Manager Inventory Planning

Ulta Beauty, Inc.•Bolingbrook, IL

About The Position

The Manager, Inventory Planning plays a critical role within the Inventory Planning team, reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Inventory Planning. This role is responsible for managing a team of inventory analysts who execute the day-to-day operational planning and inventory management activities, including ensuring forecast properly reflects all parameters that my impact an items selling, placing purchase orders with vendors and allocating product across stores and e-commerce channels. The Manager, Inventory Planning ensures inventory is optimally positioned to meet demand, minimize stockouts and overstock, and support omnichannel fulfillment. This role partners closely with Merchants, Supply Chain, Demand Planning, and Finance to translate forecasts and business priorities into actionable inventory decisions. The Inventory Planner is also accountable for driving process consistency, team development, and operational excellence across inventory planning activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Analytics, or a related field.
5+ years of experience in inventory management, merchandising planning, supply chain, or related operational roles.
Exposure to multiple categories and/or channels is preferred; strong understanding of retail inventory operations.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience monitoring key metrics such as sales, inventory levels, and turnover.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with Merchants, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, and vendors.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Excel for analysis and reporting

Nice To Haves

Some experience leading or mentoring team members is a plus, but not required.
Proficiency with inventory and planning systems (e.g., Manhattan DFIO, SAP APO, Blue Yonder, Kinaxis, Anaplan) preferred.
Experience contributing to process improvements or operational initiatives is a plus.
familiarity with Power BI or SQL is a plus.

Responsibilities

Oversee a team of inventory analysts responsible for placing purchase orders with vendors and allocating inventory across stores and e-commerce channels.
Collaborate with Merchandise Planning and Demand Planning teams to incorporate forecasts, promotional plans, and historical sales trends into actionable inventory decisions.
Integrates their inventory planning and fulfillment team with the merchant category/department pod team to ensure smooth translation of merchant strategies into forecast, inventory buying and stocking execution.
Ensure inventory is optimally positioned to meet demand, minimize stockouts, reduce overstock, and support omnichannel fulfillment.
Monitor and analyze inventory performance, identifying variances, risks, and opportunities, and lead corrective or preventive actions as needed.
Partner with Merchants, Supply Chain, and Finance to align inventory plans with category strategies and business objectives.
Drive consistency and operational excellence in inventory processes, including purchase order management, allocations, and replenishment workflows.
Translate complex data into actionable insights and recommendations for leadership and cross-functional partners.
Support continuous improvement initiatives, including process enhancements, system optimizations, and automation opportunities to improve inventory accuracy and productivity.