INVENTORY PLANNER - SHIPS STORES

NEXCOM•Virginia Beach, VA

About The Position

Coordinates inventory flow to support merchandise and financial goals. Continuously analyzes business and recommends/implements strategies and actions to drive sales, productivity, and profitability.

Requirements

A Total of 6 years of experience, consisting of the following:
GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Three years of experience in professional, technical or other responsible work which enabled the applicant to gain a knowledge of retail practices and demonstrated skill in retail merchandise planning, demand forecasting, inventory management, allocation or replenishment, supply chain optimization, financial planning, or financial analysis dealing with operating personnel; and the ability to analyze problems and recommend practical solutions using sound judgment.
OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: 1 year of academic study above the high school level may be substituted for nine months of experience, up to a maximum of a four-year bachelor's degree in business, merchandising, or related field, or a combination of education and/or general experience.
AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Three years of progressively responsible experience in merchandise planning and allocation including: Procurement Replenishment practices, methods and procedures; Developing and managing an open to buy system; Developing and validation of seasonal financial plans and trends; Preparation of Forecast inventory projections and develop strategies to maximize opportunities and mitigate risk; Monitoring and maintenance of sales, inventory levels and stock turns; Review and analysis of sales, inventory and profit trends; Database/spreadsheet software applications; or similar responsible work that demonstrated the knowledge and ability within one or more operational or merchandising areas of non-appropriated fund or private sector retail management.

Responsibilities

Directs the distribution of goods to sales, profitability, inventory turnover, and customer satisfaction across areas of responsibility.
Determines proper ratio of DC, Store, and pipeline inventory for all items; develops and modifies replenishment parameters as needed on all basic reorder items; ensures basic stock levels are consistent with approved planograms and store sizes.
Partners with Forecast Analyst to review and adjust forecast parameters for seasonal and/or advertised items.
Ensures featured product is in stock at locations participating in advertising events.
Considers overall health of the supply chain when making business decisions; Identifies and implements supply chain efficiencies;
Actively participates in Supplier/Merchant meetings by communicating supply chain opportunities, concerns, and successes, including collaboration on forecasted needs.
Proactively identifies cost-saving opportunities with product distribution and partners with distribution and merchant teams to implement.
Effectively communicates with internal and external customers to address in-stock and supply chain concerns and/or opportunities.
Monitors aged inventory and identifies opportunities to mitigate risk, providing recommendations to the merchants for action.
Ongoing review and maintenance of replenishment snapshot metrics to include POG Accuracy, NIS Causes and other related metrics.
Uses allocate to purchases seasonal, fashion and promotional one time buys; ensuring accurate quantities and inventory levels meet sales demand at an item location level.
Monitors and evaluates Open-to-Buy on a weekly basis; assesses risk and recommends action accordingly; prepares reports and actionable business analysis as needed.
Identifies and challenges items that could have a negative impact on inventory and turn due to their low performance; Makes preventative recommendations and takes action to reduce aged inventory and ensure exit strategy is adhered to.
Conducts store visits as appropriate to evaluate merchandise presentation, stock assortments and inventory levels.
Works closely with store management to address and maximize business opportunities.
Responsible for the supervision and development of subordinate staff as appropriate.
Performs other related duties as assigned.