Senior Inventory Analyst

Job Title: Senior Inventory Analyst

Experience Level: 36 Years

Department: Client Experience

Location: Chennai, India

Shift: 2nd Shift 2:30PM IST to 11:30PM IST

Role Overview

The Senior Inventory Analyst will play a critical role in managing and optimizing inventory for high-volume print and mail operations within an offshore delivery model. This role goes beyond transactional inventory management, focusing on advanced analytics, demand planning, process optimization, and stakeholder management. The individual will ensure seamless material availability (paper, envelopes, inserts, ink/toner, and mailing supplies) to support strict production SLAs while minimizing costs, waste, and operational risks.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Management:

o Oversee and manage inventory for Client ordered items and Customer Supplied stock items used across production sites.

o Ensure inventory levels consistently meet operational requirements and ensure there is adequate material on hand for fulfilling client Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

o Run inventory reports daily, weekly, or as business demands dictate, monitor inventory levels and alert prompt communication with CX and Procurement on next steps.

o Generate inventory reports and email to clients, as required.

o Facilitate Material Disposition & Stock Order based on requests.

Order Management:

o Facilitate reorders and new orders of custom materials.

o Work with Procurement and CX to request quote request and sample of order.

o Complete billing information for billing charges for custom inventory orders.

Forecasting and Analytical Planning:

o Utilize usage analysis tools and various internal systems to forecast client custom material requirements.

o Determine reorder points and adjust custom orders based on client projections and historical data.

o Apply advanced Excel skills to analyze and manipulate data for inventory planning.

Production & Capacity Alignment

Collaborate with print and mail production teams to align inventory with production schedules and capacity plans

Ensure material readiness for high-volume print runs and mailing cycles

Proactively identify risks that could impact SLA adherence and mitigate them

Inventory Audits & Governance

Lead cycle counts and physical inventory audits across locations

Establish and enforce inventory control policies and SOPs

Conduct root cause analysis for discrepancies and implement corrective actions

Ensure compliance with audit standards, data security, and regulatory requirements (especially for sensitive mail handling)

Demand Planning & Forecasting

Own or support demand forecasting models based on historical print/mail volumes and client requirements

Collaborate with procurement and planning teams to ensure timely replenishment

Define and maintain safety stock levels and reorder parameters for critical materials

Stakeholder & Vendor Management

Act as a key point of contact for onshore stakeholders, ensuring alignment on inventory planning and reporting

Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for timely delivery and issue resolution

Manage escalations related to inventory shortages, delays, or quality issues

Process Improvement & Automation

Identify inefficiencies and lead continuous improvement initiatives in inventory processes

Drive automation of reporting and inventory tracking using tools like Excel, Power BI, or scripting

Support system enhancements and ERP/WMS optimization

Team Support & Mentorship

Guide and mentor junior analysts on inventory processes, reporting, and analysis

Review team outputs to ensure accuracy and consistency

Support knowledge sharing and capability building within the offshore team

Required Qualifications

Bachelors degree in supply chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Commerce, or related field

36 years of experience in inventory management, preferably in print and mail operations

Strong expertise in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, Pivot Tables, data modeling)

Hands-on experience with ERP/WMS systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar)

Solid understanding of inventory planning, forecasting, and optimization techniques

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in print and mail industry or high-volume, SLA-driven production environments

Proficiency in data visualization tools (Power BI)

Basic knowledge of SQL, Python, or automation tools

Exposure to offshore/onshore operating models

Certification in Supply Chain (e.g., APICS CPIM) is an advantage

Key Skills & Competencies

Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills

Strong attention to detail and data accuracy

Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills

Ability to work in shifts and collaborate across global teams

Leadership and mentoring capability

Process improvement and automation mindset