Senior Inventory Planner

At Merrell, we exist to give every person what they need to discover the simple power of being outside—regardless of shape, size, race, ability, or experience level. For over four decades, we’ve crafted quality footwear with our eyes fixed on comfort, design, durability, and whatever is waiting for us just outside our front doors.Wolverine Worldwide is a Great Place To Work® Certified™ company, underscoring its commitment to prioritizing employee experience and cultivating an amazing company culture across its U.S. operations. The Great Place To Work Certification distinguishes employers that prioritize employee experience, based on employees’ survey feedback on trust, camaraderie, and appreciation in the workplaceThe Senior Inventory Planner drives the development and execution of the 18-Month inventory plan, as part of the integrated business plan process. This role is responsible for the material, and category level inventory plan, aligned to open to buy and target at each level, and channel. Key responsibilities include monitoring and improving Inventory and service level KPIs, supporting demand and revenue plan conversion, and driving improvements in inventory management practices. This role also leads business reporting, data analysis and continuous improvement in planning processes and cross-functional communication.

Primary Duties:

• Support manager in updating Inventory/Business Plans inline with the financial planning calendar to deliver period and quarter-end inventory targets for inventory levels, days forward coverage, inventory turns, and average inventory.

• Collaborate with Sales Planning, Demand Planning, and Finance teams to align open-to-buy budgets and category-level inventory builds.

• Contribute to the setting and review of inventory classifications, product lifecycle stages, and other key inventory and product attributes.

• Develop and review regional inventory plan to target inventory levels and planning KPIs

• Monitor order book fulfillment, on-time to launch and demand coverage and ensure timely and transparent communication with the business.

• Understand commercialization schedule and impact of changes to inventory and business operations.

• Build content for monthly Inventory and Demand alignment meetings, aligned with the monthly planning calendar

• Lead analysis on inventory vs. demand for continuous improvement on inventory coverage, and excess and end of life reduction

• Evaluate net inventory requirements and flow strategy based on demand forecast, and channel needs

• Partner with Planning teams to understand changes in demand, supply, and capacity during the monthly inventory buy process.

• Work closely with Production and Supply Planning teams on factory communication, and production scheduling

• Support reporting and commentary on key inventory metrics including availability, close-out, aged inventory, composition, and excess.

• Lead prioritizing and rescheduling purchase orders in response to changes in demand or supply.

• Support the team in analysis of size curves, and size level planning

• Convert monthly planning to weekly EXF phasing at each Buy Ensure system accuracy across SAP and other planning systems

• Partner with Sales, Customer Service, and Logistics teams to resolve issues and deliver optimal service to customers.

• Performs duties consistent with the Company’s AAP/EEO goals and policies.

• Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• 4-year bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.

• 5+ years’ experience in inventory planning, with relevant industry experience a plus

• Advanced MS Excel skills: (pivot tables, formulas, macros) demonstrated ability to analyze large data sets, identify trends, and use data to inform decision-making.

• Knowledge of SAP ERP systems preferred and planning tools and software

• Experience with BI tools; and planning tools and software

• Developed understanding and appreciation of supply chain functions, dependencies and systems

• Strong decision-making abilities, and attention to detail and accuracy on multiple projects under time pressure

• Ability to quickly adapt in a highly collaborative environment and team player

Working Conditions:

Normal office environment.  Some travel may be required.

Wolverine Worldwide has a flexible, hybrid work schedule, with three days in office and two days remote.

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The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required.

Wolverine Worldwide, Inc. is committed to creating a company that is as diverse as our consumers. We value the differences in one another and believe our differences make us stronger. Our diverse and inclusive corporate culture starts with the recruitment process. We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We aim to create equal opportunities for our associates, customers, and suppliers regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic.