Operations & Inventory Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

Kathe Wohlfahrt is a privately held company with a collaborative team of 25 year-round employees and 200 seasonal staff in North America.  We specialize in authentic German Christmas decorations handcrafted in Germany.

We are seeking an analytical, detail-oriented Operations and Inventory Specialist to help optimize inventory management, product planning, logistics and operational reporting across our growing business.  This is a newly created position designed to bring together key analytical and operational responsibilities.  

This role combines data analysis with hands-on operational execution. The ideal candidate enjoys solving problems, identifying trends, improving processes, and using data to drive smarter business decisions. You'll work closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to improve inventory accuracy, purchasing decisions, and operational efficiency.

Website:    christmasfromgermany.com  

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Management and Operations (40% of time)

- Co-owner of RunIt inventory management and POS system, which will involve managing, implementing and recommending strategies to optimize business operations as we grow.

- Support inventory transfers, annual physical inventory, pricing updates, reports to Germany and inventory accuracy initiatives.  

- Develop and document scalable standard operating procedures (SOPs).

- Support data cleansing and ongoing maintenance of customer and operational databases.

Inventory Planning and Product Selection (40% of time)

- Analyze historical sales, inventory performance and consumer trends to recommend product assortment and annual order quantities.  

- Forecast product demand and recommend order quantities to support seasonal sales while minimizing excess on-hand inventory.

- Maintain annual product ordering calendar and product database

- Coordinate with a few assigned U.S. vendors for annual order. 

- Partner with the retail team to optimize product assortment and merchandising decisions.

Logistics and Supply Chain (10% of time)

- Coordinate inbound domestic and international shipments

- Work with freight forwarders, custom brokers and carriers to ensure timely delivery and shipments.

- Monitor freight costs, tariff implications and HTS classifications

Product Support (10% of time)
- Continuously improve workflows across purchasing, receiving, warehouse and inventory management – from warehouse space planning to store planograms.

- Support product setup and data uploads into Big Commerce platform.

- Identify trends and provide recommendations to improve profitability and operational performance.

- Build and maintain Excel dashboards and other KPI reporting.

- Provide variance analysis between budgeted and actual inventory/purchasing – and provide recommendations.

Required Skills & Qualifications

- 2+ years of relevant experience in data management, inventory planning, operations analysis or business analytics.

- Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, IF, INDEX/MATCH, Power Query).
- Experience with inventory management, ERP or POS Systems

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate data into recommendations. 

- Excellent organizational and project management skills.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities in an often fast-paced seasonal business
- Strong communication and cross-department coordination skills.

Preferred

- Experience leading projects or supervising employees, strong technical aptitude and ability to learn new systems and ability to travel internationally on an occasional basis

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $57,000–$75,000, depending on experience
• Health insurance (medical, dental, eye)
• SIMPLE IRA with company contribution
• Paid Time Off
• Employee discount
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Flexible summer hours

Note

The position is based in White Bear Lake, Minnesota and we are not planning on covering relocation expenses.  Additionally, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for current or future employment-visa sponsorship.