Inventory Analyst

Advance Auto Parts•Raleigh, NC

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Inventory Analyst optimizes inventory levels across each node of the network, ensuring products reach the right locations at the right time and in the right volumes. The analyst manages critical or complex business categories and leads inventory activities for assigned businesses. In partnership with their manager and cross-functional partners in Merchandising, Marketing, Pricing, and Supply Chain, the role helps develop long-term category strategies. The position places and tracks vendor purchase orders to maintain adequate inventory at Advance Auto Parts distribution centers for company-owned and independently operated stores. It monitors inventory and product flow, reviews performance metrics, resolves supplier and availability issues, and identifies opportunities to improve inventory turns and address slow-moving or obsolete products. The analyst also builds vendor and internal partnerships, mentors less experienced Inventory Planners, and uses data and reporting to provide actionable insights to partners and senior leadership. This is a hybrid position based at the corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, with four days in the office and one day remote.

Requirements

Minimum of 2–5 years of experience in planning and/or inventory management.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Advanced Excel and analytical skills, with demonstrated proficiency in retail math and inventory management.
Experience with and familiarity with inventory management systems or software, such as Blue Yonder, Relex, Manhattan Associates, or SAP.
Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to influence outcomes.
Outstanding organizational skills and an interest in problem solving.
Ability to prioritize and delegate workload while managing multiple concurrent projects and deliverables.
Strong sense of urgency and ability to adapt and advance processes.
Curiosity to investigate data and identify root causes.
Self-motivated, passionate, and enthusiastic approach to leading assigned business areas.

Responsibilities

Place purchase orders with vendors for delivery to Advance Auto Parts distribution centers to support company-owned and independently operated stores.
Review inventory KPIs, including weeks of supply and depth-in-stock metrics, to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
Track vendor purchase orders from order placement through delivery to distribution centers and monitor on-time, in-full performance.
Investigate supplier issues and identify root causes to maintain acceptable performance.
Monitor product flow throughout the supply chain to support a strong customer experience.
Participate in Lifecycle Management reviews and determine plans for slow-moving products and obsolete inventory.
Monitor inventory-turn performance and identify opportunities to optimize inventory levels.
Conduct root-cause analysis and troubleshoot store or distribution-center out-of-stock issues.
Establish collaborative, vendor-facing relationships and ensure expectations are defined and met.
Mentor and develop less experienced Inventory Planners in day-to-day responsibilities.
Develop a cohesive team environment with immediate teammates and cross-functional partners.
Review KPI and reporting results against targets, share visibility with partners and leadership, and measure progress with key partners.
Analyze information from multiple sources and communicate data-driven insights and recommendations.
Work with large datasets and create reports for the Senior Management team.
Conduct ad hoc analyses to identify business opportunities and develop plans to address them.
Present data and resolutions effectively to cross-functional teams, field team members, and leadership.
Proactively communicate and resolve product-flow issues from vendor to distribution center to store, including potential service disruptions.