Replenishment managers are experts who work with their companies to determine what products will be available at different times and how much of each item will be sold. These individuals must be meticulous and possess strong analytical and mathematical abilities. Companies typically seek replenishment managers who have earned at least a four-year bachelor’s degree in a business-related field. A replenishment manager determines what inventory should be present at a company and ensures that supply chain methods are efficient. This type of person keeps his knowledge of industry principles up to date and also trains others in the field.
A replenishment manager’s job is to figure out how many goods a company needs to make available for purchase in order to meet its financial objectives. This person creates forecasts for which products should be transported to which stores and in what quantities in order to achieve desired revenue levels while not wasting company resources. When making inventory decisions, he or she must consider demand for specific products during various seasons of the year and in various market areas.
Leaders in this field also work to ensure that supply chain procedures are as efficient as possible. A replenishment manager looks for ways to improve the process of turning raw materials into products and then delivering them to store shelves for end users to purchase. He or she tries to keep company procedures as efficient as possible — a process known as lean manufacturing — while also ensuring that the items produced are of high quality and presentable to customers.
Maintaining his or her knowledge of this field up to date is also an important task in this field. A person who wants to work as a replenishment manager should enjoy learning because he or she will need to attend industry training sessions and college-level courses to improve their skills. Obtaining certification in the use of software used to complete forecasting activities can also help a replenishment manager stay current and appealing to companies.
To succeed in this industry, you must be able to teach. To ensure smooth operations, field managers must instruct replenishment analysts, suppliers, and other business partners on their companies’ inventory management processes. They also provide training to marketing professionals on organizational supply procedures so that they are aware of when various goods will be ready for public sale.