The UPG Inventory Planning Analyst is responsible for ensuring product availability, optimizing inventory levels, and supporting sales growth through effective purchasing, replenishment, and supplier management. This role partners closely with Sales, Operations, Distribution, and Suppliers to maintain targeted inventory levels, minimize freight and inventory carrying costs, manage product transitions, and drive continuous improvement across the supply chain.Responsibilities:Manage purchasing and replenishment activities by generating and issuing purchase orders to maintain product availability while minimizing freight costs.Monitor and maintain inventory stock parameters, Weeks of Supply (WOS), and stocking profiles to ensure alignment with market demand and sales objectives.Coordinate product phase-ins and phase-outs with Sales, Operations, and Suppliers to minimize excess inventory and ensure a seamless customer transition.Support hub-and-spoke distribution strategies by managing transfers, auto-generated replenishment orders, and resolving inventory exceptions.Lead regular supplier performance reviews, addressing aged purchase orders, delivery issues, cost concerns, distressed inventory (SMOD), and inventory rebalancing opportunities.Partner with Sales and Suppliers to improve product competitiveness, identify alternate sourcing options, and disposition excess or obsolete inventory.Conduct regular meetings with market sales leaders, store managers, and branch locations to review inventory strategies, product availability, sales performance, and growth initiatives.Ensure seasonal and high-demand products are stocked appropriately to support customer needs and revenue growth.Identify opportunities to consolidate products and suppliers to optimize spend, improve vendor leverage, and increase operational efficiency.Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on inventory turns, SMOD reduction, stock availability, and overall supply chain performance.Performance Expectations:Maintain stocked SKU availability with stockouts below 3%.Keep purchase order aging below 5% of dollars on order more than 15 days past due.Respond to group mailbox inquiries within 24 hours.Maintain inventory levels within established Weeks of Supply targets.Reduce inbound freight costs through compliance with prepaid freight programs.Drive inventory turn improvements and reduce slow-moving and obsolete inventory (SMOD).Conduct regular reviews with suppliers, sales leadership, and branch operations to support inventory optimization and sales growth initiatives.
