Inventory Planner

FirstClub; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstClub is seeking an Inventory Planner to ensure optimal stock availability across categories and locations in Bengaluru. You will drive replenishment, forecast demand, and collaborate with procurement, warehousing, and suppliers to improve inventory efficiency.

The ideal candidate will have 3–6 years of experience in inventory/demand planning, strong analytical skills, and proficiency with Excel/Sheets and SQL. Knowledge of BI tools is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field.
• 3–6 years of inventory planning/demand planning experience.
• Experience in e-commerce, retail, FMCG preferred.
• Strong analytical and data skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain inventory plans across categories and locations.
• Forecast demand and plan replenishment.
• Monitor stock levels, safety stock, and reorder points.
• Collaborate with procurement, warehouse, and suppliers.
• Create dashboards and reports to track performance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or related field

Tools

Excel/Sheets

SQL

BI tools

Job description

As an Inventory Planner, you will be responsible for ensuring optimal inventory availability across categories and locations while minimizing stockouts, excess inventory, and wastage. You will work closely with category management, procurement, warehouse operations, and other cross-functional teams to develop inventory plans, drive replenishment, and improve inventory efficiency.

The ideal candidate should have strong analytical skills, an understanding of inventory management principles, and the ability to translate business demand into actionable inventory plans.

What you'll do:

1. Inventory Planning & Replenishment

• Develop and maintain inventory plans to ensure optimal stock availability across categories and locations.
• Monitor inventory levels and initiate timely replenishment based on demand, sales trends, and lead times.
• Define and maintain appropriate safety stock, reorder points, and minimum and maximum inventory levels.
• Coordinate with category and procurement teams to ensure timely purchase order placement and stock replenishment.

2. Demand Forecasting & Analysis

• Analyze historical sales, demand patterns, seasonality, and business trends to forecast inventory requirements.
• Identify potential stockout and overstock risks and take proactive corrective measures.
• Work closely with category teams to incorporate promotions, new product launches, and business growth plans into inventory forecasts.
• Continuously improve forecast accuracy using data-driven insights.

3. Inventory Health & Optimization

• Track key inventory metrics, including stock availability, inventory days, stock cover, fill rate, and inventory turnover.
• Identify slow-moving, non-moving, and excess inventory and recommend liquidation or corrective actions.
• Monitor ageing inventory and minimize wastage, expiry, and inventory write-offs wherever applicable.
• Drive initiatives to improve working capital efficiency without compromising product availability.

4. Cross-Functional Coordination

• Collaborate with category management, procurement, warehouse operations, and suppliers to ensure smooth inventory flow.
• Track supplier lead times, order fulfilment, and replenishment schedules.
• Identify supply constraints and work with relevant stakeholders to resolve inventory-related issues.
• Support new product launches and category expansion through effective inventory planning.

5. Reporting & Process Improvement

• Develop and maintain inventory dashboards, reports, and planning trackers.
• Monitor inventory performance and share actionable insights with stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to automate and improve inventory planning processes.
• Use tools and data analysis to improve planning accuracy, operational efficiency, and inventory visibility.

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 3–6 years of experience in inventory planning, demand planning, replenishment, or supply chain operations.
• Experience in e-commerce, quick commerce, retail, FMCG, or a similar fast-paced business environment is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to work with large datasets.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets; experience with SQL, BI tools, or inventory planning systems is an advantage.
• Good understanding of demand forecasting, replenishment planning, safety stock, lead times, and inventory optimization.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.