Planning Manager

Position Summary:

The Planning Manager is a leadership role responsible for the overall strategy, direction, and execution of the inventory planning function across all stocked product categories, including Wallcovering, Fabric, Furnishings, and carpet. This role is accountable for leading the team, developing world-class demand forecasts, optimizing inventory investment and ensuring product availability to support sales growth and maximize working capital efficiency. The Manager drives continuous improvement in planning processes and tools, manages key vendor relationships strategically, and serves as the primary liaison between Planning and senior leadership from Procurement, Category Management Team (CMT), Sales, and Operations. Expect high-level strategic thinking, decisive team leadership, and ultimate accountability for overall inventory health.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Inventory Planners and Senior Planners.

• Set team strategy, goals, and priorities, and monitor progress toward overall inventory objectives.

• Oversee performance management, coaching, and training of team members, fostering a culture of high performance and accuracy.

• Responsible for distributing information to the team from upper management.

Inventory Strategy & Demand Planning

• Responsible for setting and maintaining the overall inventory investment strategy across all assigned product categories.

• Direct the development of robust, rolling demand forecasts using advanced historical sales data (30/60/90-day trends), seasonal patterns, and project pipeline inputs.

• Establish, audit, and maintain core inventory parameters (reorder points, safety stock) across the team to minimize risk and optimize working capital.

• Proactively monitor and manage inventory health metrics, including aged inventory exposure, stockout risks, and overstock situations.

Supply Chain & Vendor Management

• Oversee the strategic partnership with key wallcovering, fabric, and furnishing vendors to secure supply and negotiate optimal production schedules and order quantities.

• Lead the coordination with Purchasing teams to determine buy quantities, replenishment timing, and mitigate high-risk supply disruptions.

• Directly manage the review of supplier performance for delivery and service level, implementing necessary improvement plans.

• Manage inventory exposure across key mills and suppliers.

Reporting, Analysis & Process Improvement

• Design, develop, and maintain advanced inventory performance dashboards and weekly health reports for senior leadership.

• Oversee the monitoring of forecast accuracy and bias across the team, implementing corrective actions to forecasting models and planning tools.

• Identify, champion, and implement strategic improvements to planning tools, processes, and reporting capabilities across the organization.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the primary inventory planning partner to the Category Management Team (CMT) to align buying strategies and uphold product & vendor goals.

• Partner with sales teams to incorporate customer demand insights and upcoming project requirements.

• Collaborate with warehouse and operations teams to manage stock allocation and replenishment, including coordinating transport of goods.

• And other duties as assigned.

Abilities/Key Competencies/Skills:

• Proven experience leading and mentoring a team in a complex planning or supply chain environment.

• Expert-level demand forecasting and inventory planning experience with experience analyzing large SKU assortments.

• Advanced proficiency in ERP/inventory systems (e.g., Oracle) and data analysis tools (Advanced Excel/Google Sheets data analysis skills with Pivot tables, Forecast modeling, Data visualization) required.

• Exceptional strategic thinking, critical problem-solving skills, and the ability to contribute innovative ideas.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex data and strategy clearly to executive leadership and focus on a high customer service level.

• Deep understanding of core inventory metrics (Weeks of Supply, Sell-through, Safety stock, Forecast accuracy).

• Detail-oriented & High level of accuracy.

• Curiosity and willingness to learn and grow within the organization.

• Knowledge and experience with using Asana as a project management tool (Preferred).

Fabric, Wallcovering and Furnishing Planning Knowledge (Preferred):

• Maintain a comprehensive working knowledge of wallcovering, fabric, and furnishing constructions, mill production processes, and supply chains in order to effectively manage inventory planning for assigned product categories as well as provide informed guidance to cross-functional partners.

• Expertise in fabric and wallcovering yardage planning and managing product colorways/SKUs.

• Deep awareness of vendor production lead times and knowledge of inventory challenges in stocked wallcovering, fabric, and furnishings.

• Possess expert knowledge of mill MOQ’s and price break structures, leveraging this insight to optimize order quantities and support high-level cost negotiations with vendors when appropriate.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

The Planning Manager is accountable for the overall performance of the Inventory Planning team, optimizing the company's inventory investment, and maximizing product availability.

• Overall Forecast Accuracy & Bias: Measures the aggregate effectiveness of the team's demand forecasting.

• Inventory Investment Efficiency: Tracks inventory dollars relative to revenue and working capital goals.

• Aged Inventory Reduction: Measures strategic management and minimization of slow-moving or obsolete inventory.

• In-Stock Rate & Stockout Rate: Measures overall product availability and service level performance across core categories.

• Weeks of Supply Optimization: Measures success in maintaining inventory within targeted strategic levels.

• Team Development & Process Leadership: Measures effectiveness in mentoring planners, strengthening planning capabilities, and maintaining consistent planning processes across the team.

Experience/Certifications/Education: 

• Minimum 7+ years’ progressive experience in Inventory Planning, Demand Planning, or Supply Chain, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role required.

• Home decor or textile industry knowledge is preferred.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field required; Master’s Degree or Supply Chain Certification (e.g., APICS) preferred (Elevated from Bachelor’s Degree preferred).

• This is a fully remote role, though candidates residing on Long Island are preferred for occasional in-person team meetings or collaboration.

• Salary Range: $85,000 - $95,000