Manager - Inventory (Demand Planning)

About our client

A leading Retail industry

Job Title: Inventory (Demand Planning) Manager

Experience: 8 to 15 years

Location: Coimbatore

1. Inventory Planning & Optimization:

Develop and implement inventory strategies to maintain optimal stock levels, ensuring a balance between demand and supply.

Monitor and analyse inventory levels, ensuring they align with business goals and market demands.

Conduct regular reviews of store categorization, SKU categorization (VED process), and purchase norms.

Ensure the average weekly inventory level is maintained below 25-30 days without GIT/Open PO.

Oversee the SKU fill rate and ensure timely replenishment to meet sales forecasts.

2. Demand Forecasting & Supply Planning:

Collaborate with the business and marketing teams to develop accurate demand forecasts.

Review and approve the 3-month demand and supply plan, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

Publish the Offer Planning Calendar and ensure inventory is aligned with promotional activities.

Monitor and improve the Availability Index (AI) for Prime and Accessories, ensuring it meets the target of >85% and >75% respectively.

3. Process Implementation & Improvement:

Lead weekly inventory meetings, ensuring action points are tracked and resolved promptly.

Implement and monitor the D-Score improvement process for Prime and Accessories, aiming for Gross >85% and AI >98%.

Oversee the RTV (Return to Vendor) process, ensuring timely closure of sellable and defective items.

Conduct weekly aging inventory meetings to track and reduce slow-moving and obsolete stock.

Implement and monitor the CTO (Customer Take Out) sellout tracker, ensuring sell out rates exceed 90%.

4. Reporting & Analytics:

Publish daily and weekly inventory reports, including stock summaries, sellout trends, and aging stock levels.

Develop and maintain a comprehensive inventory dashboard to provide real- time visibility into inventory metrics.

Ensure the timely publication of EOL (End of Life) stock and sellout trackers, with a focus on moving obsolete stock to high-performing stores.

Provide regular updates on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as inventory turnover, fill rates, and stock accuracy.

5. Team Leadership & Development:

Lead and mentor a team of inventory planners and analysts, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Conduct quarterly knowledge-sharing sessions to enhance the team s understanding of inventory categorization, demand planning, and supply chain processes.

On-board and train new team members, ensuring a smooth transition and quick integration into the team.

Define and track KPIs for the planning team, ensuring continuous improvement in performance.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Work closely with the procurement, warehouse, and logistics teams to ensure seamless inventory flow.

Collaborate with the finance team to monitor inventory costs and ensure compliance with budgetary constraints.

Partner with the marketing and sales teams to align inventory planning with promotional campaigns and sales targets.