Sr Allocations Analyst

Michaels Stores•Irving, TX

About The Position

The Senior Allocations Analyst will ensure product flow and allocation of product to stores adheres to goals of the department. This Team Member will be responsible for monitoring sales against allocation, which will include reviewing store sales analysis and stock analysis. The Senior Allocations Analyst will serve as a member of the assigned Michaels Buyer Team and act as a liaison for communication flow from merchandise tracking, distribution centers and stores. This Team Member will be a key player in developing strategies needed to achieve correct placement of goods into stores and determining the most efficient allocation strategies and is expected to actively communicate with Senior Management as well as merchants. This individual will also provide leadership to the Allocation Team. Major Activities Provide post season analysis, Demand Thru, tiers by volume group based on lost sales to assist merchants and planners develop assortment quantities. Review assortment plans with planner and buyer to optimize IP size and allocation efficiency Develop allocation strategies by analyzing historical and current selling trends to, analyze and Allocate products reserved for season to maximize sales, margin and insure coverage utilizing JDA Allocation system Analyze store product ownership, develop and execute inventory flow strategies on ongoing basis for trend or multiple wave items Adjust final store needs using stock modifiers to reflect trend due to competition, special promotions and different anomalies at any requested hierarchy level by store organization Create initial allocation plan to produce warehouse distribution for initial purchase orders Maintain (approve-disapprove or change) Purchase Order Quantities, IP Changes, Vendor related changes or any SKU set up related changes as required by Merchants Team Meet weekly deadline of releasing allocations on time in Retek/WMS to move physical inventory from cross dock distribution facilities to stores to set seasonal Plan-O-Gram in timely manner while capturing appropriate current trend Identify allocations variances and discrepancies, and work with Allocation Management to adjust methodologies or develop new logics to build new variables in JDA Allocation system Manage new store seasonal assortment/set up based on POG assignments and sister store history Follow-up with Real Estate Department/new store department/Distribution Center and field organization on timing of openings to incorporate into allocations for all seasonal product Coordinate and communicate with DC expeditors and Transportation (merchandise tracking) regarding allocation issues to streamline and prevent any errors that could occur in delaying of product Lead allocators to solve complicated system issues between AAL, Retek and WMS. This will include unscheduled pushes, clean ups, quantity exceptions, late receipts, and effective dates and quality hold issues. Compile and key in quarterly seasonal stock modifiers given by field organization into AAL Maintain and communicate Quarterly Department, Class and subclass level seasonal stock modifiers Research and respond to store inquiries regarding seasonal merchandise such as Special Customer Request, POG info, Allocated Quantity etc. When needed, work with Store Management to develop transfers, markdown and RTV strategies Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Microsoft Office Suite
Strong Excel Skills
4-5+ years allocation or inventory management experience
Analytical thinking, detail oriented, strong communication skills, strong organization and time management skills
Strong leadership and decision-making ability

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree Retail, Business, or related Field

Responsibilities

Provide post season analysis, Demand Thru, tiers by volume group based on lost sales to assist merchants and planners develop assortment quantities.
Review assortment plans with planner and buyer to optimize IP size and allocation efficiency
Develop allocation strategies by analyzing historical and current selling trends to, analyze and Allocate products reserved for season to maximize sales, margin and insure coverage utilizing JDA Allocation system
Analyze store product ownership, develop and execute inventory flow strategies on ongoing basis for trend or multiple wave items
Adjust final store needs using stock modifiers to reflect trend due to competition, special promotions and different anomalies at any requested hierarchy level by store organization
Create initial allocation plan to produce warehouse distribution for initial purchase orders
Maintain (approve-disapprove or change) Purchase Order Quantities, IP Changes, Vendor related changes or any SKU set up related changes as required by Merchants Team
Meet weekly deadline of releasing allocations on time in Retek/WMS to move physical inventory from cross dock distribution facilities to stores to set seasonal Plan-O-Gram in timely manner while capturing appropriate current trend
Identify allocations variances and discrepancies, and work with Allocation Management to adjust methodologies or develop new logics to build new variables in JDA Allocation system
Manage new store seasonal assortment/set up based on POG assignments and sister store history
Follow-up with Real Estate Department/new store department/Distribution Center and field organization on timing of openings to incorporate into allocations for all seasonal product
Coordinate and communicate with DC expeditors and Transportation (merchandise tracking) regarding allocation issues to streamline and prevent any errors that could occur in delaying of product
Lead allocators to solve complicated system issues between AAL, Retek and WMS. This will include unscheduled pushes, clean ups, quantity exceptions, late receipts, and effective dates and quality hold issues.
Compile and key in quarterly seasonal stock modifiers given by field organization into AAL
Maintain and communicate Quarterly Department, Class and subclass level seasonal stock modifiers
Research and respond to store inquiries regarding seasonal merchandise such as Special Customer Request, POG info, Allocated Quantity etc.
When needed, work with Store Management to develop transfers, markdown and RTV strategies
Other duties as assigned