Inventory Planner

Dairy Farmers of America•Riverside, CA

About The Position

The Inventory Planner manages finished goods inventory to meet demand and supply needs. The role prepares, monitors, and coordinates inventory status reports; proactively addresses supply shortages and stockouts; and conducts cost-savings research and data analysis to ensure key performance indicators meet established targets. The position works across planning, sales, finance, production, and other teams to maintain availability, control excess inventory, improve inventory processes, and track performance.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in supply chain or a related curriculum, or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
2 to 5 years of inventory, sales and operations planning, production planning, or related experience.
Knowledge of inventory management practices and principles.
Knowledge of company computer systems and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel, and SAP or similar ERP planning systems.
Solid communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication style to the audience.
Analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work collaboratively and elicit cooperation from management, production planning, quality teams, logistics, procurement, and other sources.
Ability to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and meet deadlines across multiple assignments or projects.
Ability to read, write, and speak English.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with supply planning, production planning, and other teams on inventory availability for customer orders.
Monitor inventory levels to maintain stock availability and minimize excesses; coordinate inventory repositioning to meet customer requirements.
Develop action plans to resolve excess and stranded inventory, working with sales, finance, and planning teams to mitigate financial impacts.
Improve inventory management processes by establishing strategies, improving systems, and creating communication procedures for stakeholders.
Oversee stock levels and material locations, apply product-rotation best practices, and develop action plans for slow-moving or obsolete materials.
Oversee disposition of distressed inventory and work with plants to minimize rework and enable timely utilization or sale of distressed inventory.
Ensure successful execution of the inventory allocation process.
Develop standard inventory reports, report trends, and track action plans.
Lead weekly and monthly inventory meetings and participate in weekly and monthly production planning meetings.
Monitor key performance metrics, including delivery in full, on time (DIFOT), inventory days on hand, and distressed inventory reduction targets.
Perform other duties as assigned.