Inventory Planner

Leslie's•Phoenix, AZ

42d•Hybrid

About The Position

Leslie's Pool Supplies is the "World's Largest Retailer of Swimming Pool Supplies." With over 1,000+ retail stores in 39 states plus PRO, Service, E-Commerce, Production, and Distribution divisions, there are many career opportunities at Leslie's. With over 60 years of providing best-in-class products and solutions to our customers, there is nothing that we value more than the development and growth of our team. We strive to create a positive and fun atmosphere where our Team Members feel valued and are enthusiastic about the contributions they make to the success of Leslie's. This position is based at our corporate office in Phoenix, AZ, and follows a hybrid work schedule. Remote work is not available for this role. Candidates must reside within commuting distance, as relocation assistance is not provided. Additionally, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer-sponsored visa support. The Inventory Planner will be responsible for end-to-end product life cycle product management. This position will need to be a vocal leader in a team setting. This position’s number one objective is keeping product in stock in over 900 Leslie’s stores. This position will require a strong ability to forecast product sales and manage inventory levels to an Open to Buy plan. The position will require clear vendor communication of pre-season planning expectations and in season inventory management. Job entails ordering both inbound into the Distribution Centers and flowing product to stores. The goal will be to maximize company sales and margin, whether it be reducing inventory on slow-selling items or chasing down fast-moving inventory to stay in stock.

Requirements

Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with vendors, distribution centers, and Category Directors.
Monitor daily business performance to make accurate inventory investment decisions for the right stores and DCs.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access).
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize workload, proactively complete tasks, and maintain a strong eagerness to learn.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, or a related field, or a minimum of 1 year of experience in a retail environment.
Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Experience with JDA, AS400, and Blue Yonder is a plus.
Experience with JDA or AS400 a plus.

Responsibilities

Place, maintain, and track purchase orders (POs) accurately.
Ensure orders align with vendor lead times and allow sufficient time for fulfillment.
Ensure all POs fit within the defined Open-to-Buy plan.
Create new POs and manage PO splits as needed.
Monitor sales performance to make informed decisions on PO pull-ins or push-outs.
Follow up on all POs to ensure timely delivery.
Manage backorder fulfillment and report on outstanding items.
Forecast inventory needs and manage replenishment cycles.
Handle forecast exceptions and adjust plans accordingly.
Maintain proper replenishment parameters to avoid stockouts or overstock.
Monitor order cycles and adjust as necessary for optimal inventory flow.
Handle discrepancy reports from distribution centers (DCs).
Process Return to Vendor (RTV) transactions as needed.
Resolve inventory discrepancies efficiently and accurately.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, pharmacy, dental, & vision plan options
Health savings account (with enrollment in the high deductible health plan option)
Health & dependent care flexible spending accounts
Company-paid basic life insurance
Voluntary supplemental life insurance
Company-paid short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
Pre-tax and Roth 401(k) with company match
Paid sick and bereavement leave
10 paid holidays, including a floating personal day
Employee assistance and wellness programs
Free onsite health clinic
Hybrid work schedule
Product discounts at Leslie’s Retail stores