Allocation Analyst

Designer Brands Inc. • Columbus, OH

1d

About The Position

The Allocation Analyst executes allocation strategies for an assigned product category, helping ensure the right inventory reaches the right stores at the right time. The role works closely with Merchandising and Planning partners to shape product flow, improve in-stock performance, and support financial goals across the business. It is a hands-on, collaborative position in which analysis and recommendations contribute to store performance and customer experience.

Requirements

• 1–2 years of experience in allocation, planning, analytics, or retail inventory management.
• BA or BS degree required, preferably in a business-related field.
• Strong analytical skills, including proficiency in retail math.
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and draw actionable insights.
• Excel knowledge and skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to partner across teams and levels.
• Ability to clearly share insights, recommendations, and the rationale behind decisions.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Comfortable making judgment-based decisions and solving problems independently.
• Able to adapt quickly in a fast-paced, evolving retail environment.
• Team-oriented, with a shared focus on achieving common goals.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with retail allocation systems such as Blue Yonder/JDA, Oracle, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Execute allocations for an assigned product category in alignment with assortment strategy and store capacity.
• Monitor product performance at the store and item level; identify risks and opportunities to improve productivity and maximize in-stocks, and propose actionable recommendations.
• Partner with Merchants and Planning to understand assortment strategies and product life cycles and inform allocation strategy.
• Participate in weekly cross-functional meetings, hindsight discussions, and pre-season discussions.
• Contribute to process improvements that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and automation within the allocation system.
• Develop and maintain ad hoc reporting to analyze performance and support allocation strategy.
• Share insights and recommendations with cross-functional teams.
• Use data to inform decisions, identify trends, risks, and opportunities, and clearly communicate findings to cross-functional teams.

Benefits

• Benefits package including free virtual health care and family/fertility benefits.
• 401(k) with match.
• Hybrid and remote work opportunities.
• Training programs, professional development, and education assistance.
• 30% discount at DSW and discounts across the company's family of brands.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level