Sr Inventory Planner

Sr. Inventory Planner (P3)

Manyata - Bengaluru, India

Position Summary

The Sr. Inventory Planner is responsible for planning and coordinating the global inventory settings and levels in line with agreed and defined strategies. Interacts with operational leaders and relevant stakeholders to assure supply continuity while effectively balancing inventory costs globally. Executes to pre-defined planning strategies for specific product categories and ensures alignment on the planning strategy. Serves as subject matter expert on inventory optimization system and other inventory planning and reporting tools.

The Sr. Inventory Planner will interact closely with the global inventory planning team under the global sales & operations planning (S&OP) organization, warehousing/distribution, and regional buyers/planners responsible for managing the inventory in their respective product categories and sites.

Key responsibilities:

• Executes inventory planning activities in alignment with inventory strategies to meet agreed service level and operational needs.
• Coordinates with regional teams to ensure alignment on inventory targets, including key drivers of inventory composition (safety stock, min/max targets, business continuity stock, overstock and scrap), and seeks common understanding of regional needs.
• Analyzes data to identify opportunities for inventory optimization, including minimizing excess inventory, slow-moving items, and obsolete stock.
• Performs monthly and quarterly controls to support cycle counts and excess and obsolescence (E&O) processes to ensure SOX compliance.
• Generates regular reports on inventory performance metrics such as inventory turnover rate, stock-out rate, and carrying costs.
• Utilizes SAP IBP Inventory Optimization solution to manage segmentation, min/max, lot size and safety stock settings and generate reports.
• Creates, runs and monitors process templates, application jobs and other background processes in SAP IBP as needed.
• Partners with the global inventory planning team and GIS to provide input to system design, enhancements and upgrades, in additional to troubleshooting technical issues.
• Participates in various improvement projects as needed.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in business, operations, supply chain management, or a related field and 5 years of experience in supply planning, forecasting and/or inventory management across multiple product lines
• Direct experience with supply and demand processes including forecasts, receipt and delivery processes, inventory reports, accuracy validation procedures, cycle counts and audit procedures is preferred
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data analysis tools and Excel
• Experience with ERP and MRP systems, preferably SAP
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with different departments across a global, matrixed organization
• APICS CPIM, CSCP or other professional certifications preferred
• Should be willing to work in the shifts.