Allocation Analyst

Essential Function

Responsible for cross divisional allocation "push" strategies and process. Product/seasonal merchandise for "push" includes: promo goods, holiday product, POG changes, New Items, New/remodel stores - as well as reserve management (ecom). Additional responsibilities include Localization: Store clustering, ethnic / demographic allocation distortions. Forecasting at the sku level through PO creation and follow up. The Allocation analyst reviews and adjusts system forecasts based on daily review of product movement including seasonality, industry and market trends, and probability of anticipated sales.

Partner with multiple Buyers to manage category distortions and allocate inventory dollars effectively to drive the business with a promo ST% target of 80%+ during promo period. Drive consistency in sku analysis and allocation function that align with AOR goals. Manage the preplanning process and asset allocation to identify and drive grow / maintain / decline seasonal/push businesses. This position is a hybrid role reporting into the office in Denton TX on Tuesdays and Wednesdays of each week.

Primary Duties

• Forecasting: Develop push allocation execution strategy, aligning ST% expectations with financial goals. Create and manage allocation forecasts through PO creation using JDA systems and tools. Recognize and reconcile forecast exceptions. Track actuals against forecast. Manage new and conversion store forecasts. Follow up on POs from Vendor through DC and to store to ensure proper flow.

• Partnerships: Work with Buyers/SBUs on strategies to drive the allocation/push business. Work strategically with suppliers, supply chain, ecom and store partners to translate vendor commitments, supply chain capacity, stores stock levels, and marketing into plans that achieve the sales, GM and unit turnover expectation. Work with SBUs/ecom team to set up and maintain ecom reserves where applicable.

• Use JDA info to enhance Allocations - Analytics/Reports to enhance JDA allocation effectiveness: Generate and analyze forecast performance reports. Identify store similarities and cluster stores based on analysis. Determine causal factors impacting forecasts and act: weather, moving seasons, etc. Manage new, increased footprint, decreased footprint, and end of life / profitability forecasts.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• College degree (BA or BS) or equivalent work experience

• 1-3 years' experience with planning at a retail or wholesale company - merchandise planning and allocation, demand planning, production planning.

• 1-2 years planning and executing projects involving multiple groups across an organization

• Experience with retail buying or logistics preferred

• Solid understanding of seasonal/fashion inventory management practices and procedures

• Strong mathematical and statistical knowledge.

• JDA experience would be a plus.

• Capability to multitask in a fast paced environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills that helps influence and shape future business decisions.

• Highly analytical with a sense of business curiosity.

Competencies / Attributes

• Excellent analytical skills and ability to plan, forecast, and exercise sound judgment.

• Strong communication skills

• Ability to work with multiple projects/teams simultaneously

• Spreadsheet, database, and word processing software (Microsoft Office)

Working Conditions /Physical Requirements

• The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, meeting and training rooms, retail stores, and residences or commercial vehicles, e.g., use of safe work practices with office equipment, avoidance of trips and falls, observance of fire regulations and traffic signals, etc. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

• The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items such as papers, files, books, small parts; using a keyboard, driving an automobile, etc. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

We offer a competitive salary and outstanding benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life Insurance, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement and 401(k) with company match. In addition, associates of SBH may take advantage of our in house salon with complementary services and a varied selection of food options at our corporate campus. Also, featured at our corporate campus, is both a Sally Beauty and CosmoProf Professional onsite store, where associates enjoy a great merchandise discount!