Inventory Planner – GSC – US

About the Role

Achieve company inventory management goals for aligned suppliers, including exemplary customer service, purchase order (PO) accuracy (cost, quantity, dates), minimal spoilage and shrink, and managing inventory to the lowest possible Days Sales Outstanding (DSO). Execute a replenishment strategy that supports supply chain efficiencies in conjunction with shipping and receiving, warehousing, order filling, picking, packing, and inventory control and records management. Utilize inventory systems to achieve optimum inventory and service levels through supplier and item-level settings, supply chain best practices, policies, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Take strategic action to maintain inventory levels while maximizing customer service levels.
• Manage Inventory DSO, aged inventory, obsolete inventory, spoilage, and shrink to achieve company goals.
• Collaborate with local, market, and corporate merchandising teams, suppliers, and other functional areas.
• Demonstrate an intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in the Manhattan inventory planning tool Demand Planning Replenishment (DPR) to drive team performance as indicated by DPR scorecards, dashboards, and merchandising KPIs.
• Work with the logistics team to maximize supply chain efficiencies.
• Collaborate and strategize with Inbound Planning to develop programs that maximize efficiencies of receiving and warehousing.
• Manage Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) count (minimum 2,300–4,000 SKUs vendor-direct, 3,500+ redistributed, or 750 purchase order perishable lines weekly) and resolve replenishment issues as required.
• Sustain performance at this level while meeting established KPIs.
• Execute purchasing of new items and ensure proper system setup in a timely manner.
• Actively process Salesforce 360 requests, including NISR and MSR requests, in a timely manner.
• Follow and react to market conditions within established corporate and market guidelines.
• Understand seasonal trends for aligned suppliers.
• Manage and understand commodity purchasing dynamics.
• Execute enterprise purchasing initiatives.
• Confirm all POs for pricing and quantity.
• Investigate and resolve late or missing POs.
• Respond to and resolve Cora requests in a timely manner.

Requirements

• High school diploma required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in Inventory Management/Purchasing. May substitute an equivalent combination of education and experience (e.g., Bachelor’s degree + 1 year of relevant experience).
• Experience working within a retail, wholesale, or distribution environment.
• Inventory Management/Purchasing experience in a distributor with 10,000+ SKUs preferred.

Skills

• Proficient Excel skills.
• Strong communication skills to address gaps in product service levels with stakeholders.
• Ability to work cross-functionally across the enterprise.
• Superb attention to detail and follow-up.
• Proactive attitude to highlight and address issues as they arise.
• Able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Adaptability to change based on company priorities.
• Understanding and execution of standard replenishment processes and best practices.
• Excellent tactical replenishment execution skills.
• Solid organizational and planning skills.
• Ability to negotiate with suppliers to execute the inventory depletion process.
• Knowledgeable of product forecasting.