Assortment Optimization Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary
The Senior Director, Assortment Planning & Modeling is responsible for defining and executing the enterprise assortment strategy across all channels, categories, and customer segments while leading the transformation from traditional planning methodologies to AI-powered decision-making.

This leader owns the development of advanced assortment optimization capabilities, predictive modeling, machine learning applications, and AI-driven decision support tools that improve inventory productivity, customer satisfaction, sales growth, and profitability.

The role serves as the strategic bridge between Merchandising, Inventory Planning & Replenishment, Data Science, Supply Chain, Finance, and Technology to ensure product assortments are continuously optimized through intelligent automation, predictive analytics and scalable governance frameworks. The Senior Director will lead and develop a high-performing team focused on building next-generation capabilities that enable the organization to place the right products in the right locations at the right time with minimal manual intervention.

Responsibilities
Enterprise Assortment Strategy

• Develop and execute the long-term enterprise assortment strategy.
• Define category-specific assortment frameworks across all product lines.
• Establish localized assortment strategies based on customer, vehicle, demographic, and market demand characteristics.
• Lead SKU rationalization initiatives to improve inventory productivity and profitability.
• Develop lifecycle management processes for new item introductions, product substitutions, supersessions, and obsolescence.
• Partner with Merchandising leadership to align assortment decisions with enterprise growth objectives.

Advanced Analytics & Optimization

• Leverage predictive modeling, machine learning, and optimization techniques to improve assortment decisions and inventory placement.
• Develop analytical models that identify assortment gaps, duplication, cannibalization, and expansion opportunities.
• Implement data-driven frameworks that anticipate customer demand shifts and emerging market trends.
• Enable intelligent recommendation engines that support planners with scalable, explainable decision support.
• Drive autonomous assortment recommendations through advanced optimization engines.
• Establish AI governance processes that ensure explainability, transparency, and trust in automated recommendations.
• Continuously improve algorithm accuracy through feedback loops and performance monitoring.

Advanced Modeling & Data Science

• Lead development of predictive models supporting assortment, demand forecasting, inventory placement, and network optimization.
• Develop customer segmentation models that improve assortment localization.
• Establish digital twins and simulation capabilities to evaluate assortment scenarios before implementation.
• Utilize machine learning techniques to optimize SKU productivity and category performance.
• Build analytical frameworks that quantify the financial impact of assortment decisions.
• Partner with technology teams to operationalize advanced models into business workflows.

Intelligent Systems Transformation Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi-year roadmap of assortment planning through analytics and intelligent automation.
• Drive organizational change management and adoption of AI-driven decision-making.
• Transition planning teams from transactional analysis to strategic exception management.
• Establish governance processes that balance automation with human oversight.
• Build organizational capability around AI literacy and advanced analytics.
• Create a culture that embraces experimentation, continuous learning, and innovation.

Network & Market Optimization

• Define assortment strategies by distribution center, market, store cluster, customer segment, and channel.
• Optimize inventory placement across the supply chain network.
• Identify opportunities to improve fill rates while reducing inventory investment.
• Develop market-specific assortment strategies that maximize customer relevance.
• Utilize predictive analytics to improve inventory productivity across all stocking locations.

Financial & Performance Management

• Own assortment-related financial performance metrics.
• Establish productivity targets for assortment optimization initiatives.
• Quantify and track benefits generated from AI and advanced analytics investments.
• Develop executive-level reporting and KPI dashboards.
• Ensure assortment decisions support revenue growth, margin expansion, inventory turns, and cash flow objectives.
• Partner with Finance to measure realized value from transformation initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Partner closely with Merchandising, Supply Chain, Inventory Planning, Technology, Data Science, Marketing, and Finance.
• Influence senior executives on strategic assortment decisions.
• Lead cross-functional steering committees focused on assortment optimization and intelligent systems adoption.
• Align enterprise stakeholders around a common assortment strategy and operating model.

Team Leadership
o Lead and develop a high-performing organization consisting of:

• Directors of Assortment Planning
• Assortment Strategy Managers
• Data Scientists
• Machine Learning Engineers
• Assortment Analysts
• Business Intelligence Specialists

o Build succession plans and leadership pipelines.
o Establish performance expectations focused on innovation, execution, and business impact.
o Develop future-ready capabilities across the organization.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, Analytics, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field.
12+ years of progressive leadership experience in assortment planning, merchandising, inventory optimization, analytics, or related disciplines.
5+ years leading large-scale transformation initiatives.
Experience implementing advanced planning systems and assortment optimization tools.
Strong understanding of machine learning, predictive analytics, and intelligent applications in retail or distribution environments.
Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and drive organizational change.
Experience leading large cross-functional teams

Leadership
Embodies the following values: serve, perform, influence, respect, innovate, team.
Delivers results and drives customer success by committing and focusing on outcomes to deliver results and making the customer the center of decisions.
Strategic Vision: Creates a future-state vision where AI and advanced analytics fundamentally improve decision quality and business performance.
Enterprise Thinking: Balances category, customer, network, and financial objectives to optimize overall enterprise value.
Digital & AI Leadership: Leverages emerging technologies to create sustainable competitive advantage.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Uses analytics, predictive modeling, and machine learning to improve business outcomes.
Change Leadership: Successfully leads large-scale organizational transformation and adoption.
Talent Development: Builds high-performing teams capable of operating in a highly automated, AI-enabled environment.
Executive Influence: Communicates complex analytical concepts in ways that drive executive action and alignment.
Innovation: Challenges traditional planning methodologies and continuously seeks new opportunities to improve performance through technology and automation.

Physical Demands / Working Environment
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing and operating office equipment
Occasional standing and walking during meetings or site visits
Ability to travel (air and ground) as required for business needs
Ability to lift up to 15-25 pounds occasionally (e.g., laptop bag, materials)
Visual acuity to review documents, data, and presentations
Ability to communicate effectively in person, via phone, and in virtual settings

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