Allocation Analyst

Jobtailor; Edina (MN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Edina, MN seeks an Allocation specialist to manage inventory and optimize replenishment across stores and e-commerce. You will collaborate with Buyers/Planners to execute allocation strategies, monitor stock levels against sales trends, and drive efficiency in product flows.

Strong Excel skills and 2+ years of allocation experience are required. This role emphasizes data-driven decision making, attention to detail, and adaptability to shifting priorities while supporting new store

Qualifications

• 2+ years in allocation or related retail planning role.
• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency with data-driven decision making.
• Proficient in Excel; ability to manipulate large data sets and create reports.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in operational execution.
• Able to adapt to shifting priorities and drive tasks to completion.

Responsibilities

• Manage inventory and allocate orders to retail stores and e-comm across multiple product categories.
• Apply allocation and replenishment best practices to ensure inventory in the right location at the right time.
• Collaborate with Buyers and Planners on replenishment programs across the product life cycle.
• Execute replenishment orders so bought quantities and stock align with sales trends.
• Provide timely communication of purchase orders and vendor coordination for on-time delivery.
• Use data and critical thinking to develop allocation strategies and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Maintain size profiles and localization strategies by category for accurate future allocations.
• Support in opening new stores by ensuring optimal inventory levels by category.
• Coordinate product transfers and consolidations to maximize sales and margin.

Skills

Allocation experience

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Initiative

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing inventory and order allocation to retail stores and ecomm across multiple product categories
• Utilize allocation and replenishment best practices, including tools and processes, to ensure the right inventory is in the right location at the right time to maximize sales and profitability
• Partner with Buyers and Planners to manage key replenishment programs throughout the product life cycle.
• Execute replenishment orders and ensure that buy quantities and stock levels meet current sales trends to maximize sales during key selling periods
• Manage inventory flow by prioritizing initial order and reorder allocations based on purchase order due dates, and communicate purchase orders details with vendors to ensure on time product delivery
• Use a combination of data, expertise, and critical thinking to develop allocation strategies and proactively look for opportunities to ensure accurate allocations
• Manage localization strategies by category that ensure product relevancy and profitable sales
• Manage the maintenance of size profiles to ensure accurate allocation of future orders based on historical store performance
• Assist in the execution of new store openings, to ensure each location has optimal inventory levels by category
• Execute product transfers and consolidations, to maximize sales and margin performance
• Work closely with Buyers and Planners on special projects that identify sales and inventory opportunities and use specialized point of view to influence inventory management decisions
• Recommend changes and enhancements to improve current allocation processes and tools and identify ways to increase efficiencies.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of allocation experience and/or graduate of a 4-year Retail Merchandising or Business program
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Strong retail planning analytical skills
• Proficient in Excel
• Self-motivator who takes initiative and ownership over managing and completing tasks
• Innovative thinker and problem solver with ability to implement improvements to existing processes
• Meticulous attention to detail in operational execution
• Easily adapts to work with frequent shifts in direction
• Excellent organizational skills and interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of Excel