Demand and Inventory Analyst

Slumberland Furniture • Oakdale, MN

10d

About The Position

The Demand and Inventory Analyst optimizes the flow of merchandise across the supply chain by forecasting demand, managing inventory levels, and generating actionable business insights. The role combines forecasting, inventory planning, and data analytics to help ensure products are in the right place at the right time while supporting sales, margin, and inventory-turn goals.

The analyst maintains SKU-level forecasts, accounts for promotions and seasonal patterns, models product lifecycle changes, and collaborates with Merchandising on sales targets, assortment strategies, and pricing. The position also manages distribution center inventory and replenishment, monitors vendor and shipment performance, and identifies ways to mitigate aging or excess inventory. It analyzes category sales and business drivers and shares insights with Merchandising, Finance, Stores, and senior management. The analyst supports operating excellence tools and builds strong relationships across business and core teams.

Requirements

• Advanced Excel skills.
• Strong analytical and data-driven capabilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to problem solve.
• Cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Attention to detail combined with strategic thinking.
• Initiative and an ownership mindset.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree preferred, particularly in Supply Chain, Business, Analytics, Economics, or Math.
• Exposure to SQL or BI tools.
• Forecasting experience, including regression, moving averages, or seasonality.
• Retail or consumer goods experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain SKU-level forecasts using statistical models and business inputs.
• Forecast promotional lifts, seasonal patterns, and event buys.
• Model new product introductions, discontinuations, and lifecycle transitions.
• Collaborate with Merchandising on sales targets, assortment strategies, and pricing changes.
• Maintain distribution center inventory levels to support in-stock percentage and GMROI targets.
• Calculate reorder points, safety stock, and weeks of supply.
• Create, edit, and approve purchase orders based on forecasts, lead times, and vendor constraints.
• Monitor late shipments, vendor fill rates, and changes in lead times.
• Manage aging, excess, and discontinued inventory through proactive mitigation.
• Collaborate on warehouse slotting and receiving prioritization as needed.
• Analyze category sales, trends, and drivers such as mix, price, and promotions, using dashboards and KPIs.
• Identify economic, competitive, weather, and marketing patterns that may affect future demand.
• Provide insights to Merchandising, Finance, Stores, and senior management.
• Use and support operating excellence tools, including work strategy, work structure, work improvement, meeting compass, and problem-solving documents.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with the business and core teams.
• Attend and contribute to meetings with the current team and additional teams as needed to support business needs.

Benefits

• Full benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision.
• Up to three weeks of paid time off in the first year, plus 24 hours of PTO given on the first day.
• 401(k) retirement plan and profit sharing.
• Yearly bonus potential.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Training and career development.
• Advancement opportunities.
• Potential franchise ownership.
• No-cost mental health and wellbeing support through the Employee Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed