Allocation Analyst I

Big Lots; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Lots in Seattle is seeking a developmental Allocation Analyst I to learn the skills required for an Allocation Analyst II. The role is entry level with supervision from senior team members, performing duties at the II level when appropriate.

You will forecast store needs, coordinate with buyers and planners, and develop inventory plans for new stores, with observations to improve performance and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• College degree preferred.
• 1-2 years in retail, business analysis or business planning.
• Excellent communication, both oral and written.
• Strong analytical and evaluative skills for trends.
• Able to learn new processes and tools quickly.
• Capable of cross-functional teamwork to achieve results.

Responsibilities

• Develops store forecasts considering class, assortment, location and sales basis.
• Coordinates with Buyer/Planner/Presentation to ensure minimum quantities.
• Develops inventory plans/forecasts for new stores based on targets.
• Provides observations and recommendations to improve performance.
• Allocates merchandise per strategy for new stores and ad items.
• Delivers information to Allocation Management, including summaries and trailers.
• Brings insights to the integrated team and seeks feedback/approval.
• Supports analysts with requested analyses from data.
• Visits local stores to observe allocation impacts.
• Coordinates Release schedule with DC and management for timely allocation.

Skills

Excellent communication

Strong analytical

Cross-functional teamwork

Learning agility

Problem solving

Education

College degree

Tools

Spreadsheet software

Word processing

Data warehouse tools

Job description

Overview

A developmental position which provides the opportunity to learn and master the skills and qualities required of an Allocation Analyst II. Being the entry level position in Allocation, duties and responsibilities are identical to those of an Allocation analyst II, but may be performed with supervision from senior members of the allocation team.

Responsibilities

1. Develops Store Forecasts, taking into consideration such factors as:
   • Level at which to develop the forecast (class, group of subclasses, subclass, other).
   • Assortment factors (all-chain or partial chain-buy and customer characteristics by location).
   • High-volume or square-footage considerations.
   • Appropriate Sales Basis.
   • Other factors, as appropriate.
2. Coordinates with Buyer, Planner and Presentation Department to insure stores have appropriate minimum quantities to properly present the product.
3. Develops Inventory Plans and Forecasts for New Stores based on overall sales targets with adjustments for products influenced by specific customer characteristics.
4. Provides observations, conclusions and recommendations based on comparing actual results to the forecast and allocation strategies for the purpose of improving future performance:
   • Recommends future product edits based on sales performances of similar products.
   • Recommends purchase quantities and sales opportunities based on sales performances of similar products.
   • Recommends potential feature items (ad, end-cap, seasonal areas) based on sales and inventory performance and position.
5. Allocates received merchandise according to an agreed upon strategy with the buyer and the planner, with special attention given to the following:
   • New Stores, ensuring their planned and forecasted inventories are achieved.
   • Ad Merchandise, ensuring agreed upon minimum presentation expectations are met.
6. Provides information to Allocation Management, as requested. Types of information expected include:
   • A summary of inventory issues or points needing clarification for weekly communication to the field management team.
   • Recommendations for trailer prioritization.
   • Other information, as needed.
7. Contributes business insights to the integrated buyer, planner, allocation analyst team on a regular basis. Obtains feedback and approval for forecast and allocation strategies from buyer and planner team members.
8. Supports buyers and planners with requested analyses, with a focus on providing observations, conclusions and recommendations based on the gathered data.
9. Visits local stores regularly to see how allocation actions affect stores.
10. Coordinates the Allocation "Release" schedule with allocation team members, the Distribution Center and Allocation Management, ensuring timely allocation of all products, but with special attention given to featured items such as ad, end-cap and seasonal items.

Accountabilities

1. Achieves annual Sales Dollar, Margin Dollar and Inventory Turn targets for assigned product areas at chain level.
2. Maintains Inventory Balance across the chain, as measured by the number of stores that fall within a specified percentage of the Company Average Weeks-of-Supply.
3. Allocates merchandise received in a timely fashion.
4. Properly places Ad Merchandise.
5. Allocates New Store inventories to the agreed upon level.
6. Others, as established by the Management Team.

Qualifications

1. College degree, preferred.
2. One to two years of retail, business analysis or business planning experience.
3. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
4. Strong analytical and evaluative skills, including the ability to prioritize, recognize trends and problem solve.
5. System capable in spreadsheet, word processing, analytical and data warehouse tools.
6. Capable of learning new processes and tools quickly.
7. Capable of achieving business results through cross-functional team-work.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.