Inventory Planning Director

Lowe's Companies, Inc.•Mooresville, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Inventory Planning Director is responsible for leading the inventory planning strategy across multiple merchandise categories, channels, and distribution networks. This role provides strategic direction, leadership, and development for a team of inventory planning managers, planners and analysts while driving inventory health, service levels, in-stock performance, and working capital optimization. The Director partners cross-functionally with Replenishment, Merchandising, Assortment Planning, Supply Chain, Finance, and Store Operations to develop inventory strategies that support sales growth, profitability, and customer experience objectives. This leader uses data-driven decision-making, forecasting insights, and operational expertise to improve inventory productivity and supply chain performance across the organization. The role requires strong leadership capabilities, executive presence, analytical rigor, and the ability to influence decisions in a fast-paced retail and distribution environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Operations, Analytics, or related field and or equivalent years of experience in lieu of education requirement, if applicable
10+ years of progressive inventory planning, merchandise planning, supply chain (retail finance or demand planning), or retail operations experience.
8+ years of experience in inventory management, forecasting, replenishment, and demand planning within a retail, wholesale, omni, or distribution environment.
5+ years of leadership experience managing managers and large planning teams.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and present insights senior leadership stakeholders.
Advanced analytical, financial, and problem-solving skills.
Strong knowledge of inventory planning systems, forecasting tools, ERP platforms, and reporting applications.
Excellent communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
Proven ability to lead in a fast-paced, highly dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Operations, Analytics, or related field
Experience with SAP, Oracle, Blue Yonder, Manhattan, or similar planning systems.
Lean, Six Sigma, APICS, or related professional certifications.

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of inventory planning managers, planners, and analysts by establishing clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and development plans.
Drive change management initiatives related to planning processes, organizational transformation, and systems enhancements by championing technology enhancements, automation, and system improvements that increase planning efficiency and accuracy while improving inventory productivity.
Translate and develop inventory planning strategies aligned with sales, margin, service level, and working capital objectives while partnering with Merchandising and Finance to align inventory investments with business priorities and financial plans.
Lead planning efforts for new product launches, promotional events, seasonal transitions, and business growth initiatives by establishing inventory targets, planning parameters and seasonal inventory plans. Serve as primary vendor partner to ensure plans are executed on target.
Drive/oversee analysis of trends, sales performance, supply constraints, and customer demand patterns to guide inventory decisions that improve forecast accuracy and inventory productivity while also identifying risks, opportunities and operational improvement initiatives.
Partner with Merchandising and Category Management teams on omni assortment strategies, lifecycle planning, and inventory investments that support store and fulfillment operations by ensuring inventory availability aligns with customer expectations and operational capabilities.
Influence inventory decisions through data-driven recommendations and strategic planning expertise.