Inventory Planning Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Summary:

Family-owned and operated for five generations, Stauffer Glove & Safety is a leader in the distribution of safety and PPE products. The Inventory Planning Analyst is responsible for managing and optimizing inventory levels through data analysis, forecasting, and coordination with cross‑functional teams. This role ensures accurate inventory reporting, effective stock disposition, and alignment with vendor return policies while supporting operational efficiency and cost control. This position assists in monitoring inventory transactions, investigating variances, and maintaining inventory records to support operational efficiency and financial integrity.

What we Offer

With over 115 years of experience, Stauffer Glove & Safety offers employees the stability of an industry leader.

• 401K + 401K matching
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Wellness incentives

Essential Functions:

• Generate and analyze inventory reports to provide insight into stock levels, trends, and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Prepare and present inventory data reports to support purchasing and operational decision‑making
• Perform demand forecasting using historical data, market insights, and seasonality to anticipate future inventory requirements.
• Support the accounting, reporting, and analysis related to inventories and standard costs.
• Collaborate with Operations to coordinate stock management and inventory movement, including stock outs and blending of product.
• Determine proper item disposition, including stocking, vendor returns, or discard decisions.
• Identify, monitor, and address excess inventory and slow‑moving stock.
• Request and coordinate cycle counts to maintain inventory accuracy.
• Own and manage the customer offboarding inventory process.
• Reconcile discrepancies between system data, drop ship (DS), and In Transit (IT) warehouse inventory.
• Coordinate and manage purchasing responsibilities for inventory mergers, product discontinuations, customer conversions, and consolidation initiatives.
• Complete system inventory adjustments as required.
• Work with the Supplier Administrators to maintain the vendor return policy terms within the ERP system.
• Act as a Liaison between Supplier Administrators and Warehouse Operations when adjustments /changes need to be made to items with stock on hand.
• Support warehouse managers by providing inventory insights, status updates, and issue resolutions to maintain smooth operations.
• Deliver high‑quality internal customer service to Buyers, Operations, and other stakeholders by responding proactively and professionally.
• Coordinate and clarify inventory expectations to align purchasing decisions with warehouse capabilities and constraints.
• Coordinate any product returns with the appropriate suppliers, document reason for return and if necessary, communicate product issues with Category Management team.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Competencies:

• Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.
• Ability to solve problems effectively.
• Responds to inquiries and questions in a timely fashion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly analytical; ability to successfully manage and analyze data.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrates ability to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making
• Adheres to a strong set of cover values.

Required Education and Experience:

• A completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited university preferably in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Accounting or business-related field of study.
• At least 3 years of experience in inventory management or inventory analysis.
• Solid understanding of supply chain and materials management principles.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate inventory data, identify trends, and provide recommendations that support effective purchasing and inventory management decisions.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Google Sheets, with demonstrated experience using data analysis tools to interpret and manage business data.
• Proficient in ERP and procurement tools/software; including but not limited to reporting of supplier/supply chain related key performance indicators (KPI’s).

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience in inventory accounting or finance with the ability to apply financial and analytical principles to support inventory management.
• Experience with continuous improvement initiatives; including but not limited to Lean or Six Sigma driven initiatives.
• Certificate and/or training completion in continuous improvement methodologies; Six Sigma or Lean.
• Experience with Power BI or Tableau.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely involves standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk; Ability to sit for long periods of time at a desk. Frequent use of hands to operate the computer and phone.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday,8am to 4:30pm. This is a hybrid position, and associates are required to work a minimum of 2 days onsite at the corporate location. Onsite days are assigned by department manager and can be increased or changed by department manager based on the needs of the business.

Travel

• No travel is expected for this position.

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO Statement

Stauffer Glove and Safety is an EEO/AA/Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability Employer - See more at: