Manager, Inventory Planning and Replenishment

Job Summary

The Manager, Inventory Planning & Replenishment (IPR) is responsible for leading a team of analysts and senior analysts while driving inventory performance across assigned categories, business units, suppliers, or strategic initiatives. This role is accountable for delivering inventory productivity, customer service, and operational performance objectives through effective planning, replenishment, and inventory optimization strategies. The Manager serves as a critical link between organizational strategy and day-to-day execution, ensuring inventory decisions support enterprise goals related to sales growth, customer availability, working capital productivity, and profitability. This role requires strong leadership, analytical expertise, business acumen, and cross-functional influence to drive results through both direct reports and business partnerships.

Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of IPR Analysts and Senior IPR Analysts.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability measures.
• Conduct performance management, career development, and succession planning activities.
• Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, collaboration, and customer focus.
• Develop technical, analytical, and leadership capabilities across the team.
• Build organizational bench strength and future leadership pipelines. Inventory Performance Management
• Own inventory performance across assigned business areas, categories, suppliers, or distribution networks.
• Drive improvements in fill rate, in-stock percentage, inventory turns, service levels, and inventory productivity.
• Monitor performance trends and proactively address emerging risks.
• Ensure inventory investments align with customer demand and business objectives.
• Balance service, inventory, operational constraints, and financial outcomes. Inventory Strategy & Decision Making
• Translate organizational objectives into inventory planning strategies and execution plans.
• Evaluate inventory risks and opportunities across the business.
• Lead decision-making processes regarding inventory investments, replenishment strategies, and service level tradeoffs.
• Develop recommendations that support long-term inventory health and business growth.
• Ensure alignment between inventory plans and enterprise priorities. Cross-Functional Leadership
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Supply Chain, Distribution Center Operations, Store Operations, Finance, and Supplier Management teams.
• Influence business decisions through expertise, data, and business insight.
• Lead discussions regarding inventory performance, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Build alignment across stakeholders with competing priorities.
• Represent the IPR organization in strategic business initiatives. Operational Excellence
• Ensure consistent execution of inventory planning and replenishment processes.
• Establish and maintain operational controls that improve inventory effectiveness.
• Identify process gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Drive standardization and best practices across planning activities.
• Monitor KPI performance and ensure accountability for results. Analytics & Business Insights
• Guide the team in developing actionable insights from inventory and operational data.
• Ensure accurate reporting and performance measurement.
• Leverage analytics to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Utilize data to identify opportunities, risks, and improvement initiatives.
• Promote fact-based decision-making throughout the organization. Continuous Improvement & Transformation
• Lead process improvement initiatives that improve inventory productivity and organizational effectiveness.
• Support implementation of planning technologies, optimization tools, and system enhancements.
• Drive adoption of new capabilities and ways of working.
• Quantify business impacts associated with improvement initiatives.
• Champion innovation and modernization efforts within the IPR organization. Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Economics, Finance, Analytics, Mathematics, or related field.
• 6-10 years of experience in inventory planning, replenishment, supply chain, merchandising, retail operations, analytics, or related disciplines.
• 2+ years of leadership experience or demonstrated leadership of projects and teams.
• Strong understanding of inventory management and replenishment principles.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives. Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in retail, automotive aftermarket, distribution, or multi-echelon supply chain environments.
• Experience managing inventory planning or replenishment teams.
• Experience with inventory optimization, forecasting, and planning systems.
• Experience supporting organizational transformation initiatives.
• Advanced proficiency with analytical and reporting tools. Physical Demands / Working Environment
• o Standard office environment with the ability to sit, stand, and operate office equipment.
• o Travel may be required occasionally.
• o Ability to work extended hours as needed during peak business cycles or project demands

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