Stock Support Analyst

Howdens Joinery is looking for a commercially minded inventory specialist to join our Commercial Planning Team as Stock Support Analyst. This is an integral role, supporting our Depot Managers, Area Managers and Regional Directors, to ensure that depot stock levels deliver best possible availability and service to customers and that their use of internal transport logistics is optimised.

Reporting to the Stock Support Manager, as a Stock Support Analyst you will work in close partnership with up to 100 Depot Mangers and 5 Area Managers. The role is based at our office in Raunds, Northamptonshire with regular travel to depot sites across a specific region and opportunity for some hybrid working.

What will I be doing as Stock Support Analyst:

• Analysis of sales, stock and depot size (space) to draw up actions and recommendations required for changes or improvements to depot stocking. Overlaying current business priorities and focus, including promotions and promotional periods, to ensure that activity is appropriate in terms of timing and resource required
• Providing clear conclusions and recommendations for managers at the end of any engagement session – a high level of mental agility and intelligence is required to do this, along with a thorough understanding of all aspects of stock and ROP management
• Advice must be presented in a way that is easy to digest and understand in a very short space of time.
• Working with Area and Depot managers to tailor stocking recommendations to the needs of regions, areas and individual depots, considering variability of circumstance
• Receiving and understanding ad-hoc feedback from Area and Depot managers on specific sales/stocking challenges faced and incorporating into work done to ensure that advice and recommendations address their needs directly
• Ensuring that Depot reporting requirements are understood and met so that managers have the supporting information that they need to guide their daily stocking decision making
• Tracking results in depot, measuring improvement and acting to ensure advice is implemented, escalating where appropriate
• Prioritisation of areas of focus must be provided to the Stock Support Manager, this requires strong working relationships with all managers to ensure that all needs are understood and assessed evenly, uninfluenced by personality
  • g. Which depots require additional support first
  • g. Reporting requirements to improve depot support
• Opportunities for improvement as well as potential problems must be identified and realised/resolved, or where appropriate escalated to the Stock Support Manager
  • g. Depots require access to information currently not available
  • g. Identifying depots that require additional support

What will I need to qualify for Stock Support Analyst:

• Proven experience in stock/inventory management or similar positions within Supply Chains, Commercial departments or Product and Category structures
• Solid understanding of stocking practices and principles, ideally Stock management optimisation through a vertically integrated business supply chain
• Highly analytical with the ability to interpret complex data sets and identify trends or patterns in order to provide recommendations
• Articulate with the ability to communicate detailed information with clarity and authority in a way that is easily understood and facilitates decisions making
• Excellent commercial skills with the capability to understand the end-to-end business impact of stocking recommendations and actions
• Experienced in building and managing working relationships with stakeholders of all levels
• Resolute with a talent for persuading stakeholders towards the best course of action
• Computer literate with a robust understanding of Excel, Microsoft packages and ideally SAP BOXI

What we offer you:

• Competitive salary and bonus scheme
• Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
• Subsidised lunch at our onsite restaurant.
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays per year & opportunity to buy extra holidays.
• Share save scheme.
• Exceptional reward and recognition events

About Howdens:

Howdens Joinery is a FTSE 100 company and the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. We have over 800 depots throughout the UK and Europe – making us the first choice for more than 460,000 loyal trade professionals. With an ambitious and credible growth plan, we continue to build on our £2.3 billion sales made last year.

There is a strong entrepreneurial ethos and the opportunity to develop within a fast-paced and commercial environment. That, along with a competitive salary, development opportunities, and exciting rewards, are among the reasons why our people enjoy working for Howdens – and why we have been named as one of the 10 Best Big Companies to Work For.

How to Apply:

We are building a future where world-class service, innovation, and sustainability are embedded within our DNA. If Howdens sounds like the kind of place where you can build and develop your career, then we are keen to hear from you.

You will need to activate your account when you apply for this role.  Please check your email carefully to ensure that you have completed this step.  We are unable to view your application if you have not activated your account.

Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email recruitmentteam@howdens.com with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you.

#LI-NB1