Merchandise Allocator

New Balance; Lawrence (MA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401K

Lifestyle reimbursement

Student loan assistance

Vacation

Job summary

New Balance’s Allocator role focuses on developing allocation plans for stores and categories to meet sales and margin targets while maximizing in-stock and turns. You will lead with buyers to drive decisions and ensure inventory aligns with lifecycle and EOL strategies.

Expect to partner across Merchandising, Planning and Operations, owning replenishment execution and KPI-driven inventory analyses in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in inventory allocation and replenishment planning.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to present data-driven recommendations.
• Experience collaborating with buyers, planners and operations.

Responsibilities

• Determine departmental and store level inventory projections to meet plans.
• Manage auto replenishment and adjust to sales trends and seasonality.
• Track PO flow and inventory to stores and DCs.
• Escalate flow issues and provide actionable recommendations.
• Develop and maintain seasonal allocation strategies and life-cycle management.
• Provide inventory analysis and reporting for cross-functional teams.
• Partner with buyers to analyze style inventory and communicate risks.
• Support store capacity planning and optimization.

Skills

Inventory planning

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Merchandise allocation

Replenishment management

Presentation of analytics

Tools

Allocation system

Job description

Who We Are

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

Who We Are

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

Job Mission

New Balance’s Allocator will develop the allocation plan and strategy for a group of stores, categories, or channels with the goal of meeting/exceeding sales and gross margin targets, while maximizing in-stock and inventory turns. The allocator will lead, share information, and partner with buyers in order to help drive buying and pricing decisions. Responsible to allocate merchandise to ensure stores/channel have the inventory to support sales and margin goals. This is done by having product at the right time, in the right place, at the right quantities, with an understanding of End of Life strategies for each product. Partnering with buyers, determine and maintain store groups and ranks on a seasonal basis. Execute initial set allocations, leverage the allocation and replenishment system to execute each product life cycle allocation, and manage the replenishment strategy.

Major Accountabilities

• Work jointly with buyers and planners to determine departmental and store level inventory projections and flow to support sales plans and achieve turn goals
• Manage auto replenishment and make adjustments based on sales trend, seasonal factors, and business needs
• Manage and track PO flow and inventory to retail stores or DTC DC.
• Escalate inventory flow issues with buyers and planners and provide recommendations
• Maximize shipping efficiency across the distribution network based on store and consumer location (Right product in the right location at the right time)
• Initiate seasonal Min/Max set-up and replenish key skus on a weekly/monthly basis or as needed.
• Create and maintain auto-replenishment and building model stocks.
• Determine appropriate allocation strategy for product type based on product life cycle to minimize EOL inventory.
• Develop allocation practices that take into account store capacity, demand, and seasonality.
• Provide inventory analysis and reporting that can be leveraged across team
• Identify and implement style curves/seasonality
• Evaluate Weeks of Supply and partner with buyers to execute End of Life Product strategies.
• Responsible for managing the store capacity sheet for inventory risks and opportunities.
• Perform various store level analysis to anticipate the needs of the business.
• Promote positive team environment within the Merchant Team
• Identify strengths and improve performance by supporting multi-skill development
• Must be able to clearly and concisely present analytical data and propose solutions in an organized manner to cross functional team
• Partner with the buying Team on seasonal Calendars, understanding key drivers, promotions, big ideas and new launches
• Develop business relationships with key internal Operations Team (Warehouse, Customer Care, IT, etc.)
• Partner with the buyers to analyze style level inventory and communicate risks/opportunities
• Partner with operations and distribution center for inventory flow and collaboration.

Lawrence, MA Corp Only Pay Range: $59,500.00 - $76,300.00 - $93,000.00 Annual (actual base pay varying based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, internal equity, geographic location, and more.)

Regular Associate Benefits

• New Balance offers a comprehensive traditional benefits package including three options for medical insurance as well as dental, vision, life insurance and 401K.
• We also proudly offer a slate of more nontraditional perks – opportunities like online learning and development courses, tuition reimbursement, $100 monthly student loan support and various mentorship programs – that encourage our associates to grow personally as they develop professionally.
• You’ll also enjoy a yearly $1,000 lifestyle reimbursement, 4 weeks of vacations, 12 holidays and generous parental leave, because work-life balance is more than just a buzzword – it’s part of our culture.
• Temporary associates are provided three options for medical insurance as well as dental and vision insurance and an associate discount.
• Part time associates are provided 401k, short term disability, a yearly $300 lifestyle reimbursement and an associate discount.

Flexible Work Schedule

For decades we have fostered a unique culture founded on our values with a particular focus on in-person teamwork and collaboration. Our North American hybrid model encourages rich in-person experiences, showcasing our commitment to teamwork and connection, while maintaining flexibility for associates. New Balance Associates currently work in office three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Our offices are fully open, and amenities are available across our North American office locations. To continue our focus on hybrid work we have introduced “Work from Anywhere” (WFA) for four weeks per calendar year. This model will help us enhance our culture while continuing to maintain elements of flexibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

New Balance provides equal opportunities for all current and prospective associates to ensure that employment, training, compensation, transfer, promotion and other terms, conditions and privileges of employment are provided without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, handicap, genetic information and/or status as an Armed Forces service medal veteran, recently separated veteran, qualified disabled veteran or other protected veteran, or any other protected status.