Supply Chain Analyst – Inventory and Distribution Planning

HR Service Jobs; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Statutory benefits

Job summary

HR Service Jobs is seeking a detail-oriented Supply Chain Analyst – Inventory and Distribution Planning to support inventory management, distribution planning, and supply chain operations in Ottawa. You will analyse inventory performance and collaborate with procurement, warehouse, logistics, and sales teams to ensure products are available at the right location and time.

Proficiency with Excel, ERP systems such as SAP/Oracle/Dynamics, and reporting tools is expected, along with strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Strong analytical and numerical reasoning skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and reporting tools.
• Experience with ERP/WMS or supply chain systems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Inventory analysis and monitoring across warehouses and distribution centres.
• Develop data-driven recommendations to improve stock availability and distribution efficiency.
• Coordinate with procurement, warehouse, logistics, sales and demand planning teams.
• Prepare regular reports on inventory turnover, stock levels, and service performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve replenishment accuracy.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Data analysis

Excel

Cross-functional

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

HR Service Jobs is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Supply Chain Analyst – Inventory and Distribution Planning to support efficient inventory management, distribution planning, and supply chain operations. This role is ideal for a professional who enjoys working with data, identifying operational improvements, and helping businesses maintain the right inventory levels while meeting customer demand.

The successful candidate will analyse inventory performance, monitor stock availability, evaluate distribution requirements, and develop data-driven recommendations to improve supply chain efficiency. Working closely with procurement, warehouse operations, logistics, sales, and demand planning teams, the Supply Chain Analyst will help ensure that products are available at the right location, at the right time, and at an appropriate cost.

The role requires strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to communicate insights effectively to stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with spreadsheets, inventory management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms, and reporting tools to transform operational data into actionable business recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Inventory Analysis and Monitoring: Track inventory levels across warehouses, distribution centres, and other storage locations to maintain optimal stock availability.
• Distribution Planning: Analyse distribution requirements and support the development of efficient product movement plans based on demand, delivery schedules, and stock availability.
• Demand and Supply Planning: Review historical sales data, consumption patterns, seasonal variations, and demand forecasts to identify potential inventory shortages or excess stock.
• Stock Replenishment: Recommend appropriate replenishment quantities and reorder points to minimise stockouts while avoiding unnecessary inventory accumulation.
• Inventory Accuracy: Compare system records with physical stock reports, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate corrective actions with warehouse and inventory teams.
• Performance Reporting: Prepare regular reports on inventory turnover, stock availability, order fulfilment, distribution costs, backorders, and service levels.
• Data Analysis: Use spreadsheets, databases, dashboards, and supply chain systems to identify trends, investigate operational issues, and support informed decision-making.
• Warehouse Coordination: Work with warehouse teams to improve stock allocation, storage utilisation, picking efficiency, and dispatch planning.
• Logistics Coordination: Collaborate with transportation and logistics teams to support delivery scheduling, shipment tracking, route planning, and distribution performance monitoring.
• Cost Optimisation: Identify opportunities to reduce carrying costs, transportation expenses, unnecessary transfers, and other avoidable supply chain costs.
• Supplier Coordination: Support communication with procurement and suppliers regarding replenishment schedules, lead times, availability, and delivery commitments.
• Risk Management: Identify potential supply disruptions, delayed shipments, demand fluctuations, and inventory shortages, recommending practical mitigation strategies.
• Process Improvement: Evaluate existing inventory and distribution processes and recommend improvements to accuracy, productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with procurement, sales, finance, customer service, operations, and planning teams to align inventory decisions with business requirements.
• Documentation and Compliance: Maintain accurate inventory reports, planning records, operational documentation, and relevant audit trails.
• Continuous Improvement: Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), assess planning effectiveness, and contribute to initiatives that improve supply chain reliability.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Operations Management, Industrial Engineering, Data Analytics, or a related discipline.
• Strong analytical and numerical reasoning skills, with the ability to interpret inventory and distribution data.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookup functions, pivot tables, data filtering, and reporting.
• Familiarity with inventory management principles, warehouse operations, distribution planning, and supply chain processes.
• Understanding of demand forecasting, stock replenishment, safety stock, reorder points, and inventory turnover.
• Experience with or knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar platforms is desirable.
• Ability to prepare clear reports, dashboards, summaries, and recommendations for operational and management teams.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining data accuracy.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Good problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to identifying operational inefficiencies.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and respond constructively to changing business requirements.
• Willingness to learn new technologies, reporting systems, and supply chain planning methods.

Experience

• Entry-Level Candidates: Recent graduates with relevant academic knowledge, strong Excel skills, and an interest in inventory management and logistics may be considered for junior opportunities.
• Preferred Experience: Approximately 1–3 years of experience in supply chain analysis, inventory control, logistics coordination, distribution planning, procurement support, or warehouse operations.
• Analytical Experience: Previous exposure to operational reporting, inventory reconciliation, forecasting, or KPI tracking is an advantage.
• Systems Experience: Familiarity with ERP platforms, warehouse management systems (WMS), or supply chain planning software is beneficial.
• Industry Background: Experience in retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, wholesale distribution, consumer goods, or third-party logistics would be useful.

Candidates who demonstrate strong analytical potential and a willingness to develop their supply chain expertise are encouraged to apply, subject to the requirements of the specific vacancy.

Working Hours

Standard full-time working hours, typically 40 hours per week, depending on the employment arrangement and applicable local requirements.

Working schedules will be communicated during the recruitment process.

Some flexibility may be required to support inventory reviews, month-end reporting, peak-demand periods, or urgent distribution requirements.

Occasional coordination with warehouse teams, suppliers, or colleagues in different time zones may be necessary.

Remote, hybrid, or office-based working arrangements may be available depending on the position and operational requirements.

Part-time or flexible arrangements may be considered where supported by the specific vacancy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Technical Knowledge

• Understanding of inventory planning, stock allocation, replenishment, distribution networks, and warehouse operations.
• Knowledge of supply chain KPIs, including inventory turnover, fill rate, order fulfilment rate, stockout frequency, and inventory accuracy.
• Familiarity with demand forecasting methods, lead-time analysis, safety stock calculations, and inventory control practices.
• Understanding of logistics costs, transportation planning, supplier lead times, and delivery performance.
• Awareness of ERP, WMS, and supply chain reporting tools.

Analytical Skills

• Ability to analyse large datasets and identify trends, exceptions, and inconsistencies.
• Capability to compare forecast demand with actual sales or consumption.
• Skill in identifying slow-moving, obsolete, excess, and insufficient inventory.
• Ability to translate analytical findings into practical inventory and distribution recommendations.
• Strong attention to detail when validating data and preparing reports.

Communication and Collaboration

• Ability to explain findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Confidence in coordinating with procurement, logistics, warehousing, finance, and sales teams.
• Professional written communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to contribute to team discussions and support shared operational objectives.

Personal Attributes

• Organised, dependable, and committed to maintaining accurate records.
• Curious and analytical, with a continuous-improvement mindset.
• Adaptable when priorities, forecasts, or delivery requirements change.
• Responsible in handling business information and operational data.
• Comfortable working independently while knowing when to seek guidance or elevate risks.

Benefits

• Competitive salary aligned with qualifications, relevant experience, and role responsibilities.
• Opportunities to develop expertise in supply chain analytics, inventory management, and distribution planning.
• On-the-job training in inventory systems, ERP platforms, reporting tools, and operational processes.
• Professional development opportunities and access to relevant training programmes.
• Potential remote or hybrid working options where the position permits.
• Paid leave and applicable statutory employment benefits.
• Supportive team collaboration and opportunities to work with professionals across different business functions.
• Exposure to real-world supply chain challenges, performance analysis, and process improvement initiatives.
• Opportunities to progress into senior supply chain analyst, inventory planning specialist, demand planner, logistics analyst, or supply chain management roles.
• Recognition for contributions to operational efficiency, cost optimisation, and service-level improvements.
• Specific benefits, compensation, and working arrangements will be confirmed during the recruitment process.

Why Join HR Service Jobs?

Joining HR Service Jobs for a Supply Chain Analyst – Inventory and Distribution Planning opportunity can provide a platform to develop valuable analytical and operational skills in a business-critical function.

Make a Measurable Impact: Your work can help improve stock availability, reduce avoidable inventory costs, and support more reliable product deliveries.

Develop In-Demand Skills: Build practical knowledge of supply chain analytics, forecasting, inventory optimisation, ERP systems, and distribution performance.

Work Across Business Functions: Collaborate with procurement, warehouse, logistics, sales, and operations professionals to understand how supply chain decisions affect overall business performance.

Grow Your Career: Develop a foundation for future opportunities in inventory planning, demand forecasting, logistics analysis, operations management, and supply chain strategy.

Solve Meaningful Problems: Use data and structured analysis to investigate stock discrepancies, improve replenishment decisions, and support more efficient distribution processes.

Contribute to Continuous Improvement: Participate in initiatives that strengthen operational accuracy, reduce waste, improve productivity, and enhance customer satisfaction.

HR Service Jobs aims to connect candidates with relevant employment opportunities. The precise role, employer, work arrangement, and benefits should be verified against the official vacancy details before accepting an offer.