Inventory Planning Manager

Impact in this Role
The Inventory Planning Manager owns the strategy and decision-making of MISUMI Americas' inventory function, working in close collaboration with supporting teams (Procurement, Data Management, and IT) who handle operational execution. The role determines what gets stocked, at what depth, and when to act — setting replenishment strategy, governing make-to-order (MTO) transitions, and leading dead stock reduction programs — while ensuring every inventory decision is traceable to the Broad & Shallow stocking framework and the Distribution Curation & Value Selling Strategy. As the primary cross-functional coordinator and escalation point, the Planning Manager translates inventory strategy into clear direction for supporting teams and surfaces the insights that free the broader organization to focus on value selling and profitability growth.

Areas of Responsibility

• Inventory Operations: Own inventory strategy and decision-making across assigned SKU categories — define replenishment parameters, govern reorder points, monitor excess positions, and determine MTO ↔ Stock mode transitions.
• New Stock Selection: Run the new SKU selection tool, apply Pre-Entry Scoring Gate guidelines, and own the internal stocking request workflow (Product Information Sheets, approval requests, and receipt tracking)
• Stock Turnover & Replenishment Governance: Analyze stock turnover, own the replenishment order list, enforce the no-replenishment-without-demand rule, and lead the Monthly Inventory Health Review.
• Dead Stock Disposition: Lead dead stock and excess reduction programs across promotion, fire sale/bundling, and physical disposal tracks, coordinating internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Strategy Alignment & Reporting: Ensure inventory actions align with the Distribution Curation & Value Selling Strategy; contribute inventory-health data and recommendations to the Product Curation Council.
• Sourcing & Supplier Engagement: Lead supplier-facing inventory coordination — MOQ renegotiation, return/rotation agreements, and consignment terms compatible with the Broad & Shallow model.
• All employees are expected to maintain and contribute to the QMS.

Desired Traits: Distinguished skills, abilities, features, character, and quality.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent; advanced degree a plus.
• 5–8 years of experience in inventory management, supply chain operations, or category management.
• Demonstrated ownership of inventory strategy and P&L outcomes: dead stock reduction, working capital improvement, or fill rate performance.
• Strong command of inventory planning principles: safety stock, reorder points, MTO/MTS switching, demand forecasting, and SKU lifecycle management.
• Skilled at coordinating cross-functional execution (Logistics, Procurement, Finance, Data Management, IT) through influence rather than direct authority.
• Proficient in data analysis tools (Excel, Google Sheets); experience with ERP or inventory planning systems (SAP or equivalent) and analytical tools such as Python and Sigma a plus.
• Clear communicator who can translate strategy into actionable direction and present findings to leadership; comfortable working independently in an ambiguous, fast-changing environment.
• Experience in industrial distribution, mechanical components, or B2B manufacturing strongly preferred.

Physical Demands

• Primarily a remote, office-based role. Must be able to travel and, on necessary occasions, lift and handle products or stock items (e.g., for inventory review, sample handling, or disposal coordination at the distribution center). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Travel: Ability to travel as needed (approximately 10–15% annually), primarily domestic, for supplier meetings, distribution center visits, trade shows, and internal cross-functional collaboration.

The compensation range for this role is $125,000 - $150,000USD based on experience.