skills to support new process and team change adoption.
• Actively model and reinforce Whole Foods Market and Amazon values and culture, setting a strong example for the entire organization.
Stakeholder and Supplier Partnerships
• Establish and maintain win-win relationships with third-party distributors, suppliers, and cross-functional partners, fostering collaboration and mutual success.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of retail inventory management and supply chain inventory flow to serve a broad group of stakeholders including Suppliers, Category Merchants, Operations, Supply Chain, and Distributors.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to define, clarify, and resolve issues related to supply management and performance expectations.
• Develop deep, credible relationships with senior-level executives, both inside and outside current areas of responsibility.
Operational Excellence
• Lead with a store-level, customer-centric mindset to support operational excellence in inventory availability.
• Partner with supply chain and store operations to resolve execution gaps and improve in-stock performance.
• Streamline processes to enhance quality and improve overall operational excellence, leading to greater competitiveness and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee and advise direct leadership team on task and project-related issues and assist with overcoming barriers.
• Connect the dots across markets, customers, partners, and programs to identify interdependencies and long-term growth opportunities.
About the team
Inventory teams of Dry Grocery, Chill Grocery, Adult Beverage, and Whole Body.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience defining KPI's/SLA's used to drive multi-million dollar businesses and reporting to senior leadership
- 3+ years of demand planning and forecasting experience
- Experience in verbal and written communication for executive level leaders
- Experience building and cultivating relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Experience leading and transforming highly effective organizations
- Experience conducting sophisticated and creative analysis of complex data and translate the results into actionable deliverables, messages, and presentations
- Experience hiring and developing strong talent and building a team
- Experience in creating process improvements with automation and analysis, or experience in solving complex business challenges by delivering accurate and timely financial models, analysis, and recommendations that have a proven impact on business (e.g., financial savings, operational improvements, or customer benefits)
- Deep knowledge of inventory management operations, item lifecycle management, and supply chain flow.
- High emotional intelligence, agility, and a servant leadership mindset.
- Strong business acumen, with experience analyzing operational, financial, and market data to inform strategy and enhance performance.
- Demonstrated nuanced understanding of the WFM or WWGS business, food retail industry, and the business models of key strategic partners and competitors.
- Established leadership presence with experience maintaining a poised, credible, and confident demeanor in high-pressure situations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- • BA/BS degree and 8+ years of experience in Inventory Planning, Supply Chain, and/or Merchandising roles OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- • 6+ years of proven success in leadership of inventory planning, supply chain, or retail operations management.
