Inventory Analyst

Suave is a leading personal care brand that sells products across hair care, body care, and anti-perspirant/ deodorant. The brand is currently sold across the mass, value, food, drug, and eCommerce channels and has its most significant presence in the mass channel at Walmart. Suave is the #1 hair care brand in the United States by volume and sells at an opening price point stressing great product quality at an attractive price.

The brand was founded 75+ years ago and was recently acquired from Unilever by private equity firm Yellow Wood Partners, establishing it as a standalone company.

Business Highlights

In the 12 months ending December 2022, Suave produced ~$660M in retail sales in tracked channels.

Suave holds the #1 market share position in hair care by volume in the mass, food, and drug channels and #2 volume market share position in body wash.

Position Summary:

The Inventory Analyst is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing finished goods inventory across the distribution network and collaborating with customer service on inventory allocation. This role ensures accurate inventory shipping & receiving records are maintained across suppliers and 3PLs ensuring high service levels while balancing inventory investment, cost, and operational constraints. Working closely with Planning, Logistics, and Customer teams, the Inventory Analyst helps anticipate risks, identify inventory imbalances, and supports consistent service performance as the distribution network matures. Position ensures inventory is reconciled across 3PL WMS inventory systems and internal Business Central ERP inventory records.

Core Responsibilities:

Replenishment, Inventory & Network Flow

Build and manage dashboards to assess inventory positions, allocation, and precut process and ensures inventory record accuracy across 3PLs and internal ERP systems.

Manage inventory variances and reconciliation with 3PLs and suppliers and proactively communicates variances and works with planning team on PO updates/changes

Receives inventory into ERP and verifies quantities and processes supplier invoices for payment

Audits cycle count reporting with 3PLs and audits receiving and shipping records

Cross-Functional Execution

Coordinate with Manufacturing, co-packers, Logistics, and DC Operations to align supply plans with warehouse and transportation capacity

Recommend customer replenishment strategy changes to drive case pick to full layer and pallet pick volumes with customer service and sales teams

Support customer supply teams with allocation decisions and service issue resolution

Support peak and seasonal planning to ensure network readiness – space planning

Continuous Improvement

Drive EDI integrations for ASNs to improve inventory accuracy and enhanced 3PL reporting and automation with 3PLs and IT team

Identify opportunities to improve stock slotting with 3PL partners to improve warehouse productivity performance through detailed analysis.

Primary Requirements:

2-5 years of experience in distribution planning, logistics, or inventory management

Experience in CPG, food & beverage, or consumer goods

Strong Excel skills and comfort working with imperfect data

Experience w/Kinaxis and/or MS Business Central and Korber WMS preferred

Ability to prioritize, make judgment calls, and move fast

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, finance, or business-related field.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with external suppliers.