At Life Style Sports, we’re redefining what it means to be a sports retailer!
Proudly Irish-owned and Ireland’s leading sports destination, we empower the Stylised Athlete through bold innovation and unforgettable experiences. From our Brand Centre in Dublin to our carbon-neutral warehouse, everything we do is built to make an impact.
With 39 stores, a thriving eCommerce presence, and a passionate team of over 650, we deliver the best from the world’s top sports brands every day.
But we’re more than just products — we’re about people.
Guided by our Brand values of Social, Inspirational, and Fearless, we create strong connections with our customers and foster a vibrant, inclusive culture for our team.
We’re proud to have been recognised as the #1 sports retailer on the Sunday Independent’s Best Employers list in both 2023 and 2024. We’re breaking barriers and setting new standards for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Our positive Gender Pay Gap report showcases the strength of our diverse and talented team, and we’re especially proud of the outstanding contributions of the incredible women across our stores and Brand Centre.
Ready to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and shape the future of sports retail? Join our EPIC team today and let’s change the game together!
Role Summary:
As Inventory Planning Manager, you report directly to the Supply Chain & Operations Director and will be responsible for ensuring the supply of stock meets demand across our Online store and 40 Bricks & Mortar stores. This will consist of managing stock levels in stores from set up before it arrives to in-season trading and finally supporting the liquation process.
Effective collaboration with our Buying, Merchandise, & Retail teams will be a crucial part of this role. You will also work closely with the Head of Supply Chain as you will be responsible for delivering forecasted volumes across inbound and outbound to the Head of Supply Chain which are key to capacity management within our Fulfilment Centre.
Role Responsibilities:
* Building a commercial stock movement calendar that supports product sell thru and the seasonal flow to ensure the right stock is in the right place as its trading.
* Compiling volume forecasts for Inbound (new inbound, store recalls & returns) and Outbound (ecom & retail) to support the planning and capacity management in FC.
* Pre-Season: Review of Stock Holding groups, Grades, Profiles, & Pre-allocations prior to start of each season.
* Set up of product flags to support inbound & picking efficiencies in FC – FastTrack, Ctn Qtys & Pack Size set up.
* Create efficient forecasting and reporting tools to support trade analysis.
* In Season Trading: Best Seller Reviews, resulting in profile changes, closing / opening stores, applying Mins or FMLs.
* Working with the buying team to highlight trends in products and stores that will lead to price changes, future store ranging plans & future size ratios.
* Manage the FMLs (Fast Moving Lines) recall requirements to ensure best sell through of stock at the strongest margin.
* Support the liquation of older season stock through Online & Clearance stores.
* Working collaboratively with Buying & Merch teams on pre-season set up and ensure store trends are planned into the new seasonal option plans.
* Working close with the Buying & Retail Operations team to manage the option capacities by store and improve the process in line with optimal store layout.
* The Supply Chain Manager will be a key relationship to support the coordination of logistics.
People Management:
* Coaching & developing a Supply Chain Co-ordinator to support career progression.
* Enable a high-performance culture and deliver effective succession & talent pipeline plans across the Supply Chain Team.
* Develop and implement Best Standard Practices across all areas to provide structure, with a view to maximising process efficiency and compliance.
Communication:
* Work closely with internal stakeholders such as the Buying, Merchandise, Retail & eCommerce teams and actively participate in departmental monthly and regular meetings. Generate and complete accurate reports for the above meetings and departments when required.
* Communicate to Buying & Merchandise team weekly providing insights and proposing best approach to optimise sell through.
* Communicate developments or areas of opportunity in terms of sales trends.
Technical Skills and Experience:
* Experience in an inventory control role for more than 3 years.
* Must have worked in Retail or B2C Industry.
* Strong numeric, data/analytical, financial, and organisational skills.
* Experience in use of Microsoft Excel at an advanced level.
* Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., Microsoft D365) BI tools (e.g., Tableau) and Microsoft Office.
* Third Level qualification in Supply Chain, Buying & Merchandise or Business or related discipline (desirable).
About you:
* Demonstrate Communication Skills that are adaptive to each hierarchy resulting in strong relationships with all stakeholders.
* Initiate, implement, and adapt to Change efficiently and effectively.
* Plan & organise in advance anticipating & minimising business threats & maximising business opportunities.
* Possess a high level of retail Commercial Awareness integrated with a good sense of Business Acumen to always support and protect the needs of the business.
* Coach, Develop and Performance Manage the Supply Chain Co-ordinator to a high standard to deliver a high-performance culture.
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Strategy/Planning and Supply Chain
Industries
Retail
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