Inventory Planner

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

Job summary

Excelligence Learning Corporation is seeking an organized Inventory Planner to own replenishment across a diverse product portfolio and partner with Merchandising, Sales, Logistics, and Operations.

You will manage purchase orders for domestic and international suppliers, monitor inventory levels, and optimize safety stock while balancing service levels and costs in a fast-moving education product supply chain.

Qualifications

• 2+ years hands-on experience purchasing and inventory planning in retail or distribution.
• Experience with ERP systems and Excel data analysis.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Finance, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Create, release, and manage purchase orders for domestic and international suppliers.
• Monitor inventory levels and replenish to maintain optimal availability.
• Manage reorder points, safety stock, MOQs, and replenishment parameters.
• Balance inventory investment with service level and fill rate goals.
• Coordinate with suppliers to expedite orders and resolve delays.
• Monitor inbound shipments and ensure inventory availability.

Skills

Inventory Planning

Inventory Management

Purchasing

Purchase Orders

Replenishment

ERP Systems

Excel

Cross-functional Collaboration

Communication

Problem Solving

Demand Forecasting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ERP Systems

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Help Shape the Supply Chain Behind Products That Inspire Learning

At Excelligence Learning Corporation, we're more than a distributor—we're the world's leading tech-enabled platform for early childhood and elementary education. Educators, parents, and children in more than 40 countries rely on our family of trusted brands, including Discount School Supply®, Really Good Stuff®, Frog Street®, Children's Factory®, Colorations®, Angeles®, Learning Carpets®, and more.

We're looking for a highly organized, detail-oriented Inventory Planner with hands‑on experience placing purchase orders, managing inventory, and ensuring products are available when customers need them. In this role, you'll own inventory replenishment across a diverse product portfolio, balancing customer demand, supplier performance, and inventory investment while partnering closely with Merchandising, Sales, Logistics, and Operations.

If you enjoy making inventory decisions, collaborating across departments, and helping keep a fast-moving supply chain running efficiently, we'd love to meet you.

What You'll Do

Inventory Planning, Purchasing & Replenishment

You'll take ownership of inventory execution by managing purchase orders and inventory levels to support customer demand while minimizing stockouts and excess inventory.

Responsibilities include:

• Create, release, and manage purchase orders for both domestic and international suppliers.


• Monitor inventory levels and execute replenishment decisions to maintain optimal inventory availability.


• Manage reorder points, safety stock levels, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and replenishment parameters.


• Balance inventory investment while achieving service level and fill rate goals.


• Monitor supplier lead times and proactively adjust purchasing plans based on changing business needs.


• Support demand forecasting using historical sales, seasonality, customer trends, promotions, and business forecasts.


• Continuously refine inventory plans based on sales performance, supplier constraints, customer orders, and market conditions.


• Maintain inventory planning parameters within the ERP system.


• Plan inventory to support seasonal demand, promotional events, customer programs, and new product launches.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Success in this role requires close collaboration across multiple business functions.

You’ll partner with:

• Merchandising to support assortment and inventory strategies.


• Sales to understand customer demand, promotions, and pipeline opportunities.


• Logistics to coordinate inbound shipments and inventory availability.


• Distribution Operations to ensure inventory supports customer fulfillment.


• Finance to help optimize inventory investment and working capital.

You’ll also:

• Translate sales forecasts into purchasing and replenishment plans.


• Communicate inventory availability and expected replenishment timelines.


• Identify inventory risks and recommend proactive solutions before they impact customers.

You'll develop strong working relationships with suppliers while helping ensure reliable product flow throughout the supply chain.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordinate with suppliers to expedite purchase orders and resolve shipment delays.


• Monitor inbound international shipments through freight forwarders, customs brokers, and overseas suppliers.


• Support vendor compliance initiatives and required documentation.


• Participate in supplier performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.


• Help improve supplier service, delivery performance, and inventory reliability.

Reporting & Inventory Performance

Use data to support informed inventory decisions and improve overall supply chain performance.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor inventory performance and recommend replenishment adjustments as business needs change.


• Participate in S&OP and inventory planning meetings.


• Track and improve key inventory metrics including:


• Inventory Turns


• Fill Rate


• Weeks of Supply


• Forecast Accuracy

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Finance, or a related field preferred.


• 2+ years of hands‑on experience placing purchase orders and managing inventory, replenishment, buying, purchasing, or inventory planning within a retail, wholesale, manufacturing, distribution, or supply chain environment.


• Experience managing inventory levels, replenishment, and supplier purchase orders.


• Experience working within an ERP system.


• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including data analysis and reporting.


• Strong organizational skills with excellent attention to detail.


• Excellent communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with one or more of the following:

• Inventory Planning


• Purchasing or Buying


• Demand Forecasting


• S&OP processes


• International purchasing or import coordination


• Power BI or Tableau

Key Skills

• Inventory Planning


• Inventory Management


• Purchasing


• Purchase Order Management


• Demand Forecasting


• ERP Systems


• Microsoft Excel


• Supply Chain


• Cross‑functional Collaboration


• Communication


• Problem Solving

At Excelligence, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by ensuring educators and students receive the products they need to succeed. You'll work alongside talented professionals across Supply Chain, Merchandising, Sales, Finance, Logistics, and Operations while helping drive inventory performance for a growing global organization.

If you're looking for a role where your purchasing and inventory expertise directly influences customer satisfaction and business success, we'd love to hear from you.

Excelligence Learning Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran