Sr Analyst, Inventory Planning - LOFT

New York, NY, United States

Sr Analyst, Inventory Planning - LOFT page is loaded **Sr Analyst, Inventory Planning - LOFT**

**Sr Analyst, Inventory Planning - LOFT**

locationsTimes Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036 time typeFull time posted onPosted 17 Days Ago job requisition idR-111397 ****Brand Overview:****

ascena is a leading national specialty retailer offering apparel, shoes, and accessories for women through our brands Ann Taylor, LOFT, and Lou & Grey, Lane Bryant and Cacique. We operate ecommerce websites and over 1200 stores throughout the United States.****Position Overview:****

The Senior Inventory Planning Analyst ensures inventory levels are optimally planned and executed by Channel (stores and ecomm,) emphasis by Store and by Size to maximize Sales, Margin, and Inventory Productivity. As a senior member of the team, this individual will be a subject matter expert within the business, take on additional analytical responsibility, train and mentor new hires.

They will develop and execute a robust allocation strategy that connects with the merchant vision and financial plan for the product categories that they oversee. They will partner cross-functionally to achieve this outcome. Key partners include Merchandise Planning and Merchandising, DC & Store Operations, Location Planning, and the Stores Field Organization. This individual must leverage experience and expertise to anticipate seasonal inventory challenges, leverage the promotional calendar, and have an awareness of broader business strategies to support the goals of the organization.

This individual will be responsible for publishing reporting on store inventory and performance, tracking inventory from PO to in store receipt, and other relevant measurables. They will also be responsible for speaking to these reports and participating in Monday Business Reviews to the cross functional teams. The Senior Inventory Planner may be responsible for partnering with the leadership team in creating new reporting and agile business views to support the changing environment.

The Senior Inventory Planner will provide business insights that help shape the go forward business strategy. The insights will be grounded in data and will center around assortment, size, and channel/store performance. Success includes the ability to present information in a way thats easy to digest and accompanies a problem/opportunity with a solution, risk assessment, and set of recommendations.

The Senior Inventory Planner also owns size strategy. This includes the review and creation of size profiles that drive the buying and allocation of product decisions. It includes quantification of inventory by choice for each buy cycle. During Preseason, the Inventory planner will do hind sighting and ad hoc analytics to uncover business shifts and opportunities for the upcoming buy cycle.

In certain areas, The Senior Inventory Planner manages buying and allocation for long life cycle replenishment programs as well. They will develop an inventory strategy and conduct a monthly buy meeting with the cross functional team to align on buy quantities to support the model inventory. They are accountable for the in-stock percentage in these programs. Success is measured by metrics that yield 95% in stocks or better, DC fill rates, continuous assessment of the buy quantity, receipt timing, and store level strategy.

**Principle Responsibilities:**

* Business analysis in support of location level strategies that drive sales, margin, and inventory productivity.This would include partnering with Location Planning on Store, Tier, Region, and Climate level opportunities.

* In select brands, the Inventory Planner will manage inventory for long lifecycle replenishment programs. This include conceptualizing, building, and buying to model stock inventory and managing inventory to a sales and receipt plan.

* Leads the review of allocation strategies for each floor set

* Accountable for providing size analysis and recommendations for future buys and allocation strategies.Owns pre-season size profiling reviews

* Collaborates with the Merchant and Merchandise Planner to formulate future business strategies

* Accountable to roll up and publish hindsight information for each business cycle (floorset/quarter/season), identifying opportunities to improve Sales and Margin and Productivity

* Provides analytics to support internal business partners needs (for Home Office and for the Field Organization)

* Proactively seeks out mentoring and training opportunities that facilitate personal development

* Provides subject matter expertise and best practices across team, often acting as mentor and trainer to new hires and is an expert in company process and systems

**Work Experience and Education Requirements:**

* Bachelors degree in business, finance, statistics, operations, engineering, supply chain, fashion

* 3-5 years of allocation and business analytics preferred

* Strong organizational, communication and collaboration skills

* Continuous improvement mindset

* Ability to work with a diverse team to drive results

* Problem-solving skills - proactively recommends solutions to various stakeholders; can make decisions with limited information

* Must be able to operate with a high degree of Autonomy, Accountability, and be Proactive.

* Effective presenter and influencer

* Leader among peers

* Proven track record of using data to influence decisions to drive profitable outcomes

* High degree of change agility and dynamic thinking

* Strong analytical skills and financial acumen - ability to analyze and understand quantitative data

* Strong computer skills and demonstrated ability to learn and apply new software technology. Systems used: JDA Arthur Allocation, E3, Oracle, SAP Business Objects, MicroStrategy, Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint, MS Outlook

#LI-MJ1 ****Location:****

Times Square Tower-ANN-New York, NY 10036****Position Type:****

Regular/Full time****Equal Employment Opportunity****

The Company is committed to hiring and developing the most qualified people at all levels. It is our policy in all personnel actions to ensure that all associates and potential associates are evaluated on the basis of qualifications and ability without regard to sex (including pregnancy), race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability that can reasonably be accommodated without undue hardship, genetic information, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. We do not discriminate in any of our employment policies and practices. All associates are expected to follow these principles in all relationships with other associates, applicants, or others with whom we do business.