Barnes & Noble, Inc. · 2 days ago
Specialty Inventory Manager
Barnes & Noble, Inc. is seeking a Specialty Inventory Manager responsible for managing specialty inventory levels across various store categories. The role involves collaborating with buyers and visual merchandisers to optimize inventory strategies and ensure timely product delivery.
Retail
Responsibilities
Work closely with buyers and visual merchandisers to identify appropriate presets for each product purchased
Meet deadlines set by the Specialty Commercial Calendar to ensure timely delivery of product
Present inventory buy and allocation strategy to larger Specialty team when appropriate
Work with buyers on key items to determine quantities or adjustments needed to presets based on marketing, publicity and commercial calendar plans
Work with Visual Merchandising team to identify appropriate display quantities for furniture and fixtures
Effectively utilize inventory management systems to execute allocation strategies
Partner with the Distribution Center when appropriate to ensure inventory is flowing to stores timely and efficiently
Assist in managing the production process for any applicable products by ordering components, planning production quantities and allocation of finished goods
Analyze ongoing sales trends and postmortem findings to take appropriate actions to ensure the optimal inventory levels are maintained in each store throughout the product lifecycle
Replenish inventory to stores to minimize markdowns and/or maximize margin and sales
Use tools to reorder quantities of products based on their replenishment strategy and rank to maintain positive DC in stock position
Make recommendations to buyers for expansion and contraction of existing products/programs and promotions based on store profiles and store sales data
Identify sales trends or store profile changes for core products/programs and make store/item combination change recommendations when opening new stores or assisting in store renovations
Report analytics and identify actions needed to support margin, sales and sell through of product
Qualification
Required
High understanding of the specialty business and familiarity with categories and sales trends
Must be flexible enough to identify and interpret changing trends, convert those findings into buying strategies, effectively communicate proposed strategy changes to cross-functional team members and drive the business
Must be collaborative while balancing the confidence to remain steadfast on decisions as needed
Listens attentively and is receptive to other perspectives, incorporating this feedback in decision making
Ability to adapt well to changes in direction and priority in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment
Works consistently and productively, showing strong concentration and discipline
Proven ability to communicate effectively with partners, follow up and create a collaborative work environment
Is positive, self-motivated and proactive
Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of retail math – must be a 'numbers' person
Experienced in Microsoft Office suite and familiarity with internal merchandising, inventory and reporting tools a plus (including Business Intelligence, Corporate Reporting Center, IMM, IM2, 1010 data, Data Warehouse, other analytical tools)
Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience with at least 3 years of experience in retail analysis
Strong analytical skills. Ability to think critically and communicate complex thoughts and/or ideas in clear and concise manner
Works collaboratively with cross functional partners
Company
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Barnes & Noble proudly serves America with approximately 600 bookstores across all fifty states, and are busy opening newly designed stores in communities nationwide.
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageRecent News
Palmetto Publishing
2025-10-06
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