Sr Analyst Planning & Inventory Ops

About us:

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.

A role in Planning means being in charge of the financials and forecasting for one of Target’s businesses. Here, you will conduct comparative analysis of business results and trends to provide insights that inform the Inventory team’s work to ensure that product supports projected sales. Acting as the hub between Merchandising and Supply Chain, you will create a financial link between these two essential groups and have a voice in some of the most important decisions from a financial strategy standpoint.

Primary Functions:

As part of your daily deliverables you will be expected to:

• Lead assignments and participate in projects as part of the Demand Forecasting CoE.

• Partner with pyramid teams to establish best practices, identify business trends and actions required.

• Determine approach to work, and course correct based on changing objectives / check-ins.

• Requires in-depth knowledge of demand forecasting and upstream/downstream impact of work to related job families.

• Effective communication with peers and partners

• Provides business specific coaching & mentoring to others in the department or immediate team.

You will be responsible for liasoning with the pyramid teams to drive PIM Ops initaitives, identify areas for process optimization and lead projects for establishing the Demand Forecasting CoE. Driving & achieving key demand forecasting & inventory goals through collaboration with partner teams will be key to this role.

Principle Duties and Responsiblities:

Demand Forecasting: Provide in-season decision support guidance by identifying demand shifts, performance variances, and emerging risks or opportunities, and recommend appropriate planning actions. Contribute to improved planning quality by identifying gaps in processes, data inputs, forecasting patterns, and decision-making processes.

Operational Alignment: Monitor key inventory and planning indicators to identify underperformance, imbalance, or execution risks, and escalate issues with recommended actions. Help improve synchronization between forecast, inventory intent, and operational execution through proactive follow-up and clear communication with stakeholders.

Special Projects/Pilots: Participate in cross functional and other special projects impacting business strategies. Play a key role in all Demand Forecasting CoE initiatives as we look to establish demand forecasting across business areas. Managing Operation: Ownership of business and operational metric for the team & weekly recaps, You will be also respoinsbile for driving business review meetings in close collaboration with your leader.

Execute Strategies: Execute strategies to drive Demand Forecasting CoE initiatives.

Leader Backup: As a senior team member you are expected to be the operational leader for the team in the absence of leader.

Communication:  Ensure timely and proactive communication with key stakeholders such as planners and inventory analysts at Target India and Minneapolis. Timely communication with Sr. Inventory Manager is also key to this role. Mentoring and Onboarding: As subject matter experts, train and mentor new team members.

Process Captainship : Drive operational excellence in assigned processes through effective partnership with relevant stakeholders.                                                                                                                                    

Reporting/ Working Relationship

Reports to Sr.Manager PIM Ops. Works closely with Planners and Inventory Management teams in TII, Minneapolis and other teams as necessary.

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduate/PG with 5 to 8 years of relevant work experience. Preference will be work experience in retail industry with working knowledge in demand planning.

• Analytical modelling, problem solving skills and knowledge on forecasting

• Data management and interpretation using statistical concepts

• Strong planning and operational skills

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively

• Proficiency in excel and good knowledge of other MS Office tools

• Assertiveness and strong initiative

• Ability to work well with others and contribute to a positive environment.

• Ability to train and guide others

• Highly motivated and committed to the development of high-quality work

 Desired:

• Knowledge of SQL, Python, Data Analytics

• Business specific industry knowledge

• Team management skills

Useful Links-  

Life at Target- https://india.target.com/ 

Benefits- https://india.target.com/life-at-target/workplace/benefits 

Culture- https://india.target.com/life-at-target/diversity-and-inclusion