Senior Inventory Planner

JOB MISSION: 

The EMEA Senior Inventory Planner plays a central and critical role in delivering EMEA business results through planning and executing the purchasing and reservation of Finished Goods inventory for assigned product area. This team is responsible for the end-to-end flow of inventory in and out of the Region. Inventory Planning is responsible for the translation of forecast and demand requirements into purchase orders, resulting in optimised order book fulfillment to service all New Balance channels of business.   

The ideal candidate will develop strong relationships with various teams across the business, demonstrating our key values; integrity, team-work and total customer satisfaction. Confidence in influencing others will be key to this role, with cross functional collaboration essential. 

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

Inventory Management  

Finished Goods Purchasing across Footwear, Apparel, Accessories and Equipment  

• Translate market forecast and demands into Purchase Requisitions   

• Manage Make to Stock (MTS) and Make to Order (MTO) items via Purchase Requisitions review and approval process   

• Manage and Approve Direct & Cross-dock purchases  

• Execute the planning and on-time delivery of Strategic and Allocated Programs   

• Manage inventory levels by channel, product line & line plan business  

• Using insight from sales planning, S&OP meetings and available reporting, dynamically manage on hand and incoming inventory  

• Interface with Sales, Merchandising & Finance to drive sell-thru before End of Life where inventory opportunity has been identified through S&OP process  

• Item Life Cycle Management: Beginning of Life (BOL), Middle of Life (MOL) and End of Life (EOL) strategy execution  

• Review and manage life cycle behavior to ensure that item transitions are executed effectively  

• Provide recommendations for service level updates and/or system enhancements to deliver process improvements  

• Collaborate with Global Supply Planning across all Source Types to ensure Key Launch strategies are supported  

• Analyse and evolve size curve recommendations and system functionality to optimise demand fulfillment and maximise the utilisation of finished goods inventory  

• Leverage historical sales data (ie. sell through, consumer orders, etc) to create best in class size curve profiles and process recommendations  

• Collaboration with cross functional stakeholders to gather business insights to influence and shape size curves for allocated and/or specific item sizing  

• Lead and partner with cross functional stakeholders to execute strategic enhancements to all reservation & prioritization business rule logic   

• Incorporate best in class operating models and business practices to maximise inventory turns, on-time order fulfillment and minimise EOL inventory obsolescence (Ie. Booking Program Logic, Inventory Pool Optimisation, Inventory Shareability across markets & channels, Go-to-Market Execution)  

• Own the logic and analysis for Customer Service Levels and Safety Stock to ensure optimised inventory levels and demand supportability 

Demand Fulfillment  

• Complete and on time order fulfillment  

• Collaborate with Logistics and Customer Operations to ensure proper prioritisation of incoming receipts and transfers is aligned to regional strategies  

• Active participant with focus on continuous improvement and evolving business processes within Operations meetings  

• Proactive management of inventory availability and on-time order fulfillment  

• Analyse Inventory dashboards & reporting to take appropriate action  

• Execute Finished Goods Buy Summary  

• Optimise order fulfillment for various strategic and priority items to ensure on time in market launches and replenishment  

• Lead the resolution of supply related sales order management issues in collaboration with Customer Operations  

• Active engagement within monthly S&OP process and all other relevant operational meetings  

• Support teammates and provide necessary recommendations with expediting Finished Goods via various ship modes in partnership with Value Chain, Logistics, Customer Operations, etc. Ie. Air Freight, Inventory Transfers, etc  

• Proactive Communication to Region of supply constraints  

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS: 

• Relevant number of years’ of related experience 

• Must have knowledge of Inventory Planning, sales process, demand planning, item life cycle management 

• High level of accountability and responsiveness to stakeholders 

• Experience of full ownership of own area of expertise 

• Strong numeric acumen, written and verbal communication skills 

• Robust interpersonal skills with an emphasis on problem solving, conflicting objectives, and dealing with multiple customers and various priorities 

• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and manage time, multiple tasks, and deadlines effectively 

• Continuous improvement mindset to facilitate the recommendation of business process and system functionality enhancements within evolving business model  

• Occasional travel across the region may 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)