Manager Level
LEADERSHIP
- Leads the Inventory Planning team to ensure optimum store and DC inventory levels, maximizing sales, customer satisfaction and inventory productivity standards.
- Develops and implements continuously improving system and processes
- Leads insuring optimum inventory levels for directed store displays and planned promotions
- Manages and leads inventory communications including PO due dates, exceptional delivery communication, inventory disruptions and customer inventory related disclaimers
- Monitors and resolves inventory problems, responding to and identifying inventory system and process issues.
- Leads and administers Inventory Planner and other order point strategies, protocols and processes to insure optimum store and DC inventory levels. Acts as Wilco’s expert on Eagle replenishment systems and file maintenance
- Responsible for training, development, communication and performance of Inventory Planners to include development and utilization of a Buyer “Scorecard”.
- Develops and implements plans that meet or exceed inventory adjustment goals as budgeted.
- Works with Training, Accounting and Operations on issues and processes impacting Inventory
- Responsible for building and maintaining replenishment processes, which include new stores and advanced inventory build for key seasonal commodities and events
REPLENISHMENT
- Generates replenishment orders for assigned categories as needed.
- Maintains PO accuracy, keeping expected delivery dates, costs and order quantities current until PO finalization.
- Tracks PO’s to receipt and communicates status to cross-functional partners as needed.
- Monitors in-stock and communicates status updates for high-risk or chronic out of stock situations.
- Responsible for promotional item in-stock in assigned categories: documents & addresses inventory risks prior to final proof and executes timely order placement & tracking to ensure product is in stores 2 weeks prior to the Ad.
INVENTORY PRODUCTIVITY
- Tracks incoming inventory value and sales performance to planned and projected inventory levels.
- Ensures planned purchases are appropriate to achieve sales plan and align with ending inventory targets.
- Tracks excess inventory and collaborates with the category team to deploy inventory reduction tactics as needed.
- Provides actionable recommendations for exiting discontinued or ‘non-go forward’ inventory.
- Monitors KPIs and communicates status to the team – excess inventory, in-stock, turn and open to buy metrics.
SYSTEM UTILIZATION
- Actions inventory opportunities by tuning the settings and exception rules of order point calculations.
- Configures order point policies and forecast models to improve in-stock, reduce non-productive inventory and front load inventory for promotions, displays and seasonal inventory builds.
DC UTILIZATION
- Aligns with the DC to coordinate significant pushes, new store orders and other special projects.
- Coordinates and communicates collective inbound PO prioritization and outbound shipping priorities.
- Provides management with clear visibility to inventory flow plans and fulfillment strategies.
- Drives merchandising and supply chain cost savings through controlled and increased DC utilization.
- Monitors warehouse stock levels to ensure inventory investment is balanced between the DC and stores.
- Acts as gatekeeper for product transferred between stores, based on documented guidelines.
- Executes analysis required to qualify changes to DC stock programs per the ‘Fulfillment Assessment Process’
- Owns the coordination of approved fulfillment transitions for their assigned categories
SEASONAL AND PROMOTIONAL INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
- Collaborates with Merchants to develop buy plans for seasonal or promo needs ahead of booking.
- Coordinates effective inventory flow plans & exit strategies for large, planned purchases.
- Anticipates seasonal inventory needs using the seasonal inventory action calendar.
- Coordinates seasonal inventory planning meetings with the category team to align on inventory flow plans.
- Tracks sell-thru throughout season, projects ending inventory impact and provides recommendations to team.
Other Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To The Following:
- Participates in weekly meetings and attends store walks as needed.
- Creates & publishes regular reporting & analysis to drive the business.
- Completes special assigned projects and provides requested analysis, reporting or insights for management.
- Assists in training and other projects as needed to support their teams, cross-functional partners or business.
- Replenishment responsibilities for some vendors/categories
- Other duties, responsibilities and/or tasks as assigned.
