Associate Director - Central Replenishment

We are looking for an experienced and strategic Associate Director - Central Replenishment to lead our replenishment function and drive inventory optimization across Distribution Centers (DCs) and stores. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring product availability, maintaining healthy inventory levels, and delivering replenishment excellence through data-driven planning and strong cross-functional collaboration.

As a key business partner to Commercial, Supply Chain, and Operations teams, you will lead replenishment strategy, develop high-performing teams, and ensure alignment between customer demand, inventory investment, and business objectives.

• Lead and manage the Central Replenishment team to ensure timely, effective, and efficient replenishment of products across DCs and retail stores.

• Drive replenishment strategies that optimize product availability while maintaining inventory and stock cover targets.

• Monitor and improve key replenishment KPIs, including stock days, availability, inventory productivity, and service levels.

• Provide leadership, coaching, development, and performance management to replenishment team members.

• Champion a data-driven approach to demand forecasting, inventory planning, and replenishment decision-making.

• Ensure compliance with agreed operational processes and service level agreements (SLAs) across functions.

• Leverage market insights, seasonal trends, promotional activities, customer demand patterns, and price movements to enhance inventory performance.

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Commercial, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Logistics, and Store Operations teams.

• Serve as the subject matter expert and key liaison between Central Replenishment, Supply Chain, and Commercial stakeholders.

• Lead strategic initiatives, business improvement projects, and transformation programs related to inventory and replenishment planning.

• Identify opportunities to improve replenishment processes, systems, and inventory productivity across the organization.

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field.

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years' experience in Replenishment, Demand Planning, Inventory Management, Supply Chain Planning, or related disciplines.

• Proven leadership experience managing replenishment or planning teams within a retail, wholesale, FMCG, or distribution environment.

• Demonstrated success in driving inventory optimization and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong expertise in:

• Central Replenishment

• Demand Planning & Forecasting

• Inventory Management

• Retail Merchandising

• Supply Chain Operations

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and MS Office applications.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with a data-driven mindset.

• Comprehensive understanding of supply and demand planning principles.

• Strong business acumen and commercial awareness.

• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.

• Proven ability to work effectively with stakeholders from mid-management to executive leadership levels.

• Strategic thinker with strong execution capabilities in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.