Inventory Planning - Manager (General Merchandise)

At CVS Health, we’re building a world of health around every consumer and surrounding ourselves with dedicated colleagues who are passionate about transforming health care.

As the nation’s leading health solutions company, we reach millions of Americans through our local presence, digital channels and more than 300,000 purpose-driven colleagues – caring for people where, when and how they choose in a way that is uniquely more connected, more convenient and more compassionate. And we do it all with heart, each and every day.

Position Summary

The Inventory Planner is accountable for managing/shaping demand for a group of retail products working collaboratively with Category Management, gaining consensus on one forecast that drives the business.

The Planner has overall responsibility for accurately managing the forecast across a set of products/categories so that the business may be appropriately planned based on that forecast.

The Planner will work collaboratively with other parts of the business to ensure that key factors that influence demand are understood and reflected in the forecast.

Responsibilities:

• Achieve sales, margin, in-stock and inventory targets.
• Collaborate with Buyers, Planners, and Analysts on item flows, JDA forecasts, seasonal plans and advertising schedule.
• Develop and maintain baseline forecasts using JDA Demand module.
• Develop and maintain promotional, seasonal and event forecasts using Soft Solutions.
• Monitor Forecast accuracy and resolve exceptions with high/low bias with the goal of improvement.
• Adjust forecast to account for market intelligence.
• Works with Category and Planning leadership to understand trends, identify new products, new product and promotional strategies and evaluate impacts on demand.
• Generate appropriate aggregations of forecast data to facilitate cross-functional communication.
• Use input from the analytics team to determine appropriate forecast models and parameter settings.
• Work with Inventory and Category leadership to support a collaborative approach and structure.
• Partner with Finance, Logistics & the Transportation organization to identify supply chain and financial opportunities.
• Generate and analyze forecast performance reports.

Required Qualifications

• 3-5+ years of Retail industry experience in Inventory Planning
• 3-5+ years Supply Chain and Forecasting experience
• 3+ Advanced Excel (formulas, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• JDA Forecasting & Replenishment/Blue Yonder
• Masters Degree in Supply Chain or MBA; Supply Chain Certification
• Experience in an S&OP environment
• Microsoft office: excel/access
• Quantitative products: Mathematical and strong statistical knowledge
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Motivated self-starter
• Ability to calculate and analyze key forecasting metrics
• Business/financial acumen and Supply Chain knowledge
• Communication and influencing skills
• Good judgment and decision-making ability
• Time management and organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent

Anticipated Weekly Hours

40

Time Type

Full time

Pay Range

The typical pay range for this role is:

$66,330.00 - $145,860.00

This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls.  The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors.  This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. 
 

Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.

Great benefits for great people

We take pride in our comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits – investing in the physical, emotional and financial wellness of our colleagues and their families to help them be the healthiest they can be. In addition to our competitive wages, our great benefits include:

• Affordable medical plan options, a 401(k) plan (including matching company contributions), and an employee stock purchase plan.

• No-cost programs for all colleagues including wellness screenings, tobacco cessation and weight management programs, confidential counseling and financial coach