Retail Merchandising and Inventory Analyst

Reporting to the Director, Retail Inventory and Merchandising, the Retail Merchandising and Inventory Analyst will support with day-to-day merchandising administrative responsibilities, including item setups and discontinuations, reporting, promotion management and store issue resolution. The incumbent will be responsible for the inventory management for the retail organization including, but not limited to, seasonal allocation, excess and short-dated inventory.

**Responsibilities**:

- Support the Retail Merchandising Manager in executing the strategic goals to meet and exceed sales, margin, and inventory targets
- Manage day-to-day merchandising administrative responsibilities, including leading the team through item setups and discontinuations, product launches, and store issue resolution
- Create and maintain promotions in the POS system for approval by the Merchandising Manager
- Conduct historical analysis to support seasonal plans/estimates, including analysis of sell-through, discounts and analytically surface patterns as future performance indicators
- Contribute to seasonal post-mortems with cross-functional teams to continuously improve and refine allocations and processes
- Act as the Subject Matter Expert for all retail inventory tools
- Facilitate the short-dated and excess inventory process for Retail, including recommended action items; communicate to stores short-dated inventory, prioritized items and report on consumption by period
- Facilitate exit strategy of discontinued items in collaboration with team members to ensure mínimal excess and seamless transition to innovation
- Use historical data and analysis to determine and oversee the store allocations for all seasonal product through the key selling seasons, including load-ins to set the season
- Provide in-season analysis on shipments, sales and allocations by store to provide insights to retail organization, including regional teams and stores
- Manage the Retail Supplies and Packaging inventory via web-based system to support store initiatives and place orders with vendors to maintain proper weeks of supply, including system maintenance and item set up
- Regularly maintain of the Retail order guide(s)
- Manage parameters within the POS system to ensure seamless selling
- Ensure timely execution and effective communication to support stores
- Regularly report and monitor store open-orders with subsequent follow up to close out
- Work with the Retail Finance controller and be responsible for the Retail cycle count reconciliation

**Qualifications**:

- 2-3 years’ experience in inventory management, preferably within a Retail environment
- 1-2 years’ experience in Merchandising or Category Management
- Previous experience with a seasonal business (preferably Confectionery)
- Previous experience with retail forecasting required
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Previous experience using JD Edwards is preferred, not required
- Ability to meet deadlines, multi-task easily
- Creative solutions provider
- Pro-active self-starter, able to work independently and in team settings
- Good communication skills, both oral and written
- Superior mathematical and analytical skills
- Highly organized, accurate and detail oriented, but able to see and work the big picture

Lindt & Sprüngli is recognized as a leader in the market for premium quality chocolate, offering a large selection of products in more than 120 countries around the world. During more than 170 years of Lindt & Sprüngli's existence, it has become known as one of the most innovative and creative companies making premium chocolate, with 12 production sites in Europe and the USA, and distribution and sales companies on four continents.
Lindt is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request. Please contact our Human Resources department for more information. #CORPORATE #RETAILOPERATIONS #LI-LINDTCA #LI-Hybrid #LI-DT1