Sr. Inventory Analyst

At Caribou Coffee we create day-making experiences that spark a chain reaction of GOOD! This is our purpose. Our team brings this to life by focusing on what’s really important around here – TEAM, GUEST, BUSINESS! It’s that simple. If you’re ready to work somewhere you can be yourself while making an impact on your community, creating life‑long relationships, and serving the best coffee around, join our herd!

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The Senior Inventory Analyst is a lead contributor responsible for end‑to‑end inventory health across a multi‑temperature inbound warehouse network (dry, refrigerated, frozen) supporting a food‑service/coffeehouse operation. This role goes beyond execution and is expected to anticipate inventory needs, design and refine planning approaches, and drive continuous improvement across inventory planning, replenishment, and load building.

As a senior individual contributor, this role partners deeply with Sourcing, Demand Planning, Transportation, Operations, Quality, and Finance to ensure the right product, in the right quantity, at the right time, while balancing freshness, service, cost, and capacity. The Senior Inventory Analyst is expected to operate with a high degree of ownership, influence cross‑functional outcomes, and lead through data‑driven insight and action.

Lead inventory planning strategy, not just execution.

• Own inventory strategy and parameter design for assigned categories across dry, refrigerated, and frozen networks, including:

• Safety stock, min/max, reorder points, and cycle stock

• Shelf‑life constraints, freshness targets, and elapsed lead‑time thresholds

• Lead development and refinement of inventory models that balance:

• Service levels and in‑stock performance

• Freshness, waste mitigation, and inventory turns

• Warehouse capacity and working capital targets

• Proactively anticipate future inventory needs and risks by:

• Analyzing demand variability, forecast error, and lead‑time instability

• Conducting scenario planning for seasonality, promotions, LTOs, and transitions

• Perform deep root‑cause analysis on inventory health issues (stockouts, excess, short‑dated inventory) and drive corrective action, including parameter changes and process improvements.

• Review and optimize inventory positions weekly, identifying recovery actions before service or freshness is impacted.

• Provide clear, actionable inventory insights to leadership, translating complex data into recommended tradeoffs and decisions.

• Serve as a subject‑matter expert on inventory strategy, segmentation, and optimization techniques.

Design and improve replenishment approaches and mentor others.

• Lead replenishment strategy for assigned categories and warehouses, ensuring consistent inbound flow while protecting freshness and capacity.

• Design, refine, and govern replenishment parameters and logic, including:

• Lead times, safety stock, reorder points, MOQs, and pack rounding

• Independently manage and override system‑generated order proposals based on:

• Forecast confidence and demand signals

• Supplier production cadence and constraints

• Temperature zone capacity and receiving limitations

• Drive continuous improvement in replenishment efficiency and accuracy through:

• Performance reviews and root cause analysis

• Parameter optimization and process standardization

• Track inbound shipments, reconcile discrepancies, and proactively resolve risks related to late, early, or incomplete deliveries.

• Partner with Demand Planning to align replenishment with promotional windows, seasonal demand shifts, and new/discontinued items.

• Mentor Analysts on replenishment best practices and exception management.

Lead load strategy development and identify systemic inefficiencies.

• Own load‑building strategy across dry, refrigerated, and frozen inbound freight.

• Design and optimize load plans to:

• Maximize cube and weight utilization

• Minimize transportation cost and expedites

• Maintain product integrity and temperature compliance

• Lead consolidation strategies to meet full truckload targets while balancing freshness and inventory risk.

• Translate complex constraints…