Inventory Planner; HYBRID

This role is responsible for SKU forecasting, order management, system maintenance and development, and execution of inventory strategies to increase productivity and maximize sales, margin, and inventory efficiency in the area of responsibility within Zales, Zales Outlet, and

• Partner with category Merchants and Merchandise Planner to develop and present seasonal hindsight that synthesizes product performance learnings, consumer and customer insights, and product development initiatives into department level pre‑season strategies that inform future merchandise plans and tactics.
• Partner with category Merchants and Merchandise Planner to execute a successful Go‑to‑Market plan that supports category initiatives and achieves and exceeds plan.
• Partner with category Merchants and Merchandise Planner to enable the pre‑season assortment architecture processes including SKU rationalization and SKU lifecycle management that result in achieving healthy SKU productivity targets.
• Partner with Merchant and Merchandise Planning partners to recommend initial buy quantities and store groupings for test merchandise, opportunity buys, and new collections; inform the Open‑to‑Buy process to optimize inventory investments to yield sales and gross margin at or above plan; confidently recommend actions, risks, and opportunities.
• Own the order management process including vendor forecasts and managing order quantities for replenishment at the SKU level to drive optimal in‑stock and inventory turn.
• Become an Impact Analytics subject‑matter expert, our demand and allocation system, and own system parameters to drive optimal in‑stock and sales and margin store outcomes while maintaining inventory productivity.
• Lead in‑season performance reporting at the SKU and store levels to track product performance against pre‑season plans and strategies.
• Present in‑season insights and drivers of variance to plans/strategies to Merchandise Planner, Merchant, and Zales leadership teams with recommendations and decision points/action items.
• Take an analytical approach to identify demographic, regional, and store opportunities to optimize assortment and inventory efficiency and financial results.
• Advocate for and execute store re‑ranking processes to achieve store opportunities.
• Utilize an analytical approach to recommend and execute reverse flow projects to improve productivity and achieve inventory goals.
• Demonstrate creative problem‑solving skills and financially sound judgement to deliver recommendations to functional and cross‑functional directors and above.
• Be a champion for change management by implementing new tools, processes, and ideas; provide leadership to planning peers by training, mentoring, and encouraging adoption of change.

• BA/BS degree in a related field and equivalent work experience.
• 2+ years of proven success in the retail industry or equivalent work experience.
• Strong strategic and analytical ability, with a deep understanding of how to use data to drive decisions.
• Strong retail math knowledge.
• Results‑driven with strong financial acumen.
• Strong adaptability skills to effectively lead and influence within a fast‑moving and evolving business environment.
• Ability to leverage curiosity to develop innovative solutions for complex challenges in a fast‑changing environment; cover a wide range of activities requiring complex decision making.
• Comfort with ambiguity and passion/excitement for building and/or learning new tools and processes.
• Ability to collaborate and influence across multiple functions.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills; able to effectively manage multiple priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and enterprise analytics tools (Tableau or Business Objects).

• Comprehensive healthcare, dental, and vision insurance active on day 1 of employment.
• Generous 401(k) matching after just one year.
• Ample paid time off, plus seven holidays.
• Exclusive discounts on premium merchandise.
• Dynamic Learning & Development programs to support your growth.
• And more!