Description
The Inventory Planner – Expert is responsible for driving inventory optimization across a complex global supply chain, balancing inventory investment, supply availability, revenue commitments, and working capital objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute inventory plans across finished goods, components, raw materials, and strategic inventory buffers.
- Own inventory target recommendations, safety stock policies, and buffer optimization using MEIO and advanced planning methodologies.
- Evaluate inventory positioning across suppliers, manufacturing locations, regional hubs, and distribution centers.
- Analyze demand variability, supply constraints, lead times, service-level requirements, and replenishment strategies.
- Identify opportunities to reduce excess inventory while maintaining supply continuity and customer commitments.
Inventory Health & Financial Management
- Monitor inventory performance, including inventory turns, days of inventory, excess and obsolete (E&O), aging, and inventory coverage.
- Develop inventory projections and identify risks to quarterly and annual inventory targets.
- Partner with Finance, Supply Planning, Procurement, and Manufacturing to develop inventory reduction and working capital improvement opportunities.
- Conduct root-cause analysis of inventory variances and develop corrective action plans.
Advanced Analytics & Planner of the Future
- Leverage AI/ML, predictive analytics, automation, and scenario modeling to improve inventory planning decisions.
- Develop analytical models to evaluate inventory trade-offs, supply risks, and financial implications.
- Support digital transformation initiatives, including MEIO, MRP Digital Twin, and inventory health dashboards.
- Identify opportunities to automate manual inventory reporting, analysis, and decision-making.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Fulfillment, and Finance to align inventory strategies with business objectives.
- Lead complex inventory improvement initiatives across multiple product portfolios and manufacturing partners.
- Provide data-driven recommendations to business leaders on inventory investments, supply continuity, and financial trade-offs.
- Mentor junior planners and contribute to process standardization and continuous improvement.
Education and Experience
- Typically 6–10 years of experience in inventory planning, supply chain planning, materials management, operations, or related functions.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business, Finance, or related field; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
- Experience with global manufacturing, complex supply networks, and inventory optimization.
Knowledge and Skills
- Strong expertise in inventory optimization, safety stock, MEIO, MRP, and inventory replenishment.
- Advanced analytical, financial modeling, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Proficiency in ERP and planning systems such as SAP, Oracle, Kinaxis, o9, or equivalent.
- Experience with Power BI, SQL, Python, Excel, or similar analytical tools.
- Understanding of working capital, inventory valuation, E&O, and inventory financial performance.
- Strong cross-functional communication, influencing, and project leadership skills.
- Ability to evaluate complex inventory trade-offs and translate insights into actionable business recommendations.