Who We Are:
Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.
JOB MISSION:
Reporting into the Senior Inventory Planning Manager, the Inventory Planning Manager leads one of the regional teams responsible for the endtoend flow of Finished Goods inventory in and out of EMEA—translating forecast and demand into purchase orders, ensuring optimized orderbook fulfillment across all channels, and driving ontime, inmarket launches and replenishment. This leader develops hightrust, crossfunctional partnerships (Sales, Merchandising, Finance, Logistics, Customer Operations, Global Supply Planning), models our key values of teamwork, integrity and total customer satisfaction and elevates processes, systems, and talent to deliver EMEA business results.
MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Manage a team of planners and/or operations analysts, setting clear goals and KPIs; conducting regular 1to1s and provide coaching and development opportunities to ensure the team is highly successful in achieving the business goals.
Drive regional finished goods purchasing governance across footwear, apparel, accessories and equipment ensuring accurate translation of market and DTC forecasts into purchase requisitions in line with the regional inventory strategy.
Align purchasing with line plans, channel strategies and allocated/strategic programmes.
Set and refine customer service levels and safety stock parameters to balance service, stock turns and obsolescence risk.
Ensure complete, on-time order fulfilment across all channels; oversee prioritisation logic and reservation rules for priority accounts and launches.
Lead timely communication of supply constraints and recovery plans to stakeholders; escalate options for potential solutions when a compromise decision may be required by the business.
Govern delivery location strategy and inter-warehouse transfers in line with inventory plans.
Represent Inventory Planning in S&OP to drive decisions on supply either to fulfil business opportunities or appropriately manage risk.
Chair monthly forecast & fulfilment forums for DTC ensuring completion of agreed actions and continued improvement of metrics.
Oversee beginning, middle and end-of-life strategies to minimise EOL risk. Partner with sales, merch, finance and DTC on sell through actions in accordance with the Inventory Strategy.
Manage the creation and evolution of size curve profiles using historical sell-through and consumer order data authorising exceptions as required to support business growth.
Own dashboards and reporting ensuring that analysts and planners act on insights gained in a timely but appropriate manner.
Drive ‘best in class’ operating models in accordance with the Regional Inventory Strategy ensuring optimal use of booking logic, inventory pool optimisation, cross-market/channel shareability and on-time go-to market execution.
Partner with functional owners to enhance D365, O9 and reporting usage highlighting continuous improvement opportunities to the Senior Inventory Planning Manager.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
Service and fulfilment: On time in-market delivery to meet product launch calendar; complete and on-time order fulfilment; ensure channel or priority accounts are serviced successfully.
Inventory Health: Weeks of supply within targets; inventory turns in line with the Inventory Strategy; measurable reduction in EOL obsolescence.
S&OP Effectiveness: Forecast alignment to buys; Effectiveness of solutions to manage risks or opportunities.
Operational Excellence: Data quality and responsiveness of dashboards; cycle-time of decision-making; cross-functional satisfaction.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:
Relevant number of years of related experience including 2 years leading planners or analysts in a regional or multi-market environment.
People Management Experience with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
Excellent knowledge and understanding of Inventory Planning, sales process, demand planning, item life cycle management
Strong numeric acumen, written and verbal communication skills
Stakeholder influence across commercial and operational teams
Expert interpersonal skills with an emphasis on problem solving, managing conflicting objectives, dealing with multiple customers and competing priorities
Adapts quickly to changing priorities, and thrives at effective time management, multitasking, and deadline management
Strategic with demonstrable experience in data driven decision making.
Continuous improvement mindset to facilitate the recommendation of business process and system functionality enhancements within evolving business model
Occasional travel across the region will be required
Proficient in Microsoft Office: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, etc
Experience with Microsoft D365, o9 and/or Spotfire, a plus
APICS Certification, a plus
BENEFITS:
Discretionary Bonus Opportunity
Private Medical Insurance
Dental Scheme
Pension Scheme
Flexible Working Hours
Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
25 days Annual Leave per year
Life Insurance
On Site Gym
Employee Discount
Flexibility to work 20 days from anywhere each year
Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)
Equal Opportunity Employer:
New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.
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