What are the responsibilities and job description for the Inventory Planner position at Flip Flop Shops?
Inventory Planner – Job Description
Position Title: Inventory Planner
Department: Franchise Operations / Merchandising
Reports To: Director of Franchise Operations
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Position Summary
The Inventory Planner ensures that every Flip Flop Shops location has the right products, in the right quantities, at the right time. This role is responsible for purchasing, replenishment, forecasting, and inventory accuracy across the franchise network. The Inventory Planner leverages data-driven insights to optimize product flow, support franchisee sales performance, and strengthen vendor relationships — ensuring alignment with Flip Flop Shops’ brand standards, merchandising goals, and financial targets.
Key Responsibilities
Inventory Planning & Forecasting
- Develop and maintain seasonal and annual demand forecasts for all product categories.
- Analyze sales trends, regional performance, and historical data to build accurate replenishment models.
- Create store-level allocation strategies to maximize sell-through, minimize stock-outs, and reduce excess inventory.
- Collaborate with franchisees to incorporate local market insights into inventory planning and buying decisions.
Purchasing & Vendor Coordination
- Partner with brand and vendor partners to ensure timely product availability and resolve supply chain challenges.
- Provide franchisees with actionable data and recommendations for inventory purchases based on performance metrics.
- Support franchisees in developing strong vendor relationships that align with corporate buying timelines and assortment strategies.
- Monitor open-to-buy budgets and purchase order flow to ensure healthy inventory levels.
Inventory Management & Accuracy
- Monitor SKU performance, aging inventory, and overall stock health across all locations.
- Lead initiatives for inventory optimization, including SKU rationalization, best-seller forecasting, and slow-mover reduction.
- Maintain product data integrity in systems (RICS or equivalent) and assist franchisees with audits, variance resolution, and reporting accuracy.
Product Flow & Merchandising Support
- Work closely with the Merchandising Team to align product assortments with brand storytelling and seasonal strategies.
- Provide franchisees with detailed guidance on order quantities, category mix, and key product priorities.
- Support new store openings by creating initial buy plans, opening assortments, and inventory setup templates.
- Coordinate with Logistics and Distribution to ensure timely deliveries and replenishments.
Reporting & Analysis
- Prepare and analyze weekly/monthly reports on:
- Sell-through and stock-to-sales ratios
- Out-of-stock and aging inventory
- Markdown and clearance recommendations
- Present insights and actions to leadership to drive higher inventory turnover and profitability.
- Identify trends and recommend proactive adjustments to assortment, buying, or allocation strategies.
Systems & Process Management
- Standardize best practices for inventory management across all Flip Flop Shops locations.
- Improve workflows for purchase orders, receiving, SKU tracking, and data accuracy.
- Train and support franchisees and internal team members on systems, dashboards, and planning tools to build capability and consistency.
Required Skills & Qualifications
- 2–4 years of experience in inventory planning, allocation, replenishment, or retail operations.
- Advanced analytical, forecasting, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency with inventory/POS systems (RICS preferred) and Excel/Google Sheets (pivot tables, formulas, etc.).
- Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines across diverse franchise locations.
- Retail or footwear industry experience preferred.
Key Attributes
- Highly detail-oriented and data-driven.
- Strong understanding of retail inventory flow and product lifecycle.
- Proactive problem-solver who anticipates issues before they escalate.
- Collaborative team player with a service-oriented mindset toward franchise partners.