Inventory Planner

Inventory Planner

This role has been designed as 'Hybrid' with a requirement that you will work on average 2 days per week from an HPE office.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise is the global edge-to-cloud company advancing the way people live and work. We help companies connect, protect, analyze, and act on their data and applications wherever they live, from edge to cloud, so they can turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today's complex world. Our culture thrives on finding new and better ways to accelerate what's next. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good. If you are looking to stretch and grow your career our culture will embrace you. Open up opportunities with HPE.

Job Description

Job Summary

The Inventory Planner Expert is responsible for driving inventory optimization across a complex global supply chain, balancing inventory investment, supply availability, revenue commitments, and working capital objectives. The role leverages advanced analytics, multi-echelon inventory optimization (MEIO), scenario modeling, and digital planning capabilities to develop inventory strategies that improve inventory health, mitigate supply risks, and optimize inventory investments.

Key Responsibilities

Inventory Planning & Optimization

• Develop and execute inventory plans across finished goods, components, raw materials, and strategic inventory buffers.
• Own inventory target recommendations, safety stock policies, and buffer optimization using MEIO and advanced planning methodologies.
• Evaluate inventory positioning across suppliers, manufacturing locations, regional hubs, and distribution centers.
• Analyze demand variability, supply constraints, lead times, service-level requirements, and replenishment strategies.
• Identify opportunities to reduce excess inventory while maintaining supply continuity and customer commitments.

Inventory Health & Financial Management

• Monitor inventory performance, including inventory turns, days of inventory, excess and obsolete (E&O), aging, and inventory coverage.
• Develop inventory projections and identify risks to quarterly and annual inventory targets.
• Partner with Finance, Supply Planning, Procurement, and Manufacturing to develop inventory reduction and working capital improvement opportunities.
• Conduct root-cause analysis of inventory variances and develop corrective action plans.
• Support inventory exposure assessments, liability reviews, and mitigation strategies.

Advanced Analytics & Planner of the Future

• Leverage AI/ML, predictive analytics, automation, and scenario modeling to improve inventory planning decisions.
• Develop analytical models to evaluate inventory trade-offs, supply risks, and financial implications.
• Support digital transformation initiatives, including MEIO, MRP Digital Twin, and inventory health dashboards.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual inventory reporting, analysis, and decision-making.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Procurement, Manufacturing, Fulfillment, and Finance to align inventory strategies with business objectives.
• Lead complex inventory improvement initiatives across multiple product portfolios and manufacturing partners.
• Provide data-driven recommendations to business leaders on inventory investments, supply continuity, and financial trade-offs.
• Mentor junior planners and contribute to process standardization and continuous improvement.

Education and Experience

• Typically 610 years of experience in inventory planning, supply chain planning, materials management, operations, or related functions.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business, Finance, or related field; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Experience with global manufacturing, complex supply networks, and inventory optimization.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong expertise in inventory optimization, safety stock, MEIO, MRP, and inventory replenishment.
• Advanced analytical, financial modeling, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proficiency in ERP and planning systems such as SAP, Oracle, Kinaxis, o9, or equivalent.
• Experience with Power BI, SQL, Python, Excel, or similar analytical tools.
• Understanding of working capital, inventory valuation, E&O, and inventory financial performance.
• Strong cross-functional communication, influencing, and project leadership skills.
• Ability to evaluate complex inventory trade-offs and translate insights into actionable business recommendations.

Accessibility

HPE is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. If you believe you require accommodation during any stage of the application or interview process, please submit your request by completing our secure form linked here.

Note: This option is reserved for applicants needing assistance/reasonable accommodation related to a disability.

What We Can Offer You:

Health & Wellbeing

We strive to provide our team members and their loved ones with a comprehensive suite of benefits that supports their physical, financial and emotional wellbeing.

Personal & Professional Development

We also invest in your career because the better you are, the better we all are. We have specific programs catered to helping you reach any career goals you have whether you want to become a knowledge expert in your field or apply your skills to another division.

Unconditional Inclusion

We are unconditionally inclusive in the way we work and celebrate individual uniqueness. We know varied backgrounds are valued and succeed here. We have the flexibility to manage our work and personal needs. We make bold moves, together, and are a force for good.