National Accessories Inventory Manager

SUMMARY

Leads a team of Inventory Planners and works across multiple areas of the organization to ensure appropriate accessory inventory investment and flow at each of Subaru of America’s (SOA's) Regional Distribution Centers (RDCs) and port facilities. Uses core planning concepts to manage system and process development in support of accessory sales goals, customer experience, inventory management, and SOA profitability targets. Provides accessory planning and inventory support for SOA Regions, independent distributors, and the SOA Export Operations team.

• Leads and mentors a team of Inventory Planners for operational performance, personal development, and career growth.
• Serves as the primary liaison and subject matter expert between various stakeholders on accessory inventory issues, including Sales Operations, Accessory Development, Sales & Sourcing, Transportation, Information Technology (IT), Accounting, and the accessory supplier base.
• Acts as the primary interface to Sales Operations to maximize port accessory sales via proactive inventory management, including allocation limits, management of disallowed accessories, and coordination with the vehicle allocation team through the allocation process to effectively utilize available labor and maximize accessory revenue per new vehicle wholesaled (PNVW).
• Develops lean processes, policies, and systems to ensure appropriate inventory and effective communication in support of port operations and warehouse sales.
• Tracks service levels, backorders, and key metrics and manages inventory supply and allocation between locations to support port and retailer sales.
• Monitors and communicates with suppliers to ensure the ability to fulfill inventory requirements, including working to ensure early detection of supply challenges and developing appropriate countermeasures. Participates in supplier improvement actions including resolving disruptions related to quality issues, vendor processes, or location changes; supersessions; or any issue that could affect accessory sales. Leads those improvement actions when necessary.
• Acts as subject matter expert (SME) on operational systems and internal controls, including lean inventory best practices, the Kinaxis planning system, and Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
• Works closely with Accounting to ensure inventory integrity and that appropriate warehousing standards are adhered to.
• Acts as primary manager of new model inventory launch activities, including supply and inventory planning, monitoring Accessory Business Development Plans and Project Status Reports, communicating proactively with Sourcing and Engineering to ensure sufficient accessory inventory levels, forecast communication to suppliers, and system preparation to meet new model launch requirements while balancing non-carryover inventory.
  • Following the launch of new vehicle models and model changes:
    Assumes full responsibility for proactive management of all vendor-related supply issues. Provides suppliers with annual and initial orders forecasts. Creates and verifies vendor receipt of timely purchase orders, creates Bill of Materials, and manages the receipt and/or transfer of inventory into appropriate Regional Distribution Center (RDC) locations to maximize port and retailer sales.

• Oversee and works with IT and various business units to develop reporting and system tools to drive efficiency and collaboration.
• Conducts daily review of high-priority or assigned stock keeping units (SKUs) in support of active issue management and backorder reduction.

• Clear understanding of the order-to-fulfillment cycle and basic supply chain strategies and tactics.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills enabling communication across all levels of the organization, from the executive team to warehouse associates.
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with time-sensitive tasks.
• Ability to collaborate extensively with numerous cross-functional departments.
• Out-of-the-box thinking style for continuous process improvements.
• Ability to effectively…