Director, Inventory Management

Meijer•Grand Rapids, MI

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

As a family company, we serve people and communities. When you work at Meijer, you’re provided with career and community opportunities centered around leadership, personal growth and development. Consider joining our family – take care of your career and your community! Meijer Rewards Weekly pay Scheduling flexibility Paid parental leave Paid education assistance Team member discount Development programs for advancement and career growth Please review the job profile below and apply today! The Director, Inventory Management leads, develops, and directs all aspects of inventory strategy and execution at Meijer. This role leads the cross-functional partnership across the company (merchandising, planning, supply chain, operations, IT) to optimize inventory levels across all nodes of the supply chain, enabling financial results, and deliver a best-in-class customer experience in regard to in stock and on shelf availability. The Director provides strategic and tactical leadership to a team of inventory professionals, ensuring alignment with company goals and initiatives. Position follows hybrid schedule: Monday-Wednesday in Grand Rapids MI corporate office, Thursday-Friday remote.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree; 10+ years of experience in inventory management, planning, or replenishment, with increasing responsibility and proven leadership.
Strategic agility with the ability to see ahead clearly and anticipate future consequences and trends accurately.
Superior analytical, negotiation, and strategic planning skills.
Excellent communication skills, with strong critical thinking and attention to detail.
Knowledge of the retail industry, with specific understanding of supply chain/inventory/technology trends.
Results-focused, using performance targets and goals to drive self and team success.
Experience leading and building effective teams, with proven ability to build relationships, lead and influence across other organizations of the company.
Office computer skills with the ability to learn company systems and tools.

Responsibilities

Drive the strategic direction of inventory management, ensuring alignment with company goals.
Collaborate with Planning, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Operations, and IT leaders to develop and execute inventory strategies that deliver financial objectives and maximize ROI.
Influence and partner with others outside of the organization to advance inventory practices and support future growth.
Provide leadership, coaching, and development to large teams (Inventory Managers and Business Analysts) as well as partner with cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and ownership.
Responsible for key human resource functions for the total team including: staffing, performance evaluations, identifying developmental opportunities, salary administration, succession planning, and adherence to company policy.
Model and enforce fact-based analysis to drive inventory decisions across the team.
Design, implement, and coach inventory strategies and standardized processes to support the balance of new, carryover, and discontinued merchandise, driving key KPIs (sales, margin, in-stock, on-shelf availability, turn, DMROI, backroom inventory).
Lead inventory review meetings, highlighting the current state of the business and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Drive accountability within the team to seek out in-season opportunities to maximize sales, margin, inventory turn, in-stocks/OSA, and DMROI.
Approve product flow strategies for both domestic and import programs to deliver optimum profit while ensuring alignment with overall Meijer supply chain strategies.
Collaborate with merchandising leadership (GVP/VP/Director) to manage and develop relationships with key vendors, defining strategies and reinforcing corporate guidelines that drive profitability and manage inventory investment.
Ensure timely and accurate communication with internal stakeholders and external partners to resolve day-to-day inventory and allocation issues.
Partner with internal stakeholders to review, update, and continuously improve our inventory tools, processes, and technology.
Provide regular executive reporting and analysis on inventory levels, allocation performance, and supply chain efficiency to senior management.
Accountable for managing resolution of key issues affecting internal and external customers, including product flow, supply chain strategies, over-stocks/out of stocks.
Demonstrate flexibility, resiliency, and curiosity in a dynamic business environment.
Recommend and lead positive change throughout the organization.