Inventory Planning Manager

Ideal Living•Sherman Oaks, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Inventory Planning Manager is responsible for maintaining a clear and accurate picture of inventory health across all brands and channels. This role goes beyond maintaining reports – it requires active analysis, proactive identification of risks, and data-driven recommendations that enable the business to make informed purchasing and operational decisions. The right candidate is highly detail-oriented, follows through on every task, and communicates clearly and confidently with stakeholders across the organization.

Requirements

Exceptionally detail-oriented with a track record of catching errors and maintaining accuracy under pressure.
Strong follow-through – tasks get done without needing follow-up to confirm completion.
Clear, direct communicator with stakeholders at all levels.
Proactive by nature.
Analytical mindset – able to work with large datasets, identify trends, and turn findings into actionable recommendations.
High proficiency with Excel and inventory planning tools; Microsoft Business Central experience a plus.
Bachelor's degree required; 3-5 years of experience in inventory planning, procurement, demand planning, or a similar role.

Nice To Haves

Microsoft Business Central experience

Responsibilities

Review and analyze weeks of stock across all skus on a regular cadence, identifying items at risk of overstock or stockout and escalating findings proactively.
Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies between the ERP, warehouse systems, and planning files – identifying root causes and ensuring records are accurate and reconciled.
Compare forecasts against actual sales movement, identify meaningful variances, and translate those findings into clear, actionable insights for the team.
Develop and maintain a strong understanding of each brand's inventory position so that risks are surfaced early.
Perform regular sanity checks on planning data to validate assumptions and catch errors before they impact purchasing decisions.
Propose purchase order quantities based on target weeks of supply, taking into account cash flow considerations, lead times, manufacturing origin, and any known supply or demand constraints.
Monitor open purchase orders to ensure they are on track, communicating proactively when orders need to be accelerated or delayed based on current inventory position.
Maintain the PO Tracker with a high degree of accuracy – clearing errors, updating statuses, and ensuring the tracker is always a reliable source of truth.
Follow up with vendors and internal stakeholders on PO timing, shipment confirmations, and any changes that may impact inventory availability.
Flag any PO discrepancies or anomalies immediately and resolve them before they affect downstream planning or cash flow reporting.
Lead domestic vendor RFP processes on a regular cadence to ensure pricing remains competitive and the right supply partners are in place.
Obtain and evaluate pricing across all relevant components – ensuring all cost factors are accounted for and nothing is overlooked in the analysis.
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with vendors and suppliers, ensuring clear communication on lead times, order commitments, and any supply constraints.
Attend relevant tradeshows annually to stay current on industry developments, supplier relationships, and sourcing opportunities.
Gather updated forecasts from marketing and sales teams, compare to actual movement, and apply adjustments to inventory planning accordingly.
Lead the weekly inventory planning process, including preparation of the planning file, identification of key risks, and presentation of recommendations to the team.
Maintain accurate demand assumptions and adjust forecasts when sales trends, promotions, or other factors cause material changes in expected movement.
Ensure all planning outputs are audit-ready and clearly documented so any team member can follow the logic and assumptions behind each recommendation.
Communicate inventory status, risks, and recommendations clearly and in a timely manner to key stakeholders including operations, brand teams, customer service, and executive leadership.
Provide regular updates on backorder status, inbound POs, and projected stock availability to the teams that depend on that visibility.
Respond to stakeholder requests promptly and with accuracy.
Proactively flag emerging inventory risks before they become organizational issues – the expectation is to identify problems, not react to them.