Inventory Analyst

Borders Group is a dynamic, Fortune 500 company made up of an international group of retail brands with one common goal: to sell books, music, video, and other information and entertainment products profitably by making the experience of shopping easy, enticing, enjoyable, and enriching. Borders Group operates over 1200 Borders and Waldenbooks stores around the world. Our headquarters, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is the hub of it all-from marketing to finance to information technology-the corporate office works together to support the success of our stores.
Responsibilities
Partner with the Category Team and Inventory Team to execute effective reorders and arrival of replenishment titles from the distribution center to the stores and ensure effective management of the allocation strategies for assigned categories.Analyze historical trends of replenishment and allocation titles to provide recommendations needed to adjust stock levels for store inventory, including, promotional titles, new stores and remodeled stores.

Set up assigned items in the inventory management system.

Monitor, analyze, and work with Buyers and other inventory team members to resolve exceptions.Update the system as needed.

Communicate with vendors to understand lead time and the fill rate trends.

Support the achievement of in stock goals for assigned categories.Monitor the store question box and ensure replenishment questions are addressed in a timely fashion.

Communicate selling patterns and trends seen at the store/SKU level and provide input for the category, merchandise and assortment planning processes to the Buyer.Develop continuous improvement of inventory management systems expertise through training, certification and collaboration with Inventory Team on incorporating best practices.

Effectively communicate with all key internal and external partners to implement short and long term inventory management objectives.

Analyze inventory to sales ratio, at the department, class and sub-class level, for all inventory. Identify areas that need focus and make recommendations to the Buyer
REQUIREMENTS
Excellent analytical, fact-based decision making and problem solving skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to work collaboratively with team members

Flexible and the ability to adapt to change

Demonstrated initiative and desire to drive toward continuous improvement

Ability to handle multiple tasks in a timely manner and handle conflicting priorities

Retail management and/or Borders/Waldenbooks field management experience preferred

Bachelor’s degree or related/relevant professional experience