Inventory Planner

Role overview

The Inventory Planner / Buyer plays a key role in balancing stock availability with inventory efficiency. This position focuses on keeping customers satisfied by ensuring product availability, while also limiting excess volume in slower-moving or lower-margin categories. The role supports purchasing, vendor coordination, and inventory performance in ways that directly contribute to growth and profitability.

In addition to core inventory duties, this person will support internal stakeholders through day-to-day tasks and special projects, while also contributing toward individual and department goals. Personal development and progress within the organization are expected to be an important part of success in this role.

Key responsibilities

• Track buying needs and maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Review inventory demand and urgency to decide how best to satisfy requirements.
• Help define replenishment settings and influence order quantities for stock items.
• Build advance purchase plans and delivery schedules using demand trends and projected growth.
• Keep purchasing leadership informed about changes in sales activity and vendor matters.
• Prepare and issue purchase orders to suppliers.
• Address and resolve problems related to shipping, pricing, and item quantities.
• Prepare and distribute POS and consignment reports.
• Act as a bridge between internal teams and external customers to solve issues.
• Review customer forecast data, clarify it when needed, and take action accordingly.

Qualifications and skills

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a closely related area, along with 3 years of experience in a Buyer, Planning, or similar role. Candidates should have hands-on experience with ERP systems that include forecasting or demand planning features. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, is also needed.

The ideal candidate will show a track record of improving performance with an assigned supplier base, along with excellent communication, problem-solving, and continuous-improvement skills.

Benefits

• Health, vision, and dental coverage with company contributions.
• Company contributions toward an HSA.
• Optional add-on coverage such as accident insurance and short-term disability.
• Free employee assistance program with 24/7 access.
• Generous paid time off that grows with tenure, plus company-paid holidays.
• Volunteer paid time off so employees can support the community while still being paid.
• Retirement options with no vesting requirement.

Additional information

Applications are accepted only through the online process for this position. The company notes that this job summary is not a complete list of every task, duty, or responsibility and that responsibilities may be changed at any time, with or without prior notice.

Equal opportunity statement

The organization states that it provides equal employment opportunities to people of all races, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, marital statuses, and veteran statuses as part of its growth plans.