Inventory Strategy Manager

We are seeking an experienced Inventory Strategy Manager to lead inventory planning and optimization within a fast paced consumer products organization. This role is responsible for ensuring inventory is strategically positioned to meet customer demand while optimizing working capital, minimizing supply risk, and improving overall operational performance.

The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment and brings a strong background in inventory management, replenishment planning, supply planning, and cross functional collaboration. This individual will serve as a key partner to Procurement, Demand Planning, Operations, Sales, Finance, and Manufacturing to ensure inventory decisions support both short term execution and long term business objectives.

• Develop and execute inventory strategies that maximize product availability while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Own inventory planning and replenishment across a diverse portfolio of SKUs and supplier relationships.
• Establish inventory targets, safety stock levels, reorder points, and replenishment policies based on demand trends and supplier lead times.
• Monitor inventory health and proactively identify risks related to shortages, overstock, aging inventory, and service disruptions.
• Analyze inventory performance and recommend improvements to inventory turns, service levels, and working capital.
• Partner with Demand Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Sales, and Finance to align inventory with business objectives.
• Translate demand forecasts into executable supply and replenishment plans.
• Evaluate supplier performance, lead time variability, and inventory risks while developing contingency plans.
• Participate in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) by providing inventory insights and recommendations.
• Build and maintain inventory dashboards, KPIs, and reporting to support operational decision making.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory optimization, planning accuracy, and process efficiency.
• Support new product launches through strategic inventory planning and replenishment execution.
• Identify opportunities to automate reporting and improve planning processes through technology and analytics.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in inventory planning, supply planning, replenishment, materials planning, or supply chain management.
• Experience with in consumer products, retail, manufacturing, distribution, or another high SKU environment.
• Strong understanding of inventory optimization, replenishment planning, safety stock methodologies, supplier lead time management, and working capital optimization.
• Experience participating in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) or Integrated Business Planning (IBP).
• Advanced Excel skills with the ability to analyze large datasets.
• Experience with ERP platforms such as Net Suite, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar systems.
• Experience using inventory planning or supply chain planning software is preferred.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and cross functional collaboration skills.