Category Planner

Lenox Corporation – Category Planner

The Category Planner plays a crucial role in driving the success of the Lenox business through ownership of item level forecasting, inventory management and reporting/analytical functions. This role is the primary contributor to ensuring item forecasts are accurate and well-maintained and that item level inventory is well-positioned to maximize sales while minimizing risk. In addition, this role acts as a key contributor in collaborating with external accounts and analyzing the business to identify potential opportunities and risks.

This important position requires a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of item level forecasting, retail analytics and inventory management best practices coupled with the ability to successfully collaborate with other stakeholders, both internally and externally and clearly communicate strategies and results to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own, lead and drive the item-level forecasting process including regularly measuring forecast accuracy, developing forecasting techniques to improve forecast accuracy, understanding and appropriately managing item lifecycles and identifying potential business opportunities and risks within the forecast.
• Produce reporting that provides clear and insightful visibility of the business to both the planning team and other internal partners.
• Partnering with internal Lenox teams and external account planning teams to ensure our item-level forecasts include the latest strategies, trends and insights.
• Implement inventory management best practices to maximize sales, minimize out-of-stocks and improve turn. This includes ownership of PO recommendations, excess & obsolete inventory reviews and item ranking tiers, etc.
• Identify and recommend process and tool improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness. Be a champion of change.
• Develop functional expertise across all systems (including new ERP) and be a resource for others across the planning team and wider organization.
• Participate in the S&OP and LRP (Financial Planning) processes with the goal of aligning item level forecasts and inventory levels to the financial forecast.
• Other ad hoc activities as necessary to better understand, improve and drive the business forward. Including, but not limited to, reporting, meetings, collaboration, ideation, training, auditing and presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Merchandising, Supply Chain or related field
• 5-10 years of experience in item level forecasting, inventory management and retail analytics.
• Experience collaborating with business partners both internal and external to drive business and process improvements.
• Experience across an omni-channel environment including B&M and Ecom.
• Proven track record of positively driving sales and inventory improvements.
• Well-established analytical and problem-solving skills; coupled with an acute attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office tools and ability to quickly learn, master and leverage other systems.
• Experience with MS Dynamics 365 and Power BI a plus
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic and evolving business environment.
• Commitment to report to Corp HQ (Bristol, PA) Tues-Wed-Thurs each week (and as needed).