Inventory Manager at Lolli & Pops
United States
$65k - $90k
<meta><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Position Overview</strong></b></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">The Inventory Manager is responsible for planning, replenishing, and optimizing inventory across all Lolli & Pops retail locations. This role ensures stores have the right products at the right time while balancing inventory investment, maximizing in-stock positions, and supporting sales and profitability.</span></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Working cross-functionally with Merchandising, Store Operations, Distribution, Finance, Purchasing, and Marketing, the Inventory Manager develops inventory strategies that support seasonal launches, promotional initiatives, and long-term business growth while maintaining inventory accuracy and operational efficiency.</span></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Key Responsibilities</strong></b></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Inventory Planning & Control</strong></b></p><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin:8px 0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:disc;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Manage inventory levels across all Lolli & Pops retail stores and distribution centers.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Establish inventory targets, safety stock levels, and replenishment parameters by SKU and location.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Allocate inventory for new store openings, seasonal launches, promotions, and marketing initiatives.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Monitor inventory health and proactively resolve overstocks, stockouts, and slow-moving inventory.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Balance inventory investment while maintaining targeted service levels and product availability.</span></li></ul><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Forecasting & Replenishment</strong></b></p><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin:8px 0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:disc;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Partner with Merchandising to develop item-level and store-level demand forecasts.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Execute replenishment strategies based on sales trends, seasonality, promotions, and inventory performance.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Manage automated replenishment and purchase recommendations.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Analyze sales trends and forecast accuracy to continuously improve inventory performance.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Adjust inventory plans in response to business trends, promotional activity, and new product launches.</span></li></ul><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Inventory Analytics & Reporting</strong></b></p><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin:8px 0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:disc;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Maintain accurate inventory data within ERP and POS systems (e.g., CounterPoint, Sage, or similar).</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Develop dashboards and KPI reporting to monitor inventory performance.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Analyze key inventory metrics, including:</span></li><li style="list-style:none;font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="2" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin-left:0px;margin-right:0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:circle;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Inventory Turns</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Weeks of Supply</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Fill Rate</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">In-Stock Percentage</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Sell-Through</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Inventory Aging</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Gross Margin Return on Inventory Investment (GMROII)</span></li></ul></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="font-size:11pt;white-space:pre-wrap;">Present inventory insights and recommendations that improve productivity, profitability, and inventory efficiency.</span></li></ul><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Store Operational Execution</strong></b></p><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin:8px 0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:disc;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Oversee inventory transfers between stores and distribution centers.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Manage store replenishment processes.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Lead cycle count programs and annual physical inventories.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Investigate inventory discrepancies and implement corrective actions.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Partner with Store Operations to improve inventory accuracy and execution across all locations.</span></li></ul><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Vendor & Supply Coordination</strong></b></p><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin:8px 0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:disc;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Collaborate with Purchasing and vendors to align order timing and quantities with inventory forecasts.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Track inbound shipments and proactively communicate inventory risks or delays.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Support the onboarding of new vendors from an inventory planning and logistics perspective,</span></li></ul><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Cross-Functional Collaboration</strong></b></p><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin:8px 0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:disc;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Partner with Merchandising on assortment planning, product lifecycle management, and seasonal strategies.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Collaborate with Purchasing to align purchase orders with inventory forecasts and replenishment needs.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Work with Marketing to support promotional events, product launches, and seasonal campaigns.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Partner with Finance on inventory valuation, reserve planning, and inventory reporting.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Support Store Operations with inventory-related initiatives, issue resolution, and process improvements.</span></li></ul><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Qualifications</strong></b></p><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin:8px 0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:disc;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Finance, or a related field preferred.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">5+ years of experience in inventory planning, allocation, replenishment, merchandise planning, or inventory management.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Retail inventory management experience required.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Multi-store retail experience strongly preferred.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Experience with ERP and POS systems such as CounterPoint, Sage, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Experience with reporting and business intelligence tools such as Power BI or Tableau preferred.</span></li></ul><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Key Competencies</strong></b></p><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin:8px 0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:disc;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Inventory Planning & Replenishment</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Forecasting & Demand Planning</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Allocation Strategy</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Data Analysis & Financial Acumen</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Retail Operations Knowledge</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Cross-Functional Collaboration</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Strong Organizational & Project Management Skills</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Excellent Communication & Presentation Skills</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="font-size:11pt;white-space:pre-wrap;">Detail-Oriented with a Proactive, Solutions-Focused Mindset</span></li></ul><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Success Metrics</strong></b></p><ul data-pattern="discCircleSquare" data-depth="1" style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;margin:8px 0px;line-height:1.6;padding:0px 0px 0px 32px;list-style-type:disc;"><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Improve inventory turns while maintaining target service levels.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Reduce out-of-stock rates across all retail locations.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Increase forecast accuracy.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Improve inventory accuracy across stores and distribution centers.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Reduce aged and excess inventory.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Improve sell-through on seasonal and promotional products.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Increase Gross Margin Return on Inventory Investment (GMROII).</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Maintain target weeks of supply.</span></li><li style="font-size:11pt;margin:3px 0px;letter-spacing:0.25px;line-height:1.6;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Achieve shrink and inventory accuracy goals.</span></li></ul><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><br></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Why This Role Matters</strong></b></p><p style="font-family:"Basel Grotesk",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;font-weight:400;line-height:1.6;letter-spacing:0.25px;margin:4px 0px;padding:0px;"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap;">The Inventory Manager plays a critical role in delivering an exceptional customer experience by ensuring every Lolli & Pops store has the right products at the right time. Through effective inventory planning, forecasting, and replenishment, this role helps maximize sales, optimize inventory investment, and support the continued growth and success of the business.</span></p>
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