Assistant Inventory Planner Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Inventory Analyst – Procurement & Supply Chain

Position Summary

The Inventory Analyst is responsible for managing inventory investment, procurement activities, and product availability to support sales growth and operational efficiency. This role works closely with branch leadership, sales teams, suppliers, and operations personnel to ensure inventory levels are optimized, customer demand is met, and inventory-related costs are minimized.

The Inventory Analyst analyzes purchasing trends, forecasts demand, monitors inventory performance, and executes procurement strategies that improve product availability, increase inventory turns, reduce excess inventory, and maximize profitability.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Management

• Monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels to support customer demand while minimizing excess inventory.
• Analyze inventory turns, stock-outs, backorders, dead stock, overstock, and obsolete inventory.
• Lead SKU rationalization initiatives to improve inventory productivity and warehouse efficiency.
• Identify inventory imbalances and recommend transfers between locations when appropriate.
• Develop stocking strategies and inventory replenishment models based on sales trends and forecasts.
• Conduct regular inventory reviews and collaborate with branch teams to address inventory concerns.

Procurement & Purchasing

• Create, manage, and monitor purchase orders for assigned product categories.
• Analyze purchasing requirements and forecast inventory needs based on sales trends, seasonality, and market conditions.
• Coordinate with suppliers to manage lead times, order quantities, pricing, and product availability.
• Evaluate vendor performance related to service levels, fill rates, and delivery accuracy.
• Identify opportunities to reduce landed costs and improve procurement efficiency.
• Support volume-buy opportunities and strategic purchasing initiatives.

Forecasting & Analytics

• Utilize sales, inventory, and market data to forecast demand and inventory requirements.
• Develop reports and dashboards that track key inventory and purchasing metrics.
• Analyze trends and provide recommendations to improve inventory productivity and working capital utilization.
• Monitor purchasing performance and inventory-related KPIs.
• Present findings and recommendations to management teams.

Supplier & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Partner with Sales, Operations, Product Management, and Branch Leadership to align inventory strategies with business objectives.
• Support new product introductions, promotions, and inventory planning.
• Assist with regional inventory balancing and procurement initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Inventory Turns
• Stock Availability / Fill Rate
• Stock-Out Percentage
• Backorder Percentage
• Deadstock and Overstock Reduction
• Inventory Accuracy
• Forecast Accuracy
• Procurement Cost Savings
• Landed Cost Reduction
• Inventory Adjustment Performance
• Gross Margin Improvement Related to Inventory Strategy

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Operations, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2–5 years of experience in inventory management, procurement, purchasing, supply chain, or distribution.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred

• Experience in distribution, wholesale building products, manufacturing, or supply chain operations.
• Experience with ERP systems and inventory planning software.
• Knowledge of forecasting methodologies and inventory optimization techniques.
• APICS/CPIM or other supply chain certifications.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Highly analytical with strong attention to detail.
• Results-driven and comfortable working with large data sets.
• Strong business acumen and financial understanding.
• Effective collaborator who can influence decisions across departments.
• Proven ability to identify opportunities for cost savings, inventory improvements, and process efficiencies.
• Proactive problem solver focused on continuous improvement.

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