Manager of Planning & Inventory

Really Good Stuff is seeking a dynamic and strategic Manager of Planning & Inventory to lead our team in developing and implementing merchandise planning and inventory strategies. If you have a passion for optimizing inventory management, driving financial objectives, and fostering team growth, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities:

As the Manager of Planning & Inventory, you will be responsible for:

• Strategic Direction: Set the overall Merchandise Planning and Inventory strategy in collaboration with Supply Chain and the Director of Excelligence Inventory Management. Ensure alignment with business goals and oversee the execution of initiatives and priorities.
• Team Leadership: Lead, coach, and develop the Inventory and Planning team to achieve financial objectives, optimize inventory management, and prepare them for broader responsibilities.
• Financial Accountability: Be ultimately accountable for long-range financial goals, vendor relations, income management, forecasting accuracy, and inventory management.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work collaboratively with Supply Chain, Merchants, Sales, Amazon, and Finance to develop, align, and implement replenishment processes that drive revenue and margins.
• Process Improvement: Recommend changes in processes to improve efficiencies and ensure seamless execution of inventory and planning functions.
• Open-to-Buy Oversight: Oversee monthly company open-to-buy needs by channel, category, price, and other inventory priorities.
• Merchandise Collaboration: Collaborate with Category Merchandise Managers to ensure purchases fit within the receipt plan, delivering required sales volume, net margin, and minimizing out-of-stock situations.
• Assortment Alignment: Align with the merchandising team on assortment goals that deliver customer relevancy and exceed expectations.
• Product Planning: In partnership with merchandising and finance, develop and maintain yearly product plans by category.
• Forecasting and Risk Management: Lead the monthly forecast process, evaluate trends, and quantify risks/opportunities to provide recommendations for overall company financial objectives.
• Performance Evaluation: Evaluate actual results against the plan, identify opportunities to increase sales, reduce markdown liability, and recommend appropriate action.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Work with Supply Chain to optimize inventory movement, develop strategies to improve network flow, turn, and lower costs.
• SKU Rationalization: Identify opportunities for SKU rationalization to streamline product offerings.
• Project Management: Manage major department projects, ensuring accuracy and currency of system data for category managers. Lead the Sales & Operational planning process.
• Adaptability: Must be able to work in complex environments and be nimble with resources.
• Championing Initiatives: Champion and support new business, change, and systems initiatives that contribute to growth and a competitive edge.
• Understanding of Tariff and Duty calculations, and bonded warehouse operations.

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience overseeing planning, merchandising, and inventory in a retail environment.
• Proven ability to lead a large team with a strong focus on team member growth and development.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills at all levels of management.
• Strong business and financial analysis skills, with a solid understanding of financial measurements.
• Proficiency in retail math, including markup, margin planning, and inventory productivity measures.
• Experience in managing people and their performance, adapting to change, and prioritizing workloads.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills with extensive exposure to Senior Leadership.
• Ability to build a business case and articulate financial concepts to non-financial business partners.
• Advanced computer skills, including proficiency in VAI, JDA, Tableau, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and ChatGPT.

About Excelligence:

Excelligence Learning Corporation is a leading developer, manufacturer, and distributor of educational products and solutions, serving early childhood learning centers, elementary schools, PTAs, and consumers through its three core divisions: Supplies, Equipment, and Services.