Inventory Planner - IRP

Lowe's Companies, Inc.; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Lowe’s, headquartered in Mooresville, NC, seeks an experienced Inventory Planner to develop and execute inventory strategies across stores, DCs, and digital channels. You will partner with Merchandising, Replenishment, and Supply Chain to optimize product availability, forecast accuracy, and working capital while maintaining service levels.

The role requires advanced analytics, ERP familiarity, and strong communication to influence leaders and cross‑functional partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Mathematics, or a related field; or equivalent years of experience in lieu of education requirement.
• 7+ years of experience in retail, manufacturing, or supply chain.
• 3+ years of experience in inventory planning, replenishment, merchandise planning, demand planning, retail operations, merchandise buying, or assortment planning.
• Experience independently managing inventory plans for complex merchandise categories, business units, or distribution networks.
• Advanced knowledge of inventory‑planning principles, including forecasting, safety stock, service levels, inventory turns, weeks of supply, product lifecycle management, and working‑capital optimization.
• Experience using Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar business‑intelligence and data‑analysis tools.
• Experience with RELEX, SAP, Oracle, Blue Yonder, Manhattan, or a comparable planning and supply‑chain platform.

Responsibilities

• Design inventory strategies that balance customer experience, financial objectives, and constraints.
• Manage inventory strategies across stores, distribution centers, and digital channels.
• Analyze demand forecasts, sales trends, inventory positions, and vendor performance.
• Recommend and execute inventory actions to address out‑of‑stocks, excess inventory, or aging stock.
• Establish and maintain inventory targets, safety stock, service levels, and planning parameters.
• Collaborate with Merchandising and Assortment Planning for promotions and launches.
• Coordinate with Replenishment and Supply Chain to execute plans across networks.
• Evaluate financial implications of decisions and provide data‑driven recommendations.
• Lead discussions translating system insights into actionable leadership decisions.
• Evaluate planning scenarios and guide leadership toward decisions under uncertainty.
• Monitor performance and adjust strategies based on results and evolving priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement of planning processes and governance.
• Support planning-system implementations, enhancements, testing, and adoption.
• Maintain accurate planning data and ensure compliance with controls.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Strong analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

SQL

RELEX

SAP

Oracle

Blue Yonder

Manhattan

Job description

Do your Best Work in Mooresville

This position is based at our headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina. Our corporate office is a space where you can collaborate and do your best work. Take a walk, grab a bite (or a cup of coffee), work out or get a check‑up – we invest in you so you can find your inspiration.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Your Impact

The Inventory Planner develops and executes inventory strategies for assigned merchandise categories, business units, or distribution networks to maximize product availability, inventory productivity, and financial performance. This role maintains inventory planning assumptions and parameters, independently manages inventory plans, recommends actions that balance customer demand, sales opportunities, service levels, supply constraints, and inventory investment across stores, distribution centers, and digital fulfillment channels. The Inventory Planner serves as a strategic partner to Merchandising, Replenishment, Assortment Planning, Supply Chain, Finance, and Store Operations. This role evaluates complex inventory and demand trends, identifies financial and operational risks, and influences cross-functional decisions throughout the product lifecycle, including seasonal planning, promotions, product launches, assortment transitions, and end‑of‑life management. The role requires advanced analytical judgment, strong business and financial acumen, and the ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations for leaders and cross‑functional partners.

What You Will Do

• Design inventory strategies that leverage system driven planning capabilities while balancing customer experience, financial objectives, and operational constraints.
• Manage inventory strategies across stores, distribution centers, and digital fulfillment channels, balancing product availability with inventory productivity and financial risk.
• Analyze demand forecasts, sales trends, inventory positions, supply constraints, lead times, and vendor performance to identify risks and opportunities.
• Recommend and execute inventory actions addressing potential out‑of‑stocks, excess inventory, aging inventory, capacity constraints, and changes in customer demand.
• Establish and maintain inventory targets, planning assumptions, safety‑stock strategies, service levels, and other inventory parameters based on category and business requirements.
• Partner with Merchandising and Assortment Planning to develop inventory strategies for promotions, seasonal events, product launches, resets, assortment changes, and product lifecycle transitions.
• Collaborate with Replenishment and Supply Chain partners to ensure inventory plans can be effectively executed across the distribution and fulfillment network.
• Evaluate the inventory and financial implications of business decisions and provide data‑driven recommendations to cross‑functional leaders.
• Lead decision‑making discussions by translating system insights into business actions, clarifying trade‑offs, and aligning cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Evaluate system generated planning scenarios, challenge assumptions, and guide leadership toward decisions under uncertainty.
• Monitor inventory performance against established plans and adjust strategies based on actual results, forecast changes, and evolving business priorities.
• Lead continuous improvement of system enabled planning processes, decision frameworks, and planning governance to improve organizational capability.
• Support planning‑system implementations, enhancements, testing, and adoption by providing inventory‑planning expertise and business requirements.
• Maintain accurate planning data and ensure inventory strategies comply with established financial controls, operating standards, and planning processes.
• Provide guidance, analytical support, and inventory‑planning expertise.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Mathematics, or a related field; or equivalent years of experience in lieu of education requirement, if applicable
• 7+ years of experience in retail, manufacturing, or supply chain.
• 3+ years of experience in inventory planning, replenishment, merchandise planning, demand planning, retail operations, merchandise buying, or assortment planning.
• Experience independently managing inventory plans for complex merchandise categories, business units, or distribution networks.
• Advanced knowledge of inventory‑planning principles, including forecasting, safety stock, service levels, inventory turns, weeks of supply, product lifecycle management, and working‑capital optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex financial, inventory, demand, and supply data and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.
• Experience developing inventory strategies for promotions, seasonal events, product launches, assortment transitions, or other significant business activities.
• Experience using inventory‑planning, forecasting, replenishment, ERP, or supply‑chain management systems.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, data modeling, and analysis of large datasets.
• Strong financial and business acumen, including the ability to evaluate the sales, margin, service, and working‑capital implications of inventory decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence decisions and build alignment across Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and other business functions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting analysis and recommendations to leadership.
• Ability to independently manage multiple priorities, solve ambiguous business problems, and make sound decisions in a fast‑paced retail environment.
• Experience using Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or similar business‑intelligence and data‑analysis tools.
• Experience with RELEX, SAP, Oracle, Blue Yonder, Manhattan, or a comparable planning and supply‑chain platform.

Preferred Skills/Education

• Knowledge of merchandise financial planning, assortment planning, purchase‑order management, or retail category management.
• APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management, Certified Supply Chain Professional, Lean Six Sigma, or another relevant professional certification.

About Lowe’s

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company with total fiscal year 2025 sales of more than $86 billion. Lowe’s employs approximately 300,000 associates and operates over 1,750 home improvement stores, 540 branches and 120 distribution centers. Lowe’s is a core value S&P 500 equity stock and a dividend aristocrat. Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs focused on creating safe, affordable housing, improving community spaces, helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts and providing disaster relief to communities in need. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

Lowe’s is an equal opportunity employer and administers all personnel practices without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, age, ancestry, national origin, mental or physical disability or medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other category protected under federal, state, or local law.

Starting rate of pay may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, position offered, location, education, training, and/or experience. For information regarding our benefit programs and eligibility, please visit https://talent.lowes.com/us/en/benefits.