Sr. Inventory Planner at Advance Auto Parts

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Automotive Retail, Supply ChainIndustries

Requirements

Advanced Excel and analytical skills, with strong aptitude in retail math and inventory management (must demonstrate proficiency)
Experience and familiarity in inventory management systems and software (e.g., Blue Yonder, Relex, Manhattan Associates, or SAP)
Self-motivated, passionate, and enthusiastic
Outstanding organizational skills with natural curiosity and interest in problem solving
Flexible team player able to prioritize and delegate workload, juggling multiple projects
Strong sense of urgency to change, adapt, and push processes forward
Curiosity to ask “why” behind the data and dig into root cause opportunities
Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in planning and/or inventory management
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field (or equivalent combination of education/experience)
Ability to work in a Hybrid arrangement based in Raleigh, NC (four days per week in office)

Responsibilities

Place purchase orders from vendors to AAP Distribution Centers to maintain adequate inventory for company-owned and independent stores
Maintain proper inventory levels by reviewing KPIs such as weeks of supply and depth in-stock metrics
Track vendor POs from order to DC to ensure on-time and in-full shipping
Root cause supplier issues to maintain acceptable performance
Monitor product flow throughout the supply chain to create excellent customer experience
Participate in Lifecycle Management review process; determine path forward for slow-moving and obsolete inventory
Monitor inventory-turn performance and identify opportunities to optimize inventory levels
Conduct root cause analysis and troubleshooting for out-of-stock situations in stores or DCs
Lead in establishing strong, collaborative, vendor-facing relationships to define and achieve expectations
Mentor and develop less experienced Inventory Analysts
Develop and foster a cohesive team environment with immediate team and cross-functional partners
Review KPIs and reporting against targets to provide visibility to partners and leadership; measure progress
Tell data-driven stories using multiple sources to provide actionable insights
Work with large amounts of data and create reports for Senior Management
Conduct ad hoc analysis to understand business opportunities and develop plans
Effectively communicate with cross-functional teams, field members, and leadership to present data and resolutions
Demonstrate excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills to influence optimal outcomes
Proactively communicate and resolve issues regarding product flow from vendor to DC to store, preventing service disruptions
Optimize inventory levels at each node of the network and ensure product moves to the right location at the right time and volume
Manage the most critical or complex business categories and lead inventory activities for assigned businesses
Help build long-term strategy for the category in partnership with manager and cross-functional partners (Merchandising, Marketing, Pricing, Supply Chain)

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Inventory PlanningPurchase OrdersSupply Chain ManagementKPI AnalysisVendor ManagementRoot Cause AnalysisLifecycle ManagementInventory OptimizationDistribution Center Operations

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work arrangement for this position?

This position is part of a Hybrid work arrangement based in Raleigh, NC that requires four days per week in office.

What skills are required for the Sr. Inventory Planner role?

Advanced Excel and analytical skills are required, along with strong aptitude in retail math and inventory management.

What does the Sr. Inventory Planner do on a daily basis?

The role involves optimizing inventory levels, placing purchase orders, monitoring KPIs like weeks of supply and depth in-stock, tracking vendor POs, root cause analysis, and collaborating with cross-functional partners.

What is the team environment like at Advance Auto Parts for this role?

The role emphasizes developing and fostering a cohesive team environment with immediate team and cross-functional partners, mentoring less experienced Inventory Analysts, and building collaborative vendor-facing relationships.

What makes a strong candidate for the Sr. Inventory Planner position?

A strong candidate has advanced Excel and analytical skills, aptitude in retail math and inventory management, experience with data-driven storytelling, root cause analysis, and the ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams and leadership.