Manager Inventory Planning

Ulta Beauty, Inc.; Bolingbrook (IL); On-site; USD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Job summary

Ulta Beauty, Inc. is seeking a Manager, Inventory Planning in Bolingbrook, IL to lead a team of analysts. You will oversee purchase orders, allocations, and inventory across stores and e-commerce, ensuring optimal stock to meet demand and omnichannel goals.

You will partner with Merchants, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, and Finance to translate forecasts into actionable inventory actions while driving process improvements and productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Analytics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in inventory management, merchandising planning, supply chain, or related roles.
• Exposure to multiple categories and/or channels is preferred; strong understanding of retail inventory operations.
• Experience leading or mentoring team members is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to monitor sales, inventory levels, and turnover.
• Proficiency with inventory and planning systems; Excel and SQL experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a team of inventory analysts responsible for purchase orders and allocations across stores and e-commerce.
• Collaborate with Merchants and Demand Planning to incorporate forecasts and historical trends into inventory decisions.
• Integrate planning and fulfillment with merchant/category pods to translate strategy into actions.
• Maintain optimal inventory to meet demand and support omnichannel fulfillment.
• Monitor inventory performance, identify variances and risks, and lead corrective actions.
• Align inventory plans with category strategies and business objectives with cross-functional partners.
• Drive consistency and excellence in PO management, allocations, and replenishment workflows.
• Translate data into actionable insights for leadership and partners.

Skills

Inventory management

Forecasting

Analytical skills

Excel

Power BI

SQL

Vendor management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Analytics, or a related field

Tools

Manhattan DFIO

SAP APO

Blue Yonder

Kinaxis

Anaplan

Job description

OVERVIEW

Discover greater levels of performance. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S. and an innovative omni-channel ecosystem, Ulta Beauty is revolutionizing the beauty retail experience. Ulta Beauty is expanding its digital capabilities, opening new stores on a continual basis and re-designing existing locations with the latest design and technological advancements for heightened guest experiences. We’re not just growing, we’re thriving through consistent innovation and a bold commitment to re-imagination. If you want the opportunity to build something strategic, to take ownership of your career trajectory, to apply your passion to operational excellence, Ulta Beauty provides the kind of stability and support few organizations can match. So be curious. Be flexible. Be more than you thought possible. The future is yours at Ulta Beauty.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE:

The Manager, Inventory Planning plays a critical role within the Inventory Planning team, reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Inventory Planning. This role is responsible for managing a team of inventory analysts who execute the day-to-day operational planning and inventory management activities, including ensuring forecast properly reflects all parameters that my impact an items selling, placing purchase orders with vendors and allocating product across stores and e-commerce channels.

The Manager, Inventory Planning ensures inventory is optimally positioned to meet demand, minimize stockouts and overstock, and support omnichannel fulfillment. This role partners closely with Merchants, Supply Chain, Demand Planning, and Finance to translate forecasts and business priorities into actionable inventory decisions. The Inventory Planner is also accountable for driving process consistency, team development, and operational excellence across inventory planning activities.

YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS BY:

• Oversee a team of inventory analysts responsible for placing purchase orders with vendors and allocating inventory across stores and e-commerce channels.
• Collaborate with Merchandise Planning and Demand Planning teams to incorporate forecasts, promotional plans, and historical sales trends into actionable inventory decisions.
• Integrates their inventory planning and fulfillment team with the merchant category/department pod team to ensure smooth translation of merchant strategies into forecast, inventory buying and stocking execution.
• Ensure inventory is optimally positioned to meet demand, minimize stockouts, reduce overstock, and support omnichannel fulfillment.
• Monitor and analyze inventory performance, identifying variances, risks, and opportunities, and lead corrective or preventive actions as needed.
• Partner with Merchants, Supply Chain, and Finance to align inventory plans with category strategies and business objectives.
• Drive consistency and operational excellence in inventory processes, including purchase order management, allocations, and replenishment workflows.
• Translate complex data into actionable insights and recommendations for leadership and cross-functional partners.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including process enhancements, system optimizations, and automation opportunities to improve inventory accuracy and productivity.

THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Analytics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in inventory management, merchandising planning, supply chain, or related operational roles.
• Exposure to multiple categories and/or channels is preferred; strong understanding of retail inventory operations.
• Some experience leading or mentoring team members is a plus, but not required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience monitoring key metrics such as sales, inventory levels, and turnover.
• Proficiency with inventory and planning systems (e.g., Manhattan DFIO, SAP APO, Blue Yonder, Kinaxis, Anaplan) preferred.
• Experience contributing to process improvements or operational initiatives is a plus.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with Merchants, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, and vendors.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Excel for analysis and reporting; familiarity with Power BI or SQL is a plus.

#LI-GH1

The pay range for this position is $88,200.00 - $110,000.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company’s bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs.

Benefits

• Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits.
• Part-time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits.

ABOUT

AtUlta Beauty(NASDAQ: ULTA),the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.