*This role is eligible to be performed remotely, however, if you reside within 60 miles of Lands’ End’s office in Dodgeville, WI or New York City, you will be expected to collaborate onsite in a hybrid fashion for up to 12 days per month.
The Director of Inventory Planning is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping how inventory planning supports the Lands’ End Outfitters business as a commercial partner. This role leads the planning organization for Outfitters and ensures inventory decisions enable strong customer service, profitable growth, and disciplined inventory investment across the portfolio.
This leader brings a customer-first, commercially minded approach, partnering closely with Sales, Merchandising, Program Management, Finance, Operations, and Sourcing to influence go-to-market decisions, customer commitments, and inventory risk management.
- Lead the inventory planning function for Outfitters, setting strategy, expectations, and priorities that align with business objectives and customer needs.
- Position planning as an early, influential partner in customer programs, renewals, transitions, and growth opportunities.
- Guide the development of planning assumptions that reflect customer behavior, program structure, seasonality, and service expectations—rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
- Lead scenario planning and trade-off discussions to inform decisions related to service levels, inventory investment, margin, and risk.
- Partner with Sales and Merchandising leaders to support customer commitments, assortment decisions, and program design with data-driven insights.
- Translate complex analysis into clear recommendations for senior leaders, helping simplify ambiguity and drive alignment.
- Build, coach, and develop a high-performing planning team, strengthening commercial thinking, analytical rigor, and confidence in influencing the business.
- Drive continuous improvement in planning tools, processes, and analytics, including effective use of data and technology.
Skills
- Leads multiple departments or a large, complex function.
- Develops long-term strategic plans and operational frameworks.
- Accountable for business outcomes and financial performance.
- Builds and sustains a strong organizational culture.
Leadership Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of employees.
- Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to team members.
- Foster a collaborative and positive work environment.
- Set performance expectations and goals for team members.
- Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback.
- Identify and address performance issues through coaching and disciplinary actions when necessary.
- Participate and recruitment and onboarding of new team members, as needed.
- Identify training needs within the team and coordinate relevant development programs, encourage continuous learning and skill development among team members.
- Serve as liaison between upper management and team, conveying organizational goals and expectations.
- Address conflicts or issues within the team promptly and effectively.
- Manage team resources, including workload distribution and project assignments.
- Ensure optimal utilization of team member’s skills and expertise.
- Collaborate with upper management to establish team goals aligned with organizational objectives.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of department strategies.
Education & Experience Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience in inventory planning, supply chain, commercial operations.
- Proven experience leading teams and developing planning or analytical capabilities at scale.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance service, growth, margin, and inventory investment.
- Advanced Excel skills required (comfortable with complex modeling and analysis).
- Advanced degree (e.g., MBA) preferred
- Experience with SAP / S/4HANA and Power BI strongly preferred.
- Ability to navigate ambiguity, think strategically, and bring structure to complex business decisions.
- Experience in B2B, uniforms, or program-based businesses is a plus.
- 12-15 years of experience, including significant leadership responsibilities.