Sr. Inventory Analyst

Position Overview: 

The Senior Inventory Analyst is a lead contributor responsible for end‑to‑end inventory health across a multi‑temperature inbound warehouse network (dry, refrigerated, frozen) supporting a food‑service/coffeehouse operation. This role goes beyond execution and is expected to anticipate inventory needs, design and refine planning approaches, and drive continuous improvement across inventory planning, replenishment, and load building. 

As a senior individual contributor, this role partners deeply with Sourcing, Demand Planning, Transportation, Operations, Quality, and Finance to ensure the right product, in the right quantity, at the right time, while balancing freshness, service, cost, and capacity. The Senior Inventory Analyst is expected to operate with a high degree of ownership, influence cross‑functional outcomes, and lead through data‑driven insight and action. 

 Core Responsibilities: 

Inventory Planning 

Lead inventory planning strategy, not just execution. 

• Own inventory strategy and parameter design for assigned categories across dry, refrigerated, and frozen networks, including: 

• Safety stock, min/max, reorder points, and cycle stock 

• Shelf‑life constraints, freshness targets, and elapsed lead‑time thresholds 

• Lead development and refinement of inventory models that balance: 

• Service levels and in‑stock performance 

• Freshness, waste mitigation, and inventory turns 

• Warehouse capacity and working capital targets 

• Proactively anticipate future inventory needs and risks by: 

• Analyzing demand variability, forecast error, and lead‑time instability 

• Conducting scenario planning for seasonality, promotions, LTOs, and transitions 

• Perform deep root‑cause analysis on inventory health issues (stockouts, excess, short‑dated inventory) and drive corrective action, including parameter changes and process improvements. 

• Review and optimize inventory positions weekly, identifying recovery actions before service or freshness is impacted. 

• Provide clear, actionable inventory insights to leadership, translating complex data into recommended tradeoffs and decisions. 

• Serve as a subject‑matter expert on inventory strategy, segmentation, and optimization techniques. 

Replenishment Planning 

Design and improve replenishment approaches and mentor others. 

• Lead replenishment strategy for assigned categories and warehouses, ensuring consistent inbound flow while protecting freshness and capacity. 

• Design, refine, and govern replenishment parameters and logic, including:  

• Lead times, safety stock, reorder points, MOQs, and pack rounding 

• Independently manage and override system-generated order proposals based on:  

• Forecast confidence and demand signals 

• Supplier production cadence and constraints 

• Temperature zone capacity and receiving limitations 

• Drive continuous improvement in replenishment efficiency and accuracy through:  

• Performance reviews and root cause analysis 

• Parameter optimization and process standardization 

• Track inbound shipments, reconcile discrepancies, and proactively resolve risks related to late, early, or incomplete deliveries. 

• Partner with Demand Planning to align replenishment with promotional windows, seasonal demand shifts, and new/discontinued items. 

• Mentor Analysts on replenishment best practices and exception management. 

Load Building 

Lead load strategy development and identify systemic inefficiencies. 

• Own load-building strategy across dry, refrigerated, and frozen inbound freight. 

• Design and optimize load plans to:  

• Maximize cube and weight utilization 

• Minimize transportation cost and expedites 

• Maintain product integrity and temperature compliance 

• Lead consolidation strategies to meet fulltruckload targets while balancing freshness and inventory risk. 

• Translate complex constraints into executable plans, including:  

• Temperature segregation, palletization, stack-ability 

• Warehouse dock and capacity limitations 

• Identify systemic load-building inefficiencies and drive cross-functional improvements in tools, processes, or order cadence. 

• Collaborate with Transportation and Operations to align inventory availability with shipping schedules and execution realities. 

• Monitor carrier and load performance, adjusting strategies based on transit times and reliability. 

Partnership & Leadership 

 Lead cross-functional alignment and drive consensus.  

• Represent inventory tradeoffs across Sourcing, Demand Planning, Operations, Quality, and Finance to drive informed decisions in S&OP and AOP forums. Proactively communicate risks and opportunities, lead inventory recovery during disruptions, and establish disciplined standard work, reporting, and accountability to deliver results. 

Skills: 

Required: 

• Advanced knowledge of inventory planning and replenishment strategy within food‑service or perishable supply chains, including segmentation, safety stock design, and service‑level optimization. 

• Proven ability to lead inventory management across multiple temperature zones (dry, refrigerated, frozen), proactively balancing freshness, shelf‑life risk, service performance, and capacity constraints. 

• Expert analytical skills with the ability to design, refine, and interpret inventory and replenishment models using large, complex datasets. 

• Demonstrated ownership and prioritization skills in a fast‑moving, service‑critical environment, with the ability to make disciplined tradeoff decisions and lead recovery actions. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication to build relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders 

Preferred: 

• Demonstrated success driving waste, shrink, and short‑dated inventory reduction through root‑cause analysis and systemic process improvements. 

• Ability to develop and evolve performance reporting and dashboards (Power BI, Tableau, SQL) to support decision‑making and leadership visibility. 

Qualifications: 

Required: 

• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Finance, Business Analytics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant work experience.  

• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive experience in inventory planning, replenishment, or supply chain analytics, preferably within food‑service, retail, CPG, or other perishable inventory environments. 

Preferred:  

• Experience supporting multi‑temperature supply chains (dry, refrigerated, frozen) with shelf‑life and quality constraints. 

• Hands‑on experience with enterprise ERP and replenishment systems and demonstrated ability to improve or refine planning logic, not just execute within it. 

• Experience participating in or supporting S&OP and AOP processes, including scenario planning and inventory valuation. 

• Background in inbound transportation, load building, or warehouse network planning. 

• Experience mentoring analysts or serving as an informal team lead or subject‑matter expert. 

Physical Requirements: 

The physical requirements for this position include sitting, standing, bending, lifting, and moving intermittently during working hours.  These physical requirements must be accomplished with or without reasonable accommodation.  

The duties of this position may change from time to time. Caribou reserves the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of Caribou or its managers. This job description is intended to describe the general level of work being performed. It is not intended to be all-inclusive. 

Caribou Coffee Operating Company, Inc. and its affiliates are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers to all applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on any characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.