Inventory Planner -- Orvis

Inventory Planner
Sunderland, VT

 

Position Summary
This position is responsible for creating a world class shopping experience for new and existing Orvis customers resulting in strong sales and profit growth.

Company Interfaces
The position reports directly to the UK Senior Merchandising & Inventory Manager, located in Sunderland, Vermont. This position interfaces internally with the Inventory Control team, Sourcing, Merchandising, Marketing, Retail Inventory Specialists, Web, as well as the UK Operations (Receiving, Quality Assurance, Customer Service, Accounts Payable), UK Inventory Management Staff and closely linked to US & UK Fishing Outdoor Departments. 

Key Performance Measurements
This position is evaluated on the ability to maintain the most profitable ratio relationship of order fulfillment (service level %), inventory turn, buy through %.

The current standards of performance measurement are:Maintain a 90%+ service level year-round. Meet all sourcing calendar forecast deadlines.

 

General Responsibilities

Preseason Forecasting/Planning:
Establish inventory needs for catalog, retail, web & dealer to ensure that product availability will match current demand and evolving trends. Prior to each selling season, the Inventory Planner is responsible for several key elements that include; creating forecasts and commitments that are balanced with seasonal buy strategies. Forecasting: Products must be ranked and assigned item attributes and groupings such as fabric, key item, appropriate items (China, Fish and Wildlife identified items etc.). Forecasts will be in accordance with the agreed upon buy policies and communicated to the various teams throughout the company to enable the Merchants and Sourcing to confirm and place product. Buy Strategies: Responsible for the optimization of inventory levels matching the projected demand while balancing initial fill rate and inventory turns, concurrently managing and minimizing the risk of overstocks and the liabilities of distressed inventory. Determine which of those appropriate direct ship items require FOB costs, contact vendor, and update system for cost and code UK system accordingly.

Placement and execution of all direct ship initial item purchase orders must have most effective placement to ensure timely delivery via the most cost effective shipping method.

Item setup and ordering:
Play a key role in item set up and ordering. Review item for proper set-up including style, size, color, cost, and placement assuring Orvis protocol is met by each channel, follow through by proofing catalog and web/email copy for accuracy of assigned prefix code, item number, color/pattern, size, and retail price, anglicize accordingly and overall copy proofing.  Also: Review USA catalogs at Final File to identify items that can be added to UK web (create list, determine if BYRD tax, inform appropriate person to calculate UK retails and entered onto system, supply list to web advertising for creation of web pages, anglicize copy, inform UK Merchandise Information Specialist for placement of prompts for personalization/ hemming/ BOM’s, and finally to Web Merchant Analyst for web page placement).

System Maintenance:
Placement and removal of CNS by 8 digit. Review and remove duplicate orders on UK AS400. Maintain revised ship, delivery and lead time dates in system.  Maintain Perpetual Inventory for drop ship items.

An inventory planner is responsible for the confirmation of shipments working closely with QAD and receiving to monitor goods for quality and quantity, and to communicate with the vendor concerning Vendor Compliance guidelines.

In season monitoring and re-orders:
The inventory planner regularly reviews product performance in season to monitor demand, inventory levels, on hand, on order, and reorder/cancellations as indicated by open-to-buy and forward coverage models using the disciplines, tools and reports established within our Best Practice Guidelines. Upon recognition of trends, action must be taken to modify future forecasts to reflect item success or failure. The planner is responsible for determining the item’s disposition; this may result in the placement of re-orders, or the discontinuing and/or discounting of stock. Review USA winners and take appropriate action to protect UK fulfillment for both catalog and retail.

Create a weekly Fishing Inventory Newsletter:
Communicate inventory levels, backorder status, expected deliveries and order deadline dates to US/UK management teams as well as UK Retail Fishing Managers.

 

Qualifications Required Results-oriented individual with strong numerical, mathematical and negotiation skills. Must be highly analytical, detail oriented and have excellent judgment and decision making ability. Possess excellent communication skills. Ability to meet deadline is a must. Interest in fishing and the sporting lifestyle a plus. BA/BS degree in business related field, plus 3 years experience.

 

To apply for this position, please email your RESUME, COVER LETTER and SALARY HISTORY to careers@orvis.com . In the subject line, please type in your Full Name -- Inventory Planner.

You will be contacted if we believe that your submission is a fit with our needs. Thank you for expressing an interest in Orvis. We are proud of our company heritage and sporting traditions!

 

About Orvis -- www.orvis.com

"Mountain views. Woodland trails. And you haven't even left the office yet." If you love the outdoors, a career at the Orvis Company is a dream come true.

Since 1856, the Orvis Company has been America's premier sporting outfitter. Today, we offer distinctive men’s and women’s apparel, fine furnishings and gifts for the home, pet accessories, and the world’s best fly fishing rods and equipment. Orvis is headquartered in beautiful Manchester, Vermont with major operations in Roanoke, Virginia and the U.K. We work in an energetic, team-oriented environment, setting the very highest standards for service to our customers. As the longest-running outdoor mail order business in the country, our name has stood for outdoor traditions, quality, and customer satisfaction for more than 150 years.



Orvis offers competitive compensation commensurate with scope of responsibilities and experience required; plus a comprehensive benefits package including medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, 401K, generous Associate Discounts, and other excellent benefits.