Inventory Analyst

Job Number: 11711

Position Title: Inventory Analyst

External Description:

Basic Purpose: 

The Inventory Analyst makes an immediate and daily impact on the Cross Functional Team and lives the values of the Talbots organization.  They will contribute to the success of omni-channel inventory management activities by ensuring the flow of inventory to stores/direct/outlet is aligned with global strategies to maximize the company’s sales, inventory, and margin goals.  They will collaborate on strategies with their Inventory Manager, Merchandising, and Planning partners.

                                     

Principal Accountabilities: 

Drive Business Growth Strategies (50%)

• Accountable for executing inventory management strategies in partnership with the Inventory Manager, Merchant, and Planner to maximizes channel performance by achieving sales and margin goals.
• Able to independently evaluate business trends to draw and present actionable conclusions to cross functional team and management.

• Knowledgeable of merchandise performance across all levels of the store and product hierarchy to identify issues and opportunities, while using creative problem-solving skills to drive profitable solutions.

• Manage the flow of inventory while considering markdown and liquidation strategies, while partnering with cross functional team to maximize profitability.
• Collaborate as the store subject matter expert on cross functional projects to help drive overall profitability and efficiency.
• Analyze omni-channel selling by size and recommend optimum size and pack purchase strategies based on store/item/classification and key item level need.
• Establish volume groups and store clusters that support merchandising and financial objectives.
• Drive breadth and depth targets for each volume group in the assortment to align key goals/metrics: unit sales, inventory, receipts, turn and margin expectations. 
• Collaborate with Merchandise Planning and Merchandising partners throughout the line build process to ensure the assortment plan meets financial objectives and are achievable based on store selling analysis.
• Visit stores on a regular basis to understand customer and store needs and apply learning’s to forward looking strategies.

 

Collaborate with Expertise and Influence the Cross Functional Team (30%)

• Partner with the Planning and Merchandising team pre-season to develop hindsight’s that will help develop next season’s product strategies
• Communicate and make recommendations to the Inventory Manager and the Cross Functional Team regarding store needs and distribution concerns such as flow, breaks, sizing, and new store issues.

• Identify, create and recommend best practice processes; including reports, tools, process, etc that may be missing/required to maximizing current and future performance.
• Partner with the Planning Team to maximize omni profitability through preseason store cluster analysis, initial allocation, DC management and in-season management.

 

 

 

• Understand the impact discussions/strategies/decisions have on your individual business. Use this information to formulate and present conclusions/strategies as the voice of inventory management to cross functional team leadership.

 

Support Smart Risk Taking and Innovation (20%)

• Recommend new allocation strategies at the classification and/or key item level keeping a customer centric inventory strategy.
• Independently identify and recommend business driving opportunities to your Manager through analytics and risk management.
• As the Inventory Management system expert, propose opportunities for process changes, new tools, reports, and projects that will help to streamline tasks to elevate/evolve the Inventory Management Team.

 

Internal and External Relationships:

 

Internal:

• Merchandising
• Merchandise Planning
• Sourcing
• Logistics/DC
• Extended Cross Functional Team
• Senior Leadership
• Stores Organization

 

Education/Experience/Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Prefer experience in stores, allocation or planning
• Ability to think objectively and interpret meaningful themes from quantitative and qualitative data
• Ability to use logic to solve problems
• Strong sense of work ethic and responsibility
• Able to present ideas and direction clearly to others
• Able to build strong relationships with a diverse group of business partners
• Demonstrates strong listening, written and oral communication skills
• Able to work independently, self prioritize and multi task
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required
• Aptitude to learn technical applications quickly
• JDA Allocation preferred
• Experience with or a strong ability to learn reporting/data warehousing tools preferred
• Strong organization and time management skills
• Possess a strong sense of urgency and a high level of attention to detail
• Must be organized, disciplined, and able to work under pressure while being flexible and able to adapt.

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel assigned to this job.

City:

State:

Community / Marketing Title: Inventory Analyst

Company Profile:

Talbots is a leading omni-channel specialty retailer of women's clothing, shoes and accessories. Established in 1947, the company is known for modern classic style that's both timeless and timely, fine quality craftsmanship and gracious service. At Talbots relationships are the key to our business, we hire individuals who bring new ideas to the table, understand smart risk taking and  can enhance an already thriving culture.  With a commitment to offer modern classic style for every body type, through a  full range of sizes, inclusive to every woman in your life.

EEO Employer Verbiage:

Talbots is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based upon a candidate's qualifications as they relate to the requirements of the position under consideration and are made without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, or any other category protected by applicable law. Talbots is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to perform the essential duties of the position you are seeking or to participate in the application process please contact recruiting@talbots.com. Talbots will make reasonable accommodations for otherwise qualified applicants or employees, unless such accommodations would impose an undue hardship on the operations of the Company’s business.

PositionType_Description: Full Time

Location_formattedLocationLong: Hingham, Massachusetts US