Senior Director of Inventory Planning & Replenishment

Description At Northern Tool + Equipment we get up every day to serve the tradespeople who keep our country running strong and the weekend warriors who want to work like them. It’s our mission to make sure they have the right tools for the job, and an easy, hassle-free experience at our store so they can get in, get out and get on with the job at hand. Your top priority as a Senior Director of Inventory Planning & Replenishment is to be accountable for enterprise-wide inventory strategy, forecasting, financial planning, and execution across Northern Tool + Equipment. This leader ensures the organization delivers optimal in-stock performance while effectively managing inventory investment, working capital, and profitability. This role owns the end-to-end inventory planning function—driving a system-based, SKU-level planning model that integrates forecasting, replenishment, and financial plans. This position partners closely with Merchandising, Finance, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership to align demand, inventory, and financial outcomes while building a scalable, disciplined operating model. Your positive, professional, roll-up-your-sleeves-to-help attitude contributes to our winning culture and makes sure we leave a lasting impression. Key Responsibilities: Enterprise Inventory Strategy Define and lead the company’s inventory strategy, including segmentation (A–F ranking), service level targets, and replenishment approaches. Establish enterprise inventory policies and guardrails balancing service, working capital, and profitability. Define and govern enterprise tradeoffs between service levels, inventory investment, and financial performance, ensuring clear decision rights and alignment across functions. Drive alignment on standardized inventory planning methodologies across all categories and channels. Own long-term inventory roadmap including systems, process, and operating model evolution. Forecasting Ownership & Demand Integrity Establish enterprise forecasting framework, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and accountability. Own integration of merchant input, historical data, and system-driven forecasting (E3) into a single demand signal. Ensure forecasts are SKU-level, actionable, and aligned to promotions, lifecycle, and seasonality. Drive forecast accountability across Merchandising and Planning teams. Financial Planning, Budgeting & Inventory Investment Own inventory alignment to financial outcomes, including sales, margin, and working capital targets. Partner with Finance to lead annual budgeting, monthly forecasts, and in-season reforecasting. Ensure inventory decisions support enterprise financial commitments. Drive visibility to tradeoffs between service, inventory investment, and margin. Replenishment & Execution Excellence Ensure system-driven replenishment execution across stores, DCs, and direct channels. Drive a fully exception-based operating model, where teams focus on prioritized risks and opportunities rather than manual, item-level intervention. Hold teams accountable for ordering tied to promotions, programs, and key items. Establish and drive ladder planning for priority SKUs, ensuring alignment between demand forecasts, manufacturing commitments, and inventory execution, with clear visibility to risks, gaps, and required actions. Drive improvements in lead time accuracy, vendor performance, and inventory flow. Ensure alignment with sourcing and vendor partners on lead times, supply commitments, and production plans to support inventory and service targets. Inventory Performance & KPI Ownership Establish and own enterprise KPIs: In-stock / service levels, forecast accuracy, inventory turns / WOS, backorders / fill rate, GMROI and inventory productivity. Deliver consistent executive reporting with clear actions and risk visibility. Drive root-cause analysis and corrective action across teams. Cross-Functional Leadership & SIOP Serve as the primary inventory planning partner to Merchandising, Finance, Supply Chain, and Operations. Partner with Manufacturing to establish and drive a clear, accountable SIOP process that connects forecasting, production planning, and inventory execution, ensuring alignment to service levels, inventory targets, and financial commitments. Lead cross-functional alignment on priorities, tradeoffs, and execution timing. Ensure accountability across teams for delivery against plans. Technology, Data & Operating Model Leadership Own inventory planning systems strategy, roadmap, and adoption (E3, JDE). Ensure a single system of truth and eliminate shadow planning. Partner with IT and Analytics to build reporting, forecasting tools, and dashboards. Drive automation, standardization, and scalability across planning processes. Leadership & Talent Development Build, develop, and retain a high-performing inventory planning organization. Establish clear roles, ownership, and accountability across team structure. Develop bench strength and succession plans. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. What you will bring to the table: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Operations, or related field (MBA preferred). 10+ years of progressive inventory planning, demand planning, or supply chain experience. 5+ years of leadership experience managing professional-level teams. Demonstrated success driving inventory optimization and business performance improvements. Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing inventory investments and working capital. Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities. Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and influencing senior stakeholders. Knowledge of SIOP, demand planning, and advanced inventory management methodologies. Experience within retail, e-commerce, wholesale distribution, or multi-channel environments. Experience with inventory optimization, forecasting, ERP, replenishment, and planning systems. Represents Northern Tools Core Values. About Us Northern Tool + Equipment is a family business with roots stretching back three generations to Minnesota’s Iron Range, where our blue-collar work ethic and commitment to serving the people who do the tough jobs was born. Our mission is to be the best in the world at serving the professional tradespeople and those who want to work like them. With over 130 retail stores across 24 states, top national brands and global manufacturing operations designed to create our own specialized tools and equipment, we are busting our knuckles to deliver the products, prices and advice our customers need to succeed. We’re looking for people who share our blue-collar work ethic. If you’re the kind of person who likes to put your nose to the grindstone to help your customers and company succeed, we’d love to talk to you about becoming a member of our team. Northern Tool + Equipment is proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Top Midsize Employer in 2023. We are committed to creating a workplace where your contributions are valued, and your professional growth is encouraged. When you join our team, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive and competitive compensation package that includes: Competitive Pay: Earn $163,000 to $205,000 annually, with your exact compensation personalized based on your skills, experience, and location. We believe in rewarding top talent with pay that reflects your value. Variable Pay: Variable pay is a component of compensation that can fluctuate based on performance, results, or specific metrics, rather than being a fixed amount like a salary. Annual bonus tied to company performance are paid annually. Incentive plans tied to an achievement-based outcome are generally paid monthly to quarterly. The NTE AIP plan pay ranges from 5% to 100% of base salary. Eligibility is based on grade and roles that manage performance. Eligibility and payouts are outlined in the NTE AIP policy. Flexible Work Schedule: Achieve the work-life balance you deserve with our full-time, 8-hour shifts, Monday – Friday, complemented by a hybrid work schedule that allows you to work both remotely and in the office. Comprehensive Benefits Package: Your health and well-being are our priority. We offer a variety of health plans, so you can choose what best fits your needs. Employees working 30+ hours per week enjoy a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and a 401(k) plan with an enhanced company match to support your financial future. Generous Employee Discount: Love our products? So do we! Enjoy a significant discount on the quality tools and equipment we offer, helping you save on the items you love to use. Get Paid on Your Terms: With our Daily Pay option, you don’t have to wait for payday—access your earnings whenever you need them for added financial flexibility. Paid Holidays: Take time to relax and recharge with 7 paid federal holidays, because we know how important it is to have time for yourself and your loved ones. Incentives: Be rewarded for eligible incentive programs. When you join Northern Tool + Equipment, you're not just starting a job—you're joining a community that supports your success. Come be a part of a team where your skills, dedication, and passion are recognized and celebrated. Your future starts here!