Inventory Specialist

In your role as the Inventory Specialist at The North West Company (NWC), you will be accountable to effectively assess customer demand for seasonal and innovative goods through the use of trend analysis and forecasting measures. This role is responsible for the allocation and maintenance of inventory levels of said goods across banners to maximize selling opportunity. This includes the creation of store specific distribution plans and execution of inventory allocations. You will be responsible of the post-mortem evaluation of seasonal selling activities as to provide meaningful feedback to the Category Management and Operations teams, and guide effective assortment and execution decisions.

Joining NWC gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture.

NWC is a leading retailer to under-served rural communities and urban neighbourhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Your Role

• Analyze data to assess customer needs and trends to develop supply and demand forecasts by store.
• Seek input from Category Management and Operations with respect to promotional planning and market insights as to accurately assess forecasting impact.
• Create store specific distribution plans based on the sales trends and seasonal needs of each store.
• Prepare reports and insight summary for Category Teams on all seasonal inventory flows and selling events.
• Utilize post-mortem data for subsequent seasonal reviews to better assess market viability.
• Monitor store-level sell through of seasonal items with back stock requirements, and evaluate where supplemental inventory needs to be allocated.
• Initiate additional inventory requisitions in order to maintain the flow of merchandise, meet logistic requirements, and maximize sales potential.
• Present suggested forecasts with guided discussion on how results were developed.
• Incorporate feedback from both Category Management and Operations to ensure all business factors are taken into account.
• Based on monitored sell-through, work in conjunction with Category Management to implement predefined exit strategy.
• Initiate request to implement markdowns with progressive date schedule, and coordinate store communication.
• Process allocations of inventory to stores.

Desired Skills & Experience

• University degree in Supply Chain, Commerce, or Finance.
• Experience in inventory planning, forecasting, and replenishment.
• Solid grasp of inventory management and supply chain processes and systems.
• Proven experience in an analytic capacity with a focus on identifying insights and presenting recommendation.
• Ability to quickly learn new concepts, systems and industry best practices and apply these learnings to the continued development of the team/support of the business.
• Expert proficiency in Microsoft Office with specific emphasis on Excel.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and decision making skills with a high attention to detail.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, planning and prioritizing skills.
• Extended work hours required from time to time.
• Travel to stores will be required on an as-needed basis.

Location: Gibraltar House, 77 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB

Reports to: Sr. Category Manager

We create a collaborative and constructive culture by:

• Being Enterprising
• Committing to our Customer
• Working with Passion
• Leading and Developing Others
• Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity
• Building Trust

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limited to: all religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization. We thank all applicants for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This is an active job opening for a position that is currently available and we are actively seeking to fill.

This position adheres to the Corporate Application Process Guidelines.