Product Availability Generalist

Product Availability Generalist Objective

This position has three primary purposes:
1) Work as an analytics and reporting specialist to help the team benefit from access to timely, useful data and information;
2) Perform general duties to support the team, including primary responsibility for product launches and obsolescence;
3) Perform demand planning duties for an assigned group of suppliers.

• Design and build useful dashboards and automated reports for the team to monitor key metrics and alerts and arrive at customized insights using tools such as Power BI, Sales Force, SSRS, or Excel
• Act as an entry-level resource for the team on practical AI tool usage; stay current on approved tools, share best practices, and help identify where AI can reduce manual effort within Automation Direct guidelines
• Collaborate with other teams on the use of advanced analytics to optimize forecasting and inventory
• Support regular and ad hoc reporting needs
• Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and integrity in all reporting
• Support documentation of data definitions, business rules, and reporting procedures

• Handle all tasks related to product launch and obsolescence for the team, including attending launch meetings, handling supplier onboarding activities, completing Sales Force tasks, issuing initial stocking orders and last-time buys, etc.
• Ensure product and forecast data is correctly setup in systems for launches and obsolescence
• Assist with Supplier Information Management (SIM) dashboards, data integrity, and other system needs
• Assist with receiving discrepancies and inventory returns up to resolution
• Ensure vendors are abiding by contractual purchasing requirements such as backup inventory, lead times, stock rotations
• Assist with Advanced Shipping Notice creation and order confirmations for selected vendors
• Assist with applying AI tools to reporting, summarizing, and analytics tasks under guidance

• For assigned suppliers with semiannual or annual purchases, maintain sales forecasts and create purchase orders. Maintain expected ship date information and expedite delivery when needed
• Handle related inventory returns, receiving discrepancies, delayed shipments, and other daily communications with suppliers
• Use LLM tools (such as Microsoft Copilot or ChatGPT) to help draft routine supplier communications

• Minimum of high school education or equivalent required
• Bachelors in Business Administration, Business Analytics or equivalent degree preferred
• Proficiency and experience in MS Office suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, etc) required
• Proficiency and experience with BI Tools (MS Power BI, SSRS) required
• Familiarity with SQL querying language preferred
• Previous experience in a purchasing/forecasting role and/or analytics role is preferred
• Experience with Epicor ERP, Sales Force, and demand planning software is preferred
• Proficiency in advanced statistical/analytical tools and programming languages (e.g., Python, R) is a plus
• Proficiency and experience with AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, or similar LLM-based assistants preferred