Inventory Analyst

Description

Position summary

The Inventory Analyst reports to the Director of Planning & Procurement and is responsible for driving inventory performance across all business units. This role provides visibility into inventory health, identifies risks and opportunities, and ensures alignment to inventory targets that balance customer service and working capital.

Partnering with Planning, Procurement, Sales, and Finance, the role supports inventory policy development, influences decision-making, and drives accountability for inventory outcomes. The position serves as the inventory subject matter expert in S&OP and KPI forums, providing clear insights on performance, projections, and required actions.

Essential tasks of the position

Inventory Performance & Risk Management

• Monitor overall inventory health, including excess, slow-moving, aging, and obsolete inventory.

• Own the end-to-end at-risk inventory management process, including identification, tracking, prioritization, and resolution, holding cross-functional partners accountable for timely action and resolution.

• Track performance against inventory targets; identify risks, gaps, and trends, and provide actionable insights to improve turnover and reduce working capital exposure.

• Conduct root cause analysis on inventory imbalances and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Inventory Optimization & Planning Alignment

• Support and refine inventory policies, including safety stock and inventory segmentation.

• Analyze inventory levels, seasonality, and demand variability to recommend adjustments that balance service levels and inventory investment.

• Partner with Demand Planning, Procurement, Sales, and Finance to align forecasts, purchasing decisions, and inventory strategies.

• Support inventory planning and budgeting processes; influence decisions to ensure alignment with inventory targets.

Forecasting, Visibility & Governance

• Develop forward-looking inventory projections and provide visibility into expected inventory levels and risks.

• Serve as the inventory subject matter expert in S&OP and KPI reviews, presenting performance, projections, and key risks.

• Align inventory outlooks with financial plans and escalate gaps with clear recommendation.
• Drive accountability across stakeholders for actions required to meet inventory targets.

Disposition & Process Improvement

• Oversee tracking and management of inventory designated for disposal (damaged, expired, excess, or non-conforming).

• Drive reduction in write-offs through improved upstream decision-making and accountability.

• Identify and implement improvements to inventory management processes, controls, and reporting.

• Develop and maintain KPIs (e.g., turns, days of supply, excess/obsolete) to enhance visibility and decision-making.

Quality:

Activities of the position affect quality including quality objectives. Responsibilities and authorities include where appropriate:

• Initiate action to prevent the occurrence of any nonconformities relating to product, process, or quality system, up to and including when necessary, stopping production to correct quality problems.

• Identify and record any problems relating to the product, process, and quality system.

• Document problems, steps taken for resolution and preventative action in CRM software and notify all parties required.

• Initiate, recommend, or provide solutions through designated channels.

• Verify the implementation of solutions in areas under your control.

• Control further processing, delivery, or installation of nonconforming product until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected.

• Perform duties and tasks as prescribed in company policies, procedures, and work instructions.

Note:

The outline of duties is not arranged in order of priority. These duties are not meant to restrict initiative, but rather to describe baseline activities. These duties will from time to time be altered to suit the needs of the company.

We are a tobacco free, professional environment.

This is a hybrid role, in Westlake, OH.

Requirements:

Education:

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management or business administration with MBA preferred

Management may elect to consider applicants with equivalent experience and/or a combination of experience/training/education in lieu of degree

Experience:

5+ years' experience in inventory management or supply chain; experience managing disposal and at-risk inventory preferred

Experience in business analytics preferred

Knowledge/Skills:

• Intermediate level of expertise in MS Office and Contact Management Software

• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities

• Ability to maintain professional conduct that always exemplifies the corporate policies, particularly when interacting directly with internal and external customers

• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and discretion

• Detail oriented with strong, accurate clerical skills

• Proficient at multi-tasking

• Proactive problem solver

• Highly motivated

Competencies:

Learner's Attitude, Accountability, Conflict Resolution, Persuasive, Time Management, Flexibility, Teamwork, Customer Oriented

Physical Requirements:

• Satisfactory motor skills relevant to position

• Ability to sit for long periods of time

• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds