Allocation Analyst

Hot Topic, Inc.; California; On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Hot Topic Inc. in California is seeking an Omni-Channel Allocation Analyst to help forecast demand, position inventory, and drive strategic assortment across channels.

You will develop allocation strategies, manage replenishment from backstock, analyze in-stock levels, and provide recommendations to buyers to optimize depth and store-to-layer ratios. The role requires strong Excel skills, analytical mindset, and the ability to balance priorities in a fast-paced retail environment; BA degree

Qualifications

• BA degree is required or equivalent.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills (formulas, pivot tables, dashboards).
• Excellent analytical and mathematical abilities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and adapt to change.

Responsibilities

• Develop a thorough understanding of category performance through frequent analysis.
• Create omni-channel allocation strategies including initial allocations, re-orders, and replenishment from backstock.
• Monitor in-stock positions regularly to support never-outs.
• Provide assortment recommendations to buyers to ensure depth and store-to-layer balance.
• Develop seasonal allocation plans to optimize inventory flow during peak periods and reduce post-peak liabilities.
• Propose test ideas and rollout recommendations to cross-functional teams.
• Identify re-order opportunities from a bottoms-up perspective.
• Create and maintain size scales and grades for your areas.
• Perform ad-hoc analyses as needed.

Skills

Excel

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Verbal & written communication

Education

BA degree

Job description

Do you love numbers and being analytical? We are looking for an Omni-Channel Allocation Analyst to join our team! In this role you will perform data analysis to anticipate customer demand, locate assortment opportunities, and accurately position the inventory. Here at Hot Topic we are open to fresh perspectives, and this role provides the opportunity to get creative when it comes to problem-solving.

What you’ll do

• Develop a thorough understanding of your categories' business through frequent analysis
• Applying your learnings, you will create omni-channel allocation strategies. These strategies include initial allocations, re-orders, and replenishment from backstock
• Analyze in-stock position regularly for company defined "never-outs"
• Provide assortment recommendations to buyers to ensure appropriate depth and all-store to layer ratios
• Develop seasonal allocation strategies to support the flow of seasonal inventory during peak periods. Maintain optimal inventory placement across channels and identify potential inventory gluts in-season. Partner with cross-functional team to reduce inventory liabilities post-peak
• Provide test style performance and roll-out recommendations to the cross-functional team
• Identify re-order opportunities and provide recommendations from a bottoms-up perspective
• Create and maintain size scales and grades (volume indices that determine a store's depth and breadth of assortment) for your areas.
• Ad-hoc analysis as needed

What you’ll need

• BA degree
• A thorough understanding of Microsoft Excel
• Excellent analytical and mathematical skills
• Ability to flex between working independently and within a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to balance competing priorities
• A positive outlook and the ability to adapt to change
• Retail allocation experience preferred but not required

$65,000 - $70,000 a year

Please note the pay range for this position starts as listed in the job posting, but other factors such as an individual's education, location, meeting the minimum job requirements for the role, training and experience, will determine the final salary for potential new hires.

At this time, we are not able to support new employment-based visa sponsorships due to current business needs and resource limitations. Should our sponsorship capabilities change in the future, we will update our process accordingly.

Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate's eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification ("Form I-9"). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.