** Lead Analyst - Inventory Strategy & Optimization**

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New

BE PART OF SOMETHING **REAL**

**POSITION TITLE:** Lead Analyst Inventory Strategy and Optimization

**REPORTS TO:** Senior Manager Inventory Strategy and Optimization

As AEOs business model evolves, customer expectations change and supply chain costs continue to rise, managing inventory optimally is more important than ever. As part of the Optimization pillar, Inventory Strategy and Optimization team will play the key role of helping AEO mature in the inventory capability journey. The team will use analytics and data science to understand our strengths and opportunities, work with inventory planning team, technology partners and vendors to unlock product and process capabilities, enhance forecast and operations planning processes and help enhance our cash to cash cycle. As a core member of this team, the Lead-Inventory strategy and Optimization role will work with the senior manager to define, coordinate and implement the initiatives and work-streams for the team; be a hands-on contributor to initiatives and bring partnership across the organization along with championing/challenging peers to deliver great value. You will deploy techniques and methods to deliver sound operational results; exceeding customer expectations, delivering innovation and investing in key skill sets to grow within the company and also help company succeed through better management of its inventory.

**Your responsibilities include:**

* Be part of a team that leverages analytics and an insights-driven-approach to develop clear visibility into current state as well as help provide a pathway to future state optimization of inventory

* Collaborating within your team and other teams to deliver a globally optimal approach that benefits the overall supply chain and the company; improving speed, cost and service through proactive planning and operational excellence

* Working closely with partners such as Plantensive and Blue Yonder to understand product capabilities, current ways of working and approaches to unlock capabilities to mature on the inventory optimization journey

* Work on key initiatives to improve our cash to cash cycle; partner with transformation and inventory planning teams in the center of excellence format

* Enabling strong collaboration with inventory, inbound, outbound, DCs, services, planning, digital and finance; collaborating with data and product teams to close the loop between execution, strategy and technical capabilities

* Support peak planning activities by providing guidance around capacity needs and inventory builds

* Deliver results against established goals and priorities, while creating an environment where everyone can do their best work; investing in self training and development

* Invest in talent development through self-guided and professional trainings; serve as a role model for continued investment in upgrading of skills; encourage peers to follow

* Additional responsibilities as assigned

**Qualifications :**

* Bachelors Degree required in Logistics, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering or related field. Advanced degree (Masters) strongly preferred

* Minimum of 6 years experience working with supply chain management/logistics/inventory planning. Can be reduced for candidates with a graduate degree in a STEM field

* Demonstrated ability in working with data, performing analysis and converting the analysis to actionable insights.

* Prior experience leading data and analytics centric business initiatives and driving action across business functions.

* Understanding of supply chain concepts such as inventory, transportation and forecasting

* Retail experience is a plus

* Experience working with SQL, Python, R, Gurobi, SC Guru etc

* Strong communication including written/verbal; experience presenting to large audiences including top leadership

* Ability to build trust and effectively influence at all levels of the organization

* While travel should be minimal, should be willing to travel 2-4 times a year domestically

AEO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity ("EEO") laws. AEO prohibits discrimination against associates and applicants for employment because of the individual's race or color, religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, domestic violence or stalking victim status, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This applies to all AEO activities, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, assignment, training, promotion, performance evaluation, discipline and discharge. AEO also provides reasonable accommodation of religion and disability in accordance with applicable law.

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