About The Team
The Inventory Operations Planner supports end-to-end inventory planning and execution within the SBS ecosystem. This role works across demand forecasting, purchase planning, and stock distribution, while overseeing the smooth movement of goods across the mid-mile network. The role focuses on coordinating stock transfers, tracking inter-warehouse shipments and in-transit SKUs, and supporting regional inventory distribution to ensure timely and balanced product flow across locations, while also tracking key operational metrics like Days of Cover (DOC) and black stock.
Job Description
Inventory Operations - Planner (1 headcount)
- Forecasting & Purchase Planning
- Consolidate sales trends, category inputs, and historical data to assist in demand forecasting and purchase planning.
- Coordinate with internal stakeholders to validate forecast assumptions and ensure timely procurement actions.
- Stock Distribution & Movement Tracking
- Support stock allocation and replenishment plans across multiple warehouses.
- Monitor SKU movements, line haul arrivals, and inventory transfer schedules to ensure efficient flow across locations.
- Identify and flag potential stock-out risks, overstocking, or regional stock imbalances.
- Data Monitoring & Reporting
- Track and maintain dashboards or trackers for key inventory metrics (e.g., DOC, black stock levels, in-transit inventory).
- Conduct variance analysis between forecast vs actuals and propose corrective actions where needed.
- Prepare routine reports and insights to support team reviews and performance tracking.
- Support process documentation, SOP updates, and inventory planning system/tool enhancements.
Inventory Operations - Logistics (1 headcount)
- Mid Mile Planning & Coordination
- Support the planning and execution of product movement between warehouses, cross-docks, and fulfillment centers.
- Coordinate with supply chain teams to align transfer volumes with warehouse capacities and delivery timelines.
- Ensure timely execution of stock transfers based on operational priorities and business needs.
- Stock Distribution & Inventory Flow
- Monitor the movement of goods across the mid-mile network to prevent bottlenecks or delays.
- Track line haul arrivals, inter-warehouse transfers, and regional stock distribution to ensure balanced inventory levels.
- Identify and escalate risks related to delayed arrivals, stock-outs, or overstocking in specific locations.
- Operational Support & Execution Monitoring
- Collaborate with warehouse, transportation, and planning teams to ensure seamless mid-mile operations.
- Maintain trackers or reports for daily movement schedules, pending transfers, and inventory in transit.
- Assist in coordinating recovery actions for delayed shipments or missed cutoffs.
Inventory Operations - Operations Excellence (1 headcount)
- Operate the visibility nerve center: plan vs actual tracking, milestones, ETA risks, and exception handling.
- Run daily ops control meeting: risks, priorities, decisions, owner assignment, and closure tracking.
- Build SOPs, conduct RCAs and standardize work that reduces recurring failures (delays, discrepancies, cost leaks).
- Design KPI trees and dashboards (daily control, WBR, MBR) with clear thresholds and actions.
- Improve data quality (event definitions, timestamps, reconciliation) and write simple automation specs (inputs/rules/outputs/audit logs).
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
- 2–5 years of experience in inventory planning, supply chain operations, logistics, operations analytics, process excellence, continuous improvement, or data roles supporting operations; e-commerce, retail, or warehouse operations experience is a plus.
- Strong Excel/Google Sheets skills; familiarity with SQL, BI, or dashboarding tools is a strong advantage.
- Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and the ability to work with large datasets.
- Structured problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes (RCA) and design preventive controls.
- Implementation mindset with the ability to translate analysis into SOPs, training, controls, and measurable process improvements.
- High standard for documentation, auditability, and governance, including clear definitions, ownership, and reporting cadence.
- Good coordination and communication skills; able to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Exposure to Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen methodologies is a plus.
- Experience with milestone/event-based logistics tracking and governance is preferred.
