Inventory Planner

Excelligence Learning Corporation; Gardner (KS); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Excelligence Learning Corporation is seeking an Inventory Planner to join our Supply Chain team in the Kansas area. You will manage purchase orders, monitor stock levels, and coordinate with suppliers to ensure product availability while minimizing excess inventory.

The role requires hands-on experience with ERP systems, strong Excel skills, and the ability to analyze inventory performance. Collaboration with Merchandising, Sales, Logistics, and Finance is essential to drive customer service and

Qualifications

• 2+ years in inventory planning, purchasing or replenishment.
• Experience creating and managing supplier purchase orders.
• Experience monitoring inventory levels and replenishment activities.
• Experience with an ERP system.
• Strong Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Create, release, track, and manage purchase orders for domestic and international suppliers.
• Monitor inventory levels and execute replenishment activities.
• Support demand forecasting using historical sales and seasonal trends.
• Analyze product performance and inventory trends to inform purchasing decisions.
• Manage reorder points, safety stock, MOQs, and other replenishment parameters.
• Monitor supplier lead times and adjust purchasing plans.
• Balance inventory investment with customer service expectations and fill rates.
• Maintain ERP data and purchasing parameters.
• Plan inventory for seasonal demand and new product introductions.
• Identify slow-moving or excess inventory and recommend corrective actions.

Skills

Inventory planning

Purchase orders

ERP experience

Excel

Data analysis

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or related field

Tools

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

At Excelligence Learning Corporation, we believe that every child deserves access to exceptional educational products and learning environments.

As a leading provider of early childhood and elementary education products, we serve educators, schools, childcare centers, and families in more than 40 countries. Our family of trusted brands includes Discount School Supply®, Really Good Stuff®, Frog Street®, Children's Factory®, Colorations®, Angeles®, Learning Carpets®, and more.

Our success depends on a strong, efficient supply chain that ensures the right products are available when our customers need them.

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a highly organized, analytical, and detail-oriented Inventory Planner to join our Supply Chain team.

This is a hands‑on role focused on purchase order management, inventory replenishment, supplier coordination, and inventory optimization across a diverse portfolio of educational products.

The ideal candidate has practical experience placing purchase orders, monitoring inventory levels, managing supplier relationships, and making informed purchasing decisions to maintain product availability while minimizing excess inventory.

You’ll work closely with Merchandising, Sales, Logistics, Finance, and Distribution Operations to support customer demand, improve inventory performance, and contribute to the overall success of our supply chain.

If you enjoy working with data, managing inventory, solving supply chain challenges, and collaborating across departments, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

What You’ll Do

Inventory Planning, Purchasing & Replenishment

• Create, release, track, and manage purchase orders for domestic and international suppliers.
• Monitor inventory levels and execute replenishment activities to maintain product availability and minimize stockouts.
• Support demand forecasting using historical sales, seasonal trends, promotions, customer demand, and business forecasts.
• Analyze product performance, SKU productivity, customer demand, and inventory trends to support purchasing decisions.
• Manage reorder points, safety stock, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and other replenishment parameters.
• Monitor supplier lead times and adjust purchasing plans to accommodate changing business needs.
• Balance inventory investment with customer service expectations, fill rates, and inventory turnover goals.
• Maintain accurate inventory planning data and purchasing parameters within the ERP system.
• Plan inventory requirements for seasonal demand, promotional events, customer programs, and new product introductions.
• Identify slow-moving, excess, and at‑risk inventory and recommend corrective actions.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Merchandising to align inventory strategies with product assortments, vendor relationships, and business priorities.
• Collaborate with Logistics and Distribution Operations to coordinate inbound shipments and ensure inventory supports customer fulfillment.
• Work with Sales to understand customer demand, upcoming promotions, and sales opportunities.
• Coordinate with Finance to support inventory investment, working capital, and inventory performance objectives.
• Translate demand forecasts and business requirements into actionable purchasing and replenishment plans.
• Communicate product availability, expected delivery dates, and potential inventory risks to internal stakeholders.
• Proactively identify supply chain challenges and recommend solutions to minimize customer impact.
• Communicate with domestic and international suppliers regarding purchase orders, delivery schedules, and inventory requirements.
• Expedite purchase orders and resolve supplier delays or product availability issues.
• Monitor inbound international shipments in coordination with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and overseas suppliers.
• Support supplier compliance requirements and purchasing documentation.
• Monitor supplier performance, delivery reliability, and order fulfillment.
• Participate in supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

Inventory Analytics & Performance Reporting

• Monitor inventory performance and recommend adjustments to purchasing and replenishment strategies.
• Analyze inventory trends and operational KPIs using Microsoft Excel, ERP reporting, and business intelligence tools.
• Leverage Tableau, Power BI, and emerging AI tools to support data analysis and operational insights.
• Participate in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and inventory review meetings.
• Track and support improvements in key performance indicators, including:
• Inventory Turns
• Fill Rate and Service Level
• Weeks of Supply
• Forecast Accuracy
• Supplier On-Time In-Full (OTIF) Performance

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands‑on experience in inventory planning, purchasing, buying, replenishment, inventory management, or a related supply chain function.
• Demonstrated experience creating and managing supplier purchase orders.
• Experience monitoring inventory levels, managing replenishment activities, and supporting product availability.
• Experience working with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis, reporting, and spreadsheet management.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to make data‑driven inventory decisions.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Experience in a retail, wholesale, manufacturing, distribution, or supply chain environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience with inventory planning, purchasing, buying, or demand forecasting.
• Familiarity with international purchasing, import coordination, or overseas suppliers.
• Experience managing supplier relationships, lead times, and purchasing requirements.
• Knowledge of inventory optimization, safety stock, reorder points, and MOQs.
• Experience using Tableau, Power BI, or similar business intelligence tools.
• Familiarity with AI‑assisted data analysis and reporting.
• Exposure to Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.

What Will Make You Successful

We’re looking for someone who is proactive, dependable, and comfortable taking ownership of day‑to‑day purchasing and inventory decisions.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Enjoy working directly with purchase orders, inventory data, and suppliers.
• Can anticipate inventory needs and take action before shortages occur.
• Are comfortable balancing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Understand the importance of accurate inventory planning and customer service.
• Communicate effectively and build strong relationships across departments.
• Look for opportunities to improve processes, reduce inefficiencies, and strengthen inventory performance.

At Excelligence Learning Corporation, your work directly supports the educators and organizations helping children learn and grow.

You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a collaborative supply chain team, work across a diverse portfolio of trusted educational brands, and help improve the processes that keep essential learning products available to customers nationwide.

We’re also proud to have earned Great Place to Work® Certification for 2025–2026, reflecting our commitment to building a positive and supportive workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Excelligence Learning Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic