Associate Inventory Analyst

Zumiez Inc•Lynnwood, WA

6h•$24 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

Our company is searching for an Associate Inventory Analyst to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical capabilities along with a passion for retail and merchandising trends. This role blends analytical rigor with merchandising intuition by using data to tell the story of what's working, what's not, and what to do about it. The ideal candidate brings strong Excel skills, foundational analytical skills, and the ability to learn to translate complex data into compelling recommendations that buying teams can act on immediately. The Inventory Analyst will partner with buyers, planners, and leadership to identify opportunities to improve profitability through optimizing in store assortment.

Requirements

0-2 years professional experience in retail, data analysis, or related analytical role
Advanced Excel proficiency (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, complex formulas, modeling)
Foundational understanding of retail concepts and KPIs (sell-through, weeks of supply, margin, turn)
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
Strong written and verbal communication (ie. able to tell compelling stories with data)
Natural curiosity about data and self-directed learning approach
Collaborative mindset and ability to build relationships across functions
Thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with entrepreneurial spirit

Nice To Haves

Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar BI tools
Familiarity with SQL or data querying
Exposure to forecasting or statistical analysis
Experience working directly with Buyers or Merchandisers
Bachelor's degree in Business, Analytics, or related field (or equivalent experience)

Responsibilities

Analyze sales trends, inventory productivity, and assortment performance to identify opportunities and risks and translate opportunities into specific, actionable recommendations for Buyers and Planners
Perform pre-season, in-season, and post-season analysis that drives buy, allocation, and markdown decisions
Partner directly with assigned buying team(s) as their embedded analytical resource
Support data engagement within the buying team through insights and tailored reports
Participate in merchandising planning meetings, bringing analytical perspective to strategic discussions
Build trust through reliability, curiosity, and focusing on topics the team cares about
Execute Key Item Planning (KIP) and Markdowns for buying teams
Support forecasting of raw materials
Learn and apply Power BI for creating self-service reports and dashboards
Leverage analytical frameworks and templates to deliver consistent, efficient analysis
Learn to train buying team members on how to interpret and use analytical tools
Continuously improve reporting efficiency and reduce manual processes
Suggest improvements to data systems and tools based on user needs