Inventory Planner - Williams Sonoma

Other Jobs To Apply

No other job posts for this day.

Description

About the Inventory Management Team

The Inventory Planning organization is responsible for the strategic planning of inventory positions to drive sales, manage inventory turn and meet or exceed financial targets for your area of responsibility. Inventory associates are innovators, optimizers and problem solvers who are constantly seeking opportunities to move the business forward. You will collaborate with other business functions to support a product strategy intended to meet our customer's needs.

Overview of the Inventory Planner role

You are responsible for delivering a best-in-class customer experience through the strategic management of inventory for a specific product category. You will partner with the Merchandising, Sourcing, E-commerce teams and counterparts in Retail Inventory and Distribution to maximize sales and in-stocks, optimize inventory turn, and drive profitable growth.

Responsibilities

  • Partner with Merchants to create pre-season, item-level sales plans that align with product rankings, merchandising strategies and tops-down financial goals.

  • Design inventory strategies that balance the composition of new and core, carry-over merchandise, support in-stock and turn objectives, and fit within the bounds of departmental receipt budget.

  • Determine item level order quantities and flow strategies and partner with Supply Chain Coordinator/Assistant Planner to ensure timely and accurate execution of purchase orders.

  • Review catalog proofs to ensure accuracy of SKU information and appropriate representation of key-items. Recommend actions for items on or at risk of backorder.

  • Own monthly forecasting of department level open-to-buy and recommend near term actions to achieve sales goals and budgeted inventory EOMs.

  • Determine markdown and end-of-life disposition strategies for non-go forward products.

  • Operate a computer and communicate via telephone

  • Transport materials and equipment and lift, move, and carry objects up to 50 pounds on a limited basis

Criteria

  • Previous experience in retail merchandising or degree in merchandising preferred

  • Minimum two years of experience in Inventory Management, preferably in e-commerce

  • Proven ability to objectively interpret data and extract actionable insights that drive the business

  • Proficiency in retail math and experience managing a traditional open-to-buy

  • Excellent collaboration and communication skills; comfortable addressing all levels within an organization

  • Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines

  • Proficiency in MS Excel

  • Ability to work onsite in the San Francisco office Monday - Thursday and work remotely on Fridays.

We believe in People First

We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. Our DEI initiatives prompt associate participation and engagement, aligning with our core vision to reflect the communities where we do business and put people first.

Benefits Just for You

Depending on your position and your location, here are a few highlights of what you might be eligible for:

  • A generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands

  • A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities

  • Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer

  • Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits

  • Tax-free commuter benefits

  • A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

Your Journey in Continued Learning

  • In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University

  • Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities

  • Resources for self-development

  • Advisor (Mentor) program

  • Career development workshops and learning programs

  • Speaker series

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay rate for this position is $85,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.



Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...