Merchandise Allocator

Kendra Scott; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kendra Scott in Austin, TX is seeking a Merchandise Allocator to join the Allocation team. This exempt, salaried role focuses on optimizing stock levels and allocation strategy across our multi-channel brand.

You will forecast sales, manage replenishment, and partner with Planning, Merchandising, Retail, and Marketing to support launches and promotions. The ideal candidate has 3+ years in allocations with strong Excel and retail math skills.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in allocations/replenishment for a multi-store retail organization.
• Proficient in Excel; ability to build tools for business analysis.
• Strong retail math and inventory management skills.
• Team-centered with excellent communication.
• Detail oriented with a quantitative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Forecast weekly inventory for Retail locations and Ecommerce to maintain target weeks of supply and in-stock status.
• Own replenishment module; balance min/max inventory with weeks of supply and upload replenishment orders.
• Maintain a global inventory view including Omni Channel needs; identify risks and opportunities.
• Collaborate with Production, Transportation, Marketing, Planning, and Merchandising teams.
• Provide weekly reporting on key metrics by store, region, and volume tier; support promotions.

Skills

Allocations/Replenishment

Excel

Analytical

Multitasking

Communication

Team player

Job description

We are a fashion-lifestyle brand of big dreams, colorful confidence, and inspired design. Founded on Family, Fashion and Philanthropy, we believe that our employees and customers are the heart and soul of our brand, and that giving back is the truest form of success. Fashion meets innovation in the design of our two state-of-the-art facilities based in the heart of Austin, Texas, and overflows into the design of our growing retail environment across the country.

Position Overview

The Merchandise Allocator is a professional member of the Allocation team and reports to the Manager of Allocation. This is an exempt, salaried position whose primary responsibility is to ensure proper stock levels and drive allocation strategy within our multi-channel organization, ensuring financial goals are achieved while supporting overall company initiatives. All below responsibilities are for specific categories owned.

Responsibilities

SALES FORECAST, ALLOCATION, AND REPLENISHMENT

• Analyze sales trends and develop weekly inventory forecasts for all Retail locations and Ecommerce; ensure all locations are at target weeks of supply and in-stock on current and core product
• Own system replenishment module – including selling profile, balancing min/max inventory levels with targeted weeks of supply; upload replenishment orders for the Distribution Center to execute
• Clear view of global inventory position, including Omni Channel needs; identify and articulate any risks, opportunities, and impacts to all areas of the company
• Partner with Production and Transportation teams to prioritize incoming orders based on business needs
• Manage Ecommerce inventory across multiple fulfillment locations; align SKU breadth and depth to hit demand and support fulfillment targets in each location
• Strategically allocate new product launches based on channel, store, and regional trends; identify opportunities to positively impact turn while still supporting visual merchandising needs
• Strategic partner in promotional process – analyze KPI’s and forecast inventory needs by location across Direct to Consumer channel and OMNI impact, ensure ability to exceed financial expectations
• Responsible for reporting out real-time product results on promotions to cross-functional partners
• Collaborate with Retail and Marketing partners to support special events and customer requests
• Build out New Store inventory sets – partner with merchandising on assortments, use comparable stores and style performance to determine appropriate product levels, coordinate execution timeline with DC
• Evaluate Retail volume tiers and localized store groups bi-annually, align cross-functionally on any changes, lead update process
• Provide weekly reporting on key metrics for all current and core product by store, region, and volume tier; analyze data to identify risks and opportunities and communicate to teams
• Execute quarterly inventory rebalances, communicate strategies and execution details to all partners
• Identify assortment opportunities by door, including color, classification and price points

CROSS FUNCTIONAL PARTNERSHIP

• Collaborate with Planning on distribution strategy, ensuring buy strategy and priority items are supported
• Partner with Merchandising, Planning, and Visual teams to confirm key focus items are available at the store level, and launch allocations can support the proposed floor sets
• Build strategic cross channel and functional relationships with key partners: Distribution Center, Retail leadership, Ecommerce, and Marketing
• Proactive communication with Retail Operations to align on Replenishment, Launch Allocations, and event support, considering sales goals, space constraints; share key details, timing risks, or changes to strategy
• Closely monitor product featured in customer facing messaging, confirm inventory position with Marketing and Creative teams, advise alternative options to creative if needed
• Share district and store level trends with cross functional teams, providing recommendations on how to drive the business
• Facilitate any Corporate Event or Affiliate inventory requests, creating orders to secure product needed; partner with Distribution Center to ensure orders arrive at location by requested date

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have

• 3+ years’ experience in a Allocations/Replenishment role for a multi store organization; corporate retail experience required
• Proficient Excel experience, ability to build tools for business analysis that drive results
• Self-starter with capacity to learn new programs and processes quickly
• Strong analytical acumen with proficiency in retail math and inventory management
• Strong organizational skills, multi-tasking and follow up are critical in a fast paced environment
• Detail oriented with a strong quantitative background
• Able to communicate complex issues in easily understood and concise communication
• Demonstrated experience working as part of a larger team where you were a contributing partner
• Meets challenges with flexibility, motivation and a ‘can do’ attitude

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.