Sr. Inventory Analyst

At Caribou Coffee we create day-making experiences that spark a chain reaction of GOOD!  This is our purpose.  Our team brings this to life by focusing on what’s really important around here – TEAM, GUEST, BUSINESS!  It’s that simple.  If you’re ready to work somewhere you can be yourself while making an impact on your community, creating life-long relationships, and serving the best coffee around, join our herd!  Apply today and be part of the ‘Bou Crew!

Position Overview: 

The Senior Inventory Analyst is a lead contributor responsible for end‑to‑end inventory health across a multi‑temperature inbound warehouse network (dry, refrigerated, frozen) supporting a food‑service/coffeehouse operation. This role goes beyond execution and is expected to anticipate inventory needs, design and refine planning approaches, and drive continuous improvement across inventory planning, replenishment, and load building. 

As a senior individual contributor, this role partners deeply with Sourcing, Demand Planning, Transportation, Operations, Quality, and Finance to ensure the right product, in the right quantity, at the right time, while balancing freshness, service, cost, and capacity. The Senior Inventory Analyst is expected to operate with a high degree of ownership, influence cross‑functional outcomes, and lead through data‑driven insight and action. 

 Core Responsibilities: 

Inventory Planning 

Lead inventory planning strategy, not just execution. 

• Own inventory strategy and parameter design for assigned categories across dry, refrigerated, and frozen networks, including: 

• Safety stock, min/max, reorder points, and cycle stock 

• Shelf‑life constraints, freshness targets, and elapsed lead‑time thresholds 

• Lead development and refinement of inventory models that balance: 

• Service levels and in‑stock performance 

• Freshness, waste mitigation, and inventory turns 

• Warehouse capacity and working capital targets 

• Proactively anticipate future inventory needs and risks by: 

• Analyzing demand variability, forecast error, and lead‑time instability 

• Conducting scenario planning for seasonality, promotions, LTOs, and transitions 

• Perform deep root‑cause analysis on inventory health issues (stockouts, excess, short‑dated inventory) and drive corrective action, including parameter changes and process improvements. 

• Review and optimize inventory positions weekly, identifying recovery actions before service or freshness is impacted. 

• Provide clear, actionable inventory insights to leadership, translating complex data into recommended tradeoffs and decisions.