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Description
Allocation Manager
About Our Company
Lids Sports Group is the largest licensed sports retailer in North America, selling fan and fashion-oriented headwear and apparel across the US and abroad. Operating out of Indianapolis, IN, our retail stores offer officially licensed headwear and apparel from collegiate and professional sports teams, plus top brands like Nike, New Era, Lululemon, and Mitchell & Ness. In addition to our wide assortment, we are the industry leader in on demand customization.
We currently operate 1,300+ brick and mortar locations, including specialty concept stores for the NBA, NHL, Paris Saint-Germain, and the two largest MLB franchises, via our Yankees & Dodgers Clubhouse stores. Lids has built partnerships and collaborations with iconic global brands, creating a community where fans, fashion, and culture collide.
Position Summary
The Allocation Manager leads the development and execution of merchandise allocation and replenishment strategies to ensure the right product is in the right stores at the right time. This role partners closely with Buying, Planning, and Merchandising teams to align distribution strategies with financial plans, sales performance, and inventory productivity goals.
The Allocation Manager is responsible for optimizing inventory placement across stores, improving sell-through, and supporting profitable growth through data-driven decision making. This position also provides leadership and development for a team of Merchandise Analysts, ensuring operational execution, inventory accuracy, and consistent in-store presentation across assigned business areas.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Allocation Strategy & Inventory Optimization
• Develop and execute allocation strategies to maximize sell-through and profitability while minimizing markdown exposure.
• Analyze sales trends and inventory levels to ensure appropriate stock positioning for core, promotional, and seasonal merchandise.
• Identify and resolve stock imbalances through allocation of receipts and replenishment inventory.
• Monitor SKU productivity, store turn, and weeks-of-supply to support assortment and inventory planning.
• Develop store ranking methodologies and distribution models to optimize merchandise flow.
Forecasting & Performance Analysis
• Build forward-looking inventory forecasts to support proactive planning and replenishment decisions.
• Analyze geographic and store-level performance trends to inform allocation strategies.
• Evaluate merchandise performance across departments, vendors, and locations to identify opportunities and risks.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Merchandise Analysts.
• Partner with Buying, Planning, Supply Chain, and Store Operations to execute inventory strategies.
• Ensure stores maintain appropriate inventory levels to support presentation standards and sales objectives.
• Support new store openings through inventory planning and distribution coordination.
Additional Principal Duties and Responsibilities
• Communicate recommendations regarding store needs, distribution strategies, and sizing requirements.
• Lead discussions on product trends and category performance to inform inventory strategy.
• Oversee and synchronize merchandise movement including replenishment, transfers, and new store distributions.
• Participate in the design and implementation of location-specific inventory planning initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Job Required Knowledge and Skills
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, Fashion Merchandising, or related field and/or equivalent retail experience.
• Prior allocation or merchandise planning experience required.
• Strong retail math and analytical skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to analyze large volumes of data and translate insights into action.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated leadership and team development experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational skills.
Preferred Job Required Knowledge and Skills
• Experience in multi-unit retail inventory management.
• Experience leading merchandising or planning teams.
• Advanced forecasting or inventory planning system experience.
Physical and Travel Requirements
• Primarily sedentary work performed in an office environment.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods.
• Occasional standing, walking, and light lifting up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional overnight travel for training or business meetings may be required.