Allocator

Build-A-Bear•St. Louis, MO

4h•Onsite

About The Position

The Build-A-Bear Allocator allocates merchandise and balances inventory levels across assigned merchandise categories. The role supports product launches by assigning initial inventory to stores based on launch goals, projected sales, and store selling trends. It also replenishes store inventory using system recommendations and reports, makes adjustments when needed, tracks shipments, and communicates inventory and replenishment information. The position works with planning, merchandise, buying, store, warehouse, and field teams. Performance is measured by achieving department and corporate objectives, including maintaining target inventory weeks, allocating inventory accurately by store, style, and category, making data-based decisions, using technology to meet inventory needs, communicating effectively, and exercising good judgment about escalating issues. The role is based in Build-A-Bear’s St. Louis corporate office in a typical climate-controlled office environment with sufficient lighting and ergonomic desks and chairs. A flexible work schedule is available.

Requirements

1–3 years of experience in retail sales, allocation, replenishment, planning, or inventory management.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills to interpret sales data and make allocation decisions.
Clear, professional communication with cross-functional teams.
High level of accuracy in managing inventory and data inputs.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the Microsoft Office Suite.
Familiarity with retail math.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Merchandising, or a related field.
2+ years of experience in retail allocation, replenishment, planning, or inventory management.
Knowledge of retail math and KPIs such as sell-through, weeks of supply, and turn.
Proficiency with an allocation and replenishment system.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills or experience with data analytics tools.
Conscientious, thorough, and precise approach to work.
Cooperative and supportive approach.
Comfort with established procedures and processes.
Ability to work independently and harmoniously with others.
Factual, polite, and professional communication.

Responsibilities

Allocate initial inventories for new products to stores in support of defined launch goals.
Partner with planning and merchandise teams.
Use projected company sales volume and store selling trends to assign volume grades by item.
Identify inventory needs to support three weeks of individual store sales.
Review store merchandise systems to ensure stores have received all shipped products.
Replenish individual store inventory levels based on system recommendations.
Use reports to identify and consider outliers, and make adjustments as needed.
Allocate and balance inventory levels by category and store.
Track shipments for on-time and accurate delivery.
Manage communications regarding inventory and replenishment.
Maintain specific weeks of inventory for all stores as determined by the supervisor.
Make data-based decisions and leverage technology to meet inventory needs.
Work with planners, merchants, field leaders, warehouse teams, store teams, and other Build-A-Bear partners to understand needs and communicate effectively.
Exercise good judgment about when to escalate issues.