Junior Inventory Analyst

Kirby Corporation; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Savings Plan

Medical, dental, and vision programs

Paid vacation and sick time

Holidays and vacation

Flexible work schedules

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

United Holdings is seeking a Junior Inventory Analyst to support inventory planning, balancing product availability with inventory investment. You will use demand, usage, inventory levels, lead times, and open orders to identify trends and prepare recommendations.

This role is ideal for an early-career analyst who enjoys data, problem-solving, and cross-department collaboration. You will grow responsibilities across branches, product groups, and reporting as your knowledge expands.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Analytics, or a related field (or equivalent education/experience).
• Zero to two years of experience in inventory, purchasing, supply chain, operations, data analysis, or a related area preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills: formulas, filtering, sorting, and basic data analysis.
• Basic understanding of inventory management, demand planning, purchasing, or supply chain principles.
• Experience using Excel in academic or professional settings.
• Ability and willingness to learn Oracle, SAP Business Objects Environment, and other inventory or reporting systems.
• Working knowledge of warehouse, parts, logistics, or inventory operations is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain inventory Min/Max plans using historical data, current inventory, lead times, and other inputs.
• Review inventory recommendations for accuracy and alignment with planning guidelines.
• Analyze inventory performance to identify stockouts, overstocks, and obsolete inventory.
• Create and run reports using Excel, Oracle, SAP BO, and other reporting tools.
• Partner with branch teams to evaluate inventory needs and support transfers or rebalancing.
• Review replacement parts and item relationships that may affect demand history or stocking.
• Research inventory exception requests, document findings, and elevate complex issues.
• Prepare summaries of findings and recommendations for management and partners.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, Sales, Data Maintenance, Service Managers, and suppliers.
• Reduce excess and obsolete inventory through approved actions like rebalancing and returns.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and supporting documentation.
• Contribute to process improvement, reporting automation, and data quality.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Time management

Problem solving

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management

Tools

Excel

Oracle

SAP Business Objects

Job description

Overview

Build Your Career in Inventory Analytics

United Holdings is seeking a detail-oriented Junior Inventory Analyst to support inventory planning and help balance product availability with responsible inventory investment. You will use historical demand, product usage, inventory levels, lead times, and open-order data to identify trends, investigate exceptions, and prepare fact-based recommendations.

This role is ideal for an early-career analyst who enjoys working with data, solving problems, and collaborating across departments. You will begin with an assigned group of inventory plans and expand into additional branches, product groups, reporting, and analytical responsibilities as your knowledge and capabilities grow.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

• Maintain inventory Min/Max plans using historical sales, product usage, current inventory, open orders, lead times, product changes, and other planning inputs.
• Review inventory recommendations and exceptions for accuracy, reasonableness, and alignment with established planning guidelines.
• Analyze inventory performance to identify potential stockouts, overstocks, excess and obsolete inventory, slow-moving items, and rebalancing opportunities.
• Create and run reports using Microsoft Excel, Oracle, SAP Business Objects Environment, and other approved reporting tools.
• Partner with branch teams to evaluate inventory needs, research unusual demand or usage, and support inventory transfers or rebalancing.
• Review replacement parts, product supersessions, and item relationships that may affect demand history or stocking recommendations.
• Research product and inventory exception requests, document findings, and elevate complex issues when appropriate.
• Prepare clear summaries of findings, recommendations, and unresolved issues for management and internal business partners.
• Collaborate with Purchasing, Sales, Data Maintenance, Service Managers, Parts Managers, suppliers, and other teams.
• Help reduce excess and obsolete inventory through approved actions, including rebalancing, returns, reserves, scrap allowances, and offsetting orders.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, and supporting documentation.
• Contribute to process improvement, reporting automation, data quality, and inventory‑planning initiatives.

Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Analytics, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.
• Zero to two years of experience in inventory, purchasing, supply chain, operations, data analysis, or a related area preferred.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including formulas, filtering, sorting, and basic data analysis.
• Basic understanding of inventory management, demand planning, purchasing, or supply chain principles.
• Experience using Excel in an academic or professional environment.
• Ability and willingness to learn Oracle, SAP Business Objects Environment, and other inventory or reporting systems.
• Working knowledge of warehouse, parts, logistics, or inventory operations is a plus.

Skills That Will Help You Succeed

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to recognize trends and exceptions.
• High accuracy and attention to detail.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and handle multiple assignments.
• Ability to solve routine problems independently and appropriately escalatte complex or high-impact concerns.
• Comfort following established processes and documenting completed work.
• Adaptability as priorities, business needs, and responsibilities change.
• Professionalism, integrity, accountability, and a commitment to internal customer service.
• A desire to continuously build knowledge and apply feedback.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Inventory planning and optimization
• Demand and usage analysis
• Min/Max inventory management
• Excess and obsolete inventory reduction
• ERP and business reporting systems
• Cross-functional supply chain collaboration
• Process improvement
• Reporting automation and data quality

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods and frequently use a computer.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to occasionally bend, stoop, lift, carry, reach, and handle items with the arms, hands, and fingers.
• Ability to work in office, outdoor, and workshop environments.
• Normal vision with or without corrective lenses.
• Willingness to occasionally work more than eight hours in a shift when required.

• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Medical, dental, and vision programs
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Holidays and vacation
• Flexible work schedules
• Tuition reimbursement