Inventory Analyst I (Live Goods)

Responsibilities:

Job Family Summary: Responsible for end-to-end ownership of inventory flow, ensuring the right product is in the right place at the right time while optimizing cost and service. As demand, replenishment, and allocation specialists for H-E-B General Merchandise, Inventory Analysts turn merchant vision into profitable inventory flow by managing the entire product lifecycle, maintaining accurate demand forecasts, and planning for promotions. They drive the end-to-end supply chain by securing inbound orders, communicating with suppliers, and directing outbound distribution to stores, while strategically allocating products and optimizing markdown cadences to maximize sell-through, prevent both stockouts and overstock, and align high-level sales goals with execution.

 

Job Summary: Perform all functions of the Associate Inventory Analyst and is capable of independently managing end-to-end inventory for the Plants / Live Goods category. Analytical insights apply to improve service levels, support cross-functional initiatives, and contribute to training and onboarding of new Partners.

 

Demand:

• Entry into demand planning. Supports forecasting and demand signals with guidance. Works on low-complexity or highly structured demand environments. Focus on learning demand tools and reporting

 

Replenishment:

• Owns replenishment for complex desk OR partial ownership across functions. Begins integrating demand and allocation considerations. Provides input into flow of goods decisions. Handles more exception management.

 

Allocation:

• Focused on store allocation execution. Works on low-complexity desks with balanced SRS/turn business. Executes allocation strategies created by others. Developing understanding of demand and replenishment interplay.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

 

Inventory Management & Execution:

• Manage purchase orders and inventory levels for assigned categories with minimal supervision.
• Monitor service levels, inventory health, and replenishment effectiveness.
• Resolve inventory discrepancies and supply issues independently.
• Ensure data integrity across inventory management systems.
• Recommend inventory actions to address business needs.

 

Analytics & Insights:

• Analyze sales, inventory, and performance trends to identify opportunities and risks.
• Develop ad hoc analyses and reporting.
• Conduct root cause analyses for inventory and service issues.
• Recommend replenishment, allocation, and inventory optimization actions.
• Monitor performance of seasonal and promotional programs.

 

Inventory & Flow Coordination:

• Coordinate inventory activities across Supply Chain, Transportation, Warehouse, and Merchandising teams.
• Support execution of inventory strategies for promotions and seasonal events.
• Manage product lifecycle inventory transitions.
• Proactively identify and communicate inventory constraints and risks.

 

Stakeholder Management:

• Build collaborative relationships with vendors and internal business partners.
• Communicate inventory performance, exceptions, and recommendations.
• Influence routine inventory decisions through data-driven insights.

 

Process Improvement/Project Work:

• Participate in cross-functional projects focused on inventory optimization.
• Recommend process improvements to enhance service, inventory productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Support training and adoption of new tools and processes.

The responsibilities and essential functions outlined above describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Duties and responsibilities may be modified at any time based on business needs. Employees may be required to perform other job-related tasks as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.

Qualifications & Key Requirements:

 

Intermediate individual contributor in a professional role. Works independently within an established framework, receiving detailed instructions only on new assignments. Possesses specialized knowledge and skills required to perform the role. Applies practical knowledge, learned theories, concepts, principles, and methodologies to difficult but non-complex, conventional assignments. Majority of work efforts are focused on meeting objectives related to implementation or delivery of processes, programs, and/or policies.

 

Builds productive internal and external working relationships.

Work Experience:

• 2+ years of relevant experience preferred

 

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Preferred experience working with categories such as Plants or Live Goods.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Applies analytical skills to identify and resolve inventory issues.
• Communicates recommendations and business impacts to stakeholders.
• Balances inventory investment with service level objectives.
• Contributes to continuous improvement initiatives.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or additional role-relevant experience

Licenses/Certifications:

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

• Function in a fast-paced, office environment
• Travel by car or plane with overnight stays
• Work extended hours; sit for extended periods.
• Occasionally lift 20 lbs or more

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Last revised: 08/31/2026

PROC3232