(Senior) Manager Inventory Controlling Europe

PUMA; Perugia; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

PUMA is seeking an experienced Inventory Planner to lead forecasting, allocation, and stock-health management across European channels. You will partner with Sales, Merchandising, and European leadership to optimize stock, reduce ageing, and support liquidation strategies.

The role requires 3+ years in inventory control or demand planning within sporting goods, with strong Excel/Power BI skills and SAP/Anaplan/O9 experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in inventory controlling, demand planning, SCM finance, or merchandising operations within sporting goods industries.
• Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related field.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Power BI; ability to translate stock reporting for leadership.
• Understanding of seasonal retail/wholesale flow, pre-order vs re-order dynamics, and working capital drivers.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with Merchandising, Sales, and Senior Leadership.

Responsibilities

• Forecast future inventory levels and ageing across European channels; identify risks and mitigation actions.
• Drive allocation and balancing of stock across wholesale, retail, and digital channels to optimise availability.
• Identify slow-moving inventory and coordinate clearance and liquidation strategies with Sales and Merchandising.
• Monitor stock levels, turnover, and coverage to balance availability with minimising excess.
• Develop data-driven action plans to improve regional stock health and ageing; support monthly alignment sessions.
• Provide free stock overviews and dedicated article lists for liquidation purposes.

Skills

Excel

Power BI

Inventory forecasting

Stock management

Clear communication

Education

Business Administration / Finance / SCM / Logistics (degree)

Tools

SAP S4 Hana

Anaplan

O9 solutions

Job description

About the Role

This role leads inventory forecasting, allocation, and stock-health management across all European channels and distribution nodes. It works closely with Sales and Merchandising on clearance and liquidation strategies, and with European Management and the European Senior Leadership Team on regular inventory alignment. The position sits within the European inventory function, covering wholesale, retail, and digital/e-commerce channels.

Key Responsibilities

• Forecast future inventory levels and structural ageing across all European channels, anticipate critical stock positions such as licence articles and aging or obsolete collections, and translate insights into actionable risk-mitigation strategies.
• Drive the allocation and balancing of stock across European entities and distribution channels (wholesale, retail, and digital/e-commerce) to optimise regional availability and support localised demand.
• Identify slow-moving inventory early in its lifecycle and partner closely with Sales and Merchandising to design and drive timely, high-impact clearance, outlet, and alternative liquidation strategies.
• Continuously monitor and analyse stock levels, turnover rates, and coverage across all distribution nodes to balance product availability with disciplined inventory minimisation.
• Develop and recommend comprehensive, data-driven action plans to European Management to improve regional stock health and inventory ageing profiles, and prepare and support monthly inventory alignment sessions with the European Senior Leadership Team.
• Provide free stock overviews and dedicated article lists for liquidation purposes on a regular basis.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional experience in inventory controlling, demand planning, supply chain finance, or merchandising operations within the sporting goods, athletic footwear, outdoor, or apparel industries.
• Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related commercial field.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Power BI.
• Strong understanding of seasonal retail/wholesale flow, pre-order versus re-order dynamics, and financial working capital drivers.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex stock reporting into actionable decisions for Merchandising, Sales, and Senior Leadership.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with SAP S4 Hana and planning solutions such as Anaplan or O9 solutions.

The Application Process

1. Every application is reviewed by real people who are committed to fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity.
2. No automated systems or AI tools are used to make hiring decisions; AI-supported functions may be used for isolated organisational steps such as scheduling interviews and have no influence on decisions in the application process.

About the Company

PUMA is a global sports brand creating footwear, apparel, and accessories that inspire athletes and everyday movers. The PUMA Group owns PUMA, Cobra Golf, and stichd, operates in more than 120 countries, and has around 22,000 employees worldwide. PUMA looks for SPEED & SPIRIT in its candidates, defined by values that inspire employees to be driven in performance, vibrant in sporting legacy, and together in team spirit, while letting individual talent and experience shine.