Job Description

The Sr. Inventory Planner will be responsible for optimizing inventory levels at each node of the network and ensuring product is moving to the right location at the right time, with the right volume.  The Sr. Inventory Planner will manage the most critical or complex business categories on each team and serves as a leader regarding all inventory activities for their assigned businesses.  A best-in-class Sr. Inventory Planner will help build a long-term strategy for the category in partnership with their manager & cross functional partners across Merchandising, Marketing, Pricing, & Supply Chain.

This position is part of a Hybrid work arrangement based in Raleigh, NC that requires four days per week in office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following, other duties may be assigned:

Core Execution

• Place purchase orders from vendors to AAP Distribution Centers to maintain adequate inventory to support AAP Company Owned stores and hundreds of Independently operated stores

• Ensure that proper inventory levels are maintained by consistently reviewing KPIs such as weeks of supply and depth in-stock metrics

• Track vendor PO’s from order point to DC to ensure vendors are shipping on time and in full

• Root cause supplier issues to maintain acceptable performance

• Monitor product flow throughout the supply chain to create an excellent customer experience

• Participate in Lifecycle Management review process; determine path forward for slow moving product and obsolete inventory 

• Monitor inventory-turn performance and identify opportunities to optimize inventory levels

• Root cause analysis and troubleshooting when stores or DCs are out of stock

Collaboration/Partnership

• Leader in establishing a strong, collaborative, vendor-facing relationship to ensure expectations are defined and achieved

• Mentor and develop less experienced Inventory Analysts with day-to-day responsibilities

• Develop and foster a cohesive team environment with immediate team and cross-functional partners alike

Business Analysis/Insights

• Review KPIs and reporting against targets to provide visibility to partners and leadership. Work with key partners to measure progress against targets

• Ability to tell data-driven stories, using information from multiple sources, to provide actionable insights

• Ability to work with large amounts of data and create reports for Senior Management team

• Conduct ad hoc analysis to understand business opportunities and develop plans to address

Communication

• Effectively communicate with cross functional teams, field team members and leadership to present data and resolution 

• Demonstrate excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills to influence an optimal outcome

• Proactively communicate and resolve all issues regarding product flow from Vendor to DC to Store and resolve potential service disruptions

Qualifications:

• Advanced Excel and analytical skills required, with strong aptitude in retail math and inventory management. Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in these areas to be considered for this position.

• Experience & familiarity in inventory management systems and Software (in Blue Yonder, Relex or Manhattan Associates, or SAP)

• Self-motivated, passionate, and enthusiastic individual ready to bring energy and excitement to lead their business

• Outstanding organizational skills with a natural curiosity and interest in problem solving

• Flexible team player who thrives in environments requiring ability to effectively prioritize and delegate workload, juggling multiple concurrent projects and deliverables

• Strong sense of urgency to change, adapt, and push processes forward

• Curiosity to ask “why” behind the data and dig into the root cause opportunities.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in a planning and/or inventory management field; and

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or other related field; or

• Equivalent combination of education and/or experience

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