Inventory Management Analyst

Position:         Inventory Management Analyst

Reports to:     General Manager/Buyer

Location:        Milwaukee, WI

Type:              Exempt

Summary:      The Inventory Management Analyst is accountable for inventory control procedures, shrink controls, physical inventories, inventory tracking and adjustments, item maintenance, system accuracy, and inventory reporting and analytics.

The Inventory Management Analyst works closely with Accounts Payable to ensure purchase orders, receipts, and invoices are accurately matched; inventory costs and financial records are properly maintained; and pricing, quantity, or billing discrepancies are identified and resolved efficiently to support strong financial controls and overall operational performance.

In addition, the Inventory Management Analyst supports the Buying teams with purchase order (P.O.) maintenance, new item maintenance, vendor credit management, and pricing across all retail locations.

This position also assists with training store teams, including onboarding new inventory associates and managers, as well as providing ongoing continuous improvement training.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

Inventory Analytics Responsibilities:

• Daily management of Inv_Corp email performing inventory research and adjustment requests from all retail locations and responding to all inquiries. Execute and monitor cycle count program, including item selection and adjustment reconciliation with all retail locations.
• Weekly monitoring of retail adjustment, transfer and negative inventory activity. Oversight of existing inventory management processes at retail locations including receiving, adjustments, transfers, defective merchandise, etc. Ability to identify process deficiencies and modify/create new procedures to improve inventory accuracy. Train retail associates on any changed/new procedures.
• Monitor vendor activity including shipment and billing accuracy as well as return authorizations and credits.  Create monitoring system and reporting of Accounts Payable adjustment activity.
• Develop performance metrics and reports relative to store inventory accuracy and shrink rates relative to both live and hard goods.
• Work with Buying Department on inventory issues including UPC errors, unit of measure issues, and general item maintenance.
• Perform monthly cost testing.  Become internal systems "expert" developing a strong understanding of Command inventory modules.
• Plan and lead annual physical inventories at all store locations collaborating with Store Management leadership teams.
• Support pricing execution at the store in conjunction with the buying department.

Employment Requirements:

• At least 2 years’ experience managing inventory in a retail environment with basic understanding of inventory life cycle
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field strongly preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office with a strong working knowledge of Excel, including subtotaling, filters, and pivot tables
• Basic understanding of accounting principles related to inventory including computation of average weighted cost, Accounts Payable adjustments (overages & shortages), and freight charges
• Professional demeanor with ability to train and lead store associates on inventory system concepts and procedures
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and data management with high degree of accuracy
• Strong problem solving, research, analytics and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects efficiently and meet deadlines
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as individually under minimal supervision.
• Highly effective communicator both written and verbal with the ability to build strong relationships with store personnel and vendors

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the associate is frequently required to sit and stand; reach with hands and arms; walk and talk or hear.  The associate is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 3 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

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