Director, Planning & Inventory Management

SUMMARY:

Parachute Home is seeking a Director of Planning and Inventory Management, to lead our merchandise planning and inventory management strategies, its execution and ensure the efficient allocation of inventory to our national store fleet and US and Canadian warehouses. This critical role involves developing and executing demand forecasting, supply planning and inventory allocation models. You will manage stock levels to meet sales and distribution demands while optimizing working capital. Reporting to the VP of Merchandising, Planning & Business Development, this position will work closely with the merchandising, marketing, supply chain, and store operations teams to set and achieve financial targets, optimize inventory flow and enhance product availability. As a leader, you will innovate, transform our tools and processes and implement initiatives that improve demand forecasting accuracy, enhance inventory efficiency, and support overall business objectives in maintaining product supply continuity.

Reports to: VP of Merchandising, Planning & Business Development

Location: LA Based (in office 2 days a week) 

What You’ll Do:

• The Director of Planning and Inventory Management will play a critical role in rebuilding the framework of our Demand Forecasting, Supply Planning and Allocation processes, systems and reporting to optimize inventory to hit financial targets.
• Build high level Demand Forecasting targets in conjunction with Ecomm and Retail channel leads. Sign off on all final merchandise planning targets and responsible for hitting financial goals.
• Develop and implement inventory management strategies that optimize stock levels across all store locations and our warehouse to support all selling channels (stores, online, and our wholesale partners), while balancing the optimization of working capital.
• Oversee the allocation of inventory to the national store fleet based on sales trends, seasonal demands, and forecast accuracy.
• Analyze sales trends, margin performance, and other key metrics to identify opportunities and risks and lead monthly open-to-buy process and seasonal investment review with recommendation on receipt needs.
• Collaborate with the merchandising and supply chain teams to align inventory planning with product launches, promotions, and discontinuations.
• Monitor and analyze inventory performance metrics weekly to identify issues, optimize stock turnover, and reduce excess inventory; adjust inventory flows monthly.
• Leverage data science to implement advanced inventory forecasting models that incorporate historical data and market analysis to predict future inventory needs accurately.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the development of technology solutions that enhance inventory visibility and control across the organization.
• Establish and maintain inventory control policies and procedures to ensure compliance with company objectives.
• Train and mentor inventory planning and allocation team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Coordinate with the finance department to manage inventory budgets and financial planning, ensuring cost-effectiveness and profitability in inventory operations.

Who You Are:

• Enthusiastic leader, with deep expertise in ecommerce and retail and love of consumer brands
• 10-15 years of experience in demand forecasting/merchandise planning and inventory management experience required, and minimum of 5 years as a leader.
• Results and data-driven, proactive, with a hands-on approach in building trusting relationships with your cross functional partners.
• Comfortable with ambiguity, highly-skilled at project prioritization, and a builder at heart
• Embraces a “player/coach” approach to leadership, able to dive into the details when necessary while also able to see around corners and drive long-term strategic step change
• Highly quantitative, analytical, and a technical self-starter with the ability to process and understand large data sets
• Have prior experience working at a high-growth startup and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Demonstrated strategic business planning and people management skills
• Ability to work with all levels within an organization

What You’ll Get:

• Free bedding for a great night’s sleep, an awesome discount and $300 worth of free product a year!
• Health, dental and vision benefits with 100% employee coverage offering
• Flexible vacation packages
• 401k 
• Competitive salary and stock options

Parachute takes a market-based approach to pay, and pay may vary depending on your location