Manager, Allocation-Hybrid

MANAGER ALLOCATION     

General Summary:

The Store Planning & Allocation Manager develops and mentors the Allocation team to achieve the company’s objective on inventory productivity, assortment, and capacity management. The SP&A Manager also owns the Store Planning process for their book of business, to ensure the most current and accurate store plans to support deployment of merchandise. Allocation strategy and system expertise is necessary. Position will require some travel.

Reports to: Director, Store Planning & Allocation 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
•    Collaborate with the Merchandising team to achieve the store assortment, inventory productivity and profit parameters defined by the buying strategy
•    Develop allocation strategy, process and clear expectations for the management of store inventory. Team should understand performance expectations
•    Mentor and develop Allocation team so that Merchandisers are prepared to support Merchandising initiatives, ready for change, and positioned to turn analysis and insight into appropriate action plans
•    Oversees the Store Planning process to ensure that store plans effectively support the allocation of merchandise
•    Work in partnership with Regional Director and field associates to support store needs and specific market opportunities
•    Provide thought leadership for size replenishment, auto allocation and Blue Yonder variables to optimize the placement of store-level inventory
•    Direct the business process and development of tops-down replenished models; provide guidance for time appropriate model/variable adjustments to size replenishment items
•    Develop reporting to analyze store performance with specific focus on top volume stores and specific store clusters (vendor, attributes, price points, etc.)

•    Oversee Allocation task force projects; manage projects from conception to completion
•    Support strategic company initiatives and ad-hoc requests from leadership team

Required Skills:
•    Keen understanding of allocation strategy and working knowledge of allocation/replenishment systems
•    Strong leadership skills and ability to support and motivate direct reports.
•    Exceptional strategic thinking and analytical/quantitative skills
•    Excellent listening, communication, and presentation skills; ability to interact with team members and cross functional partners at all levels
•    Ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively, strong time management skills, ownership and initiative
•    Advanced knowledge of Excel (V-lookups, complex formulas, pivot tables, macros, etc.) and proficient in reporting tools (PA Web, Business Objects) is helpful

Competencies
Strategic Thinking – Creates and effectively communicates long term vision. Keeps team’s work aligned to strategy. Creates and adjusts plans. Understands big picture to constructively challenge the status quo. Generates new ideas. Encourages innovation. Manages change effectively. Knows internal strengths and weaknesses.

Leading & Motivating – Models and supports DSW values. Assesses, identifies, retains and develops talent. Builds complementary teams. Motivates, supports and challenges associates. Resolves conflict. Makes tough decisions. Provides timely feedback. Works with and through others to exceed expectations of customers (internal/external)

Managing for Results – Produces sustainable results consistently. Holds team accountable. Recognizes and resolves complex problems. Understands underlying issues and addresses root causes. Measures, analyzes quantitative information and presents it effectively. Seeks input from others. Makes timely decisions.

Qualifications

Experience:
•    A minimum of 5 years experience in home office retail planning and allocation is required
•    Experience managing a team of direct reports in a corporate environment is preferred

Education:
•    BA or BS in a related field, Store Planning or Merchandise Planning experience preferred