Sr Manager, Inventory Planning

Job Description
Company Overview
Party City Holdings, Inc. is the largest party goods supplier and party retail chain in the world. We are also the country's premier retailer of Halloween costumes, accessories, and decorations. Party City Holdings is made up of two divisions, Party City Retail Group (PCRG) and AMSCAN Wholesale. At Party City Holdings, we like to have fun! We are helpful, passionate, and creative. We inspire our customers with exciting concepts, themes and ideas and provide everything they need to bring them to life. We make it easy to create unforgettable moments.
Job Overview
The Senior Inventory Planning Manager is a key business partner to Merchandising, Merchandise Planning and vendors to drive sales while reducing inventory investment. This position is responsible for driving in stock by partnering with vendors to ensure adequate supply and optimizing the assortment. The role is responsible for the development and execution of processes and systems that are used to effectively manage inventory performance. This position will lead a team that will be accountable for the successful execution of planning and forecasting of inventory for the wholesale partners, retail stores and web. The Manager's team will analyze, order, monitor inventory flow, review in stock and turnover performance for goods greater than $200M of annual revenue.
Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and communicate comprehensive department inventory strategies, including alignment with multiple department plans and key inventory targets.
• Manage and support the implementation of the replenishment and inventory strategies to support assortment, merchandise, and promotional plans while achieving key metrics.
• Partner with customers from merchandise planning and wholesale to create the proper seasonal forecasts, curves and sell thru, execution of seasonal builds and exit strategies to maximize sales and turn.
• Supervise the production of reports, analytics, and recommendations in line with business strategy and goals, as well as present aggregated analysis, and performance reports.
• Review buying multiples, minimums, replenished forecasts, and vendor performance to optimize inventory performance.
• Manage the collaborative forecasting process with key vendors to drive in stocks and reduce overall inventory.
• Hire, train, and coach a Team of Planners and Specialists to perform successfully.

Deliverables

• 50% Effectively execute all Inventory Planning activities using metrics to track and improve performance along with providing coaching and leadership to direct reports to meet and exceed goals.
• 35% Develop and implement processes and system improvements related to replenishment activities.
• 15% Build a strong team and relationships with internal and external business partners to improve and drive overall business performance.

Requirements
Qualifications

• 7-10 years of proven and successful experience in planning, allocation, or replenishment in a retail environment
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
• Understanding of Inventory Management principles and systems
• Knowledge of Merchandising Strategy, Merchandising Execution (Field), and Store Operations
• Knowledge of the Supply Chain and Merchandising Process
• Knowledge of Distribution, Transportation, and Supplier Manufacturing Principles
• Well versed in financial inventory metrics
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a high-energy, fast-paced environment
• Superior analytical skills, with ability to dive in and quickly understand root cause and identify scalable solutions
• Excellent business judgment, strong written and oral communication skills, and a practical, common sense approach to getting things done
• High degree of organization and ability to manage multiple, competing priorities simultaneously
• Ability to analyze and provide recommendations to drive sales and maximize inventory potential
• A strong sense of ownership over work and results
• Communicates effectively with all levels of the organization
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience high level of proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access