Scientific Anglers – Inventory Control Buyer/Planner – Midland, MI

Scientific Anglers, in Midland, Michigan, is seeking an experienced Inventory Control Buyer/Planner to join our Supply Chain team for our Accessories product category. This key position is responsible for ensuring that we have the right amount of inventory available to support the accessories business in a wholesale environment. This is an on-site position.

The Inventory Control Buyer/Planner has ownership for developing and executing seasonal purchasing strategies at the SKU level that support financial plans for all business channels (Dealers, distributors, and OEM customers).  A successful Inventory Control Buyer/Planner will own item level planning, analysis and execution of the purchasing strategy for all raw materials and finished goods in the category.  Additionally, they will be great at prioritizing and organizing, will be detail oriented, excellent at problem solving, will be forward-thinking and able to adapt to evolving priorities.  A typical day is highly data driven and consists of analyzing sales, inventory and expected future demand to accurately forecast and execute purchasing and inventory flow solutions to maximize sales, customer satisfaction, and minimize company inventory risk. 

Scientific Anglers, as part of the Orvis Company, takes pride in our world-class service and products, treating customers, vendor partners, and each other with integrity and mutual respect. We work in a supportive, team-oriented environment, focusing on performance, and continuous improvement to surprise and delight our customers.. Scientific Anglers is committed to giving back to our community and protecting nature.

Company Interfaces
The Inventory Control Buyer/Planner reports directly to the Manager of Merchandise Operations and Planning, and is in Midland, Michigan. The position interfaces internally with the Manager, merchandise operations team, product development, sales, marketing, accounting, and customer service. The position also has critical external interaction with our vendor base.

Key Performance Measurements
The position is evaluated on the ability to maintain the most profitable relationship between order fulfillment (service level %), inventory turn, and distressed inventory values.

General Responsibilities

1. Preseason Forecasting: Prior to each selling season, the control buyer is responsible for forecasting inventory needs for leader and tippet, fly fishing accessories, and fly line backing. Preseason item level forecasts are reconciled against category budgets. This aligns top-down financial plans with bottom-up item level forecasts.
2. Preseason Ordering: Prior to each selling season, the control buyer is responsible for compiling all forecasts and preseason orders and creating and implementing buy strategies in support of company goals and key performance measurements.
3. In season monitoring: During a selling season, the control buyer regularly reviews product performance by monitoring demand fluctuations to preseason forecasts. In season analysis often results in the modification of future forecasts and orders.
4. SKU level Life Cycle management: Contribute to seasonal product assortment decisions through item level analysis that identifies opportunities for growth, sku rationalization, or gaps in assortment.  Provides item set up information and crucial support to the sales and marketing teams and ensures that new products are available at specified dates. Initiate and implement product exit strategies at end of product life cycle to minimize distressed/aged inventory.
5. Category Supply Chain Ownership: This position owns the supply chain for the category through planning and buying both finished goods and the raw materials to support finished good sales for: Leaders, Tippet, accessories and fly line backing.  Includes working with vendors to maintain product standards and rectify quality control issues
6. Travel:  Some travel required, less than 10%. Including local, national, international.

Qualifications Required

• BA/BS degree, in Business, Supply Chain or related field
•  3-5 years’ experience in a related field focusing on inventory management, merchandise planning, flow of goods
• Candidate MUST be highly proficient with Microsoft Excel
• Experience with NetSuite ERP a plus
• APICS certifications a plus
• import/export experience a plus
• Fly Fishing experience a plus

A successful Candidate will be:

• Results oriented with strong time management and work prioritization skills.
• Possess exceptional analytical, judgement, and strong decision-making abilities.
• Must be highly organized, detail oriented, enjoy problem solving.
• Excellent communication skills, teamwork, initiative, and ability to learn
  • Ability to connect how the role interacts with cross functional teams and be able to optimize those relationships to achieve company goals

About Scientific Anglers:

Scientific Anglers, founded in 1945, is located in Midland, Michigan. Throughout our 77-year history, Scientific Anglers has consistently set the standard in premier fly-fishing products. From inventing the contemporary floating fly line more than 70 years ago to our specialty core construction and patented technologies we continue to transform and modernize the sport. Our angling scientists and design teamwork in partnership with fly-fishing legends to develop cutting-edge technologies and ultimate fly line designs to boost your fly-fishing experience to the extreme. Whether you are just beginning or an experienced angler our equipment is designed to give you optimum performance with every cast. http://www.scientificanglers.com/