Director, Assortment Planning

Job Description

Director, Assortment Planning is a merchandising-facing role focused on leading a team of assortment planners who build assortment plans by channel and for each node of Advance’s multi-echelon supply chain, in accordance with the merch category strategy, customer preferences and competitive positioning.

These assortment planners are responsible for both merchant line reviews and run-the-business assortment priorities. The director is field-focused, monitoring, maintaining, and optimizing assortment availability across Advance Auto Parts and our Independent stores. They serve as a field liaison on assortment gaps and work to improve availability for DIY, Pro and Strategic accounts, partnering closely with the inventory team on inventory depth across stores and distribution centers.

The role also leads the transformation of the assortment planning process and tools, ensuring execution across the team meets or exceeds expectations. The position is part of a hybrid work arrangement requiring four days in office at the Advance Auto Parts headquarters in Raleigh, NC.

• Lead a team of managers and planners who develop and execute category strategies and build assortment plans for front room and back room categories across stores and distribution centers.
• Establish a vision and strategy to guide the team in developing process improvements to optimize assortment availability.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional leadership and business partners to identify opportunities, prioritize the product roadmap, and deliver timely support.
• Develop and lead a team responsible for delivering world‑class availability solutions while simultaneously optimizing assortment by node.
• Foster a culture within the team that establishes best practices around discovery, optimization strategies, continuous/rapid testing & learning, with a relentless focus on delivering customer value.
• Continuously evaluate and assess all operational and administrative processes and procedures to identify, document and adopt best practices in alignment with organizational objectives and strategic business plans.
• Build subject‑matter expertise in AAP product offerings, including line reviews, quarterly assortment reviews and rapid business reviews to inform decision‑making and identify potential assortment opportunities.
• Stay on top of competitive intelligence, customer insights and category strategies to close gaps and enhance our offerings.
• Be accountable for the financial impact of decisions related to assortment upgrades for Market Driven Availability initiatives, for both AAP stores and strategic accounts.
• Invest time in coaching and developing talent on the team, ensuring members collaborate effectively and align with merchandising and inventory management goals.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present information and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders across functions to achieve business objectives and drive process improvement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially advanced Excel.
• Solid analytical skills to develop and communicate findings, create actionable strategies, and recommend solutions.
• Strong attention to detail, planning, and organizational skills.
• Ability to operate in a complex, rapidly changing environment while adhering to tight schedules.
• Ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple teams and projects simultaneously, ensuring timely and accurate completion of each.
• Advanced understanding of the supply chain, with the ability to see the organization as an integrated whole and comprehend how each component contributes to organizational goals.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Mathematics or a similar field; and
• 15+ years’ experience in merchandising, assortment planning, inventory management or related functions,
  • with at least 5+ years in a leadership role building, developing and leading teams
• Or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.

This position directly supervises managers and a total of approximately 10 team members.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.