Senior Director, Assortment Planning & Modeling

Job SummaryThe Senior Director, Assortment Planning & Modeling is responsible for defining and executing the enterprise assortment strategy across all channels, categories, and customer segments while leading the transformation from traditional planning methodologies to AI-powered decision-making.

This leader owns the development of advanced assortment optimization capabilities, predictive modeling, machine learning applications, and AI-driven decision support tools that improve inventory productivity, customer satisfaction, sales growth, and profitability.

The role serves as the strategic bridge between Merchandising, Inventory Planning & Replenishment, Data Science, Supply Chain, Finance, and Technology to ensure product assortments are continuously optimized through intelligent automation, predictive analytics and scalable governance frameworks. The Senior Director will lead and develop a high-performing team focused on building next-generation capabilities that enable the organization to place the right products in the right locations at the right time with minimal manual intervention.

Responsibilities

•     Enterprise Assortment Strategy
  •  Develop and execute the long-term enterprise assortment strategy.
  • Define category-specific assortment frameworks across all product lines.
  • Establish localized assortment strategies based on customer, vehicle, demographic, and market demand characteristics.
  • Lead SKU rationalization initiatives to improve inventory productivity and profitability.
  • Develop lifecycle management processes for new item introductions, product substitutions, supersessions, and obsolescence.
  • Partner with Merchandising leadership to align assortment decisions with enterprise growth objectives.
  Advanced Analytics & Optimization
  •  Leverage predictive modeling, machine learning, and optimization techniques to improve assortment decisions and inventory placement.
  • Develop analytical models that identify assortment gaps, duplication, cannibalization, and expansion opportunities.
  • Implement data-driven frameworks that anticipate customer demand shifts and emerging market trends.
  • Enable intelligent recommendation engines that support planners with scalable, explainable decision support.
  • Drive autonomous assortment recommendations through advanced optimization engines.
  • Establish AI governance processes that ensure explainability, transparency, and trust in automated recommendations.
  • Continuously improve algorithm accuracy through feedback loops and performance monitoring.
•     Advanced Modeling & Data Science
  • Lead development of predictive models supporting assortment, demand forecasting, inventory placement, and network optimization.
  • Develop customer segmentation models that improve assortment localization.
  • Establish digital twins and simulation capabilities to evaluate assortment scenarios before implementation.
  • Utilize machine learning techniques to optimize SKU productivity and category performance.
  • Build analytical frameworks that quantify the financial impact of assortment decisions.
  • Partner with technology teams to operationalize advanced models into business workflows.
  Intelligent Systems Transformation Leadership
  • Develop and execute a multi-year roadmap of assortment planning  through analytics and intelligent automation.
  • Drive organizational change management and adoption of AI-driven decision-making.
  • Transition planning teams from transactional analysis to strategic exception management.
  • Establish governance processes that balance automation with human oversight.
  • Build organizational capability around AI literacy and advanced analytics.
  • Create a culture that embraces experimentation, continuous learning, and innovation.
•     Network & Market Optimization
  • Define assortment strategies by distribution center, market, store cluster, customer segment, and channel.
  • Optimize inventory placement across the supply chain network.
  • Identify opportunities to improve fill rates while reducing inventory investment.
  • Develop market-specific assortment strategies that maximize customer relevance.
  • Utilize predictive analytics to improve inventory productivity across all stocking locations.
  Financial & Performance Management
  • Own assortment-related financial performance metrics.
  • Establish productivity targets for assortment optimization initiatives.
  • Quantify and track benefits generated from AI and advanced analytics investments.
  • Develop executive-level reporting and KPI dashboards.
  • Ensure assortment decisions support revenue growth, margin expansion, inventory turns, and cash flow objectives.
  • Partner with Finance to measure realized value from transformation initiatives.
  • Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Partner closely with Merchandising, Supply Chain, Inventory Planning, Technology, Data Science, Marketing, and Finance.
  • Influence senior executives on strategic assortment decisions.
  • Lead cross-functional steering committees focused on assortment optimization and intelligent systems adoption.
  • Align enterprise stakeholders around a common assortment strategy and operating model.
•     Team Leadershipo    
• Lead and develop a high-performing organization consisting of:
  • Directors of Assortment Planning
  • Assortment Strategy Managers
  • Data Scientists
  • Machine Learning Engineers
  • Assortment Analysts
  • Business Intelligence Specialists

o    Build succession plans and leadership pipelines.o    Establish performance expectations focused on innovation, execution, and business impact.o    Develop future-ready capabilities across the organization.

Qualifications

•     Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, Analytics, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field.12+ years of progressive leadership experience in assortment planning, merchandising, inventory optimization, analytics, or related disciplines.
•     5+ years leading large-scale transformation initiatives.Experience implementing advanced planning systems and assortment optimization tools.
•     Strong understanding of machine learning, predictive analytics, and intelligent applications in retail or distribution environments.Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive organizational change.
•     Experience leading large cross-functional teams

  LeadershipEmbodies the following values: serve, perform, influence, respect, innovate, team.

•     Delivers results and drives customer success by committing and focusing on outcomes to deliver results and making the customer the center of decisions. Strategic Vision: Creates a future-state vision where AI and advanced analytics fundamentally improve decision quality and business performance.
•     Enterprise Thinking: Balances category, customer, network, and financial objectives to optimize overall enterprise value.Digital & AI Leadership: Leverages emerging technologies to create sustainable competitive advantage.
•     Data-Driven Decision Making: Uses analytics, predictive modeling, and machine learning to improve business outcomes.Change Leadership: Successfully leads large-scale organizational transformation and adoption.
•     Talent Development: Builds high-performing teams capable of operating in a highly automated, AI-enabled environment.Executive Influence: Communicates complex analytical concepts in ways that drive executive action and alignment.
•     Innovation: Challenges traditional planning methodologies and continuously seeks new opportunities to improve performance through technology and automation.

  Physical Demands / Working EnvironmentProlonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer

•     Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing and operating office equipmentOccasional standing and walking during meetings or site visits
•     Ability to travel (air and ground) as required for business needsAbility to lift up to 15–25 pounds occasionally (e.g., laptop bag, materials)
•     Visual acuity to review documents, data, and presentationsAbility to communicate effectively in person, via phone, and in virtual settings

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