Senior Inventory Analyst

Job Title: Senior Inventory Analyst Experience Level: 3–6 Years Department: Client Experience Location: Chennai, India Shift: 2nd Shift – 2:30PM IST to 11:30PM IST Role Overview The Senior Inventory Analyst will play a critical role in managing and optimizing inventory for high-volume print and mail operations within an offshore delivery model. This role goes beyond transactional inventory management, focusing on advanced analytics, demand planning, process optimization, and stakeholder management. The individual will ensure seamless material availability (paper, envelopes, inserts, ink/toner, and mailing supplies) to support strict production SLAs while minimizing costs, waste, and operational risks.

Key Responsibilities · Inventory Management: o Oversee and manage inventory for Client ordered items and Customer Supplied stock items used across production sites. o Ensure inventory levels consistently meet operational requirements and ensure there is adequate material on hand for fulfilling client Service Level Agreements (SLAs). o Run inventory reports daily, weekly, or as business demands dictate, monitor inventory levels and alert prompt communication with CX and Procurement on next steps. o Generate inventory reports and email to clients, as required. o Facilitate Material Disposition & Stock Order based on requests. · Order Management: o Facilitate reorders and new orders of custom materials. o Work with Procurement and CX to request quote request and sample of order. o Complete billing information for billing charges for custom inventory orders. · Forecasting and Analytical Planning: o Utilize usage analysis tools and various internal systems to forecast client custom material requirements. o Determine reorder points and adjust custom orders based on client projections and historical data. o Apply advanced Excel skills to analyze and manipulate data for inventory planning. Production & Capacity Alignment · Collaborate with print and mail production teams to align inventory with production schedules and capacity plans · Ensure material readiness for high-volume print runs and mailing cycles · Proactively identify risks that could impact SLA adherence and mitigate them Inventory Audits & Governance · Lead cycle counts and physical inventory audits across locations · Establish and enforce inventory control policies and SOPs · Conduct root cause analysis for discrepancies and implement corrective actions · Ensure compliance with audit standards, data security, and regulatory requirements (especially for sensitive mail handling) Demand Planning & Forecasting · Own or support demand forecasting models based on historical print/mail volumes and client requirements · Collaborate with procurement and planning teams to ensure timely replenishment · Define and maintain safety stock levels and reorder parameters for critical materials Stakeholder & Vendor Management · Act as a key point of contact for onshore stakeholders, ensuring alignment on inventory planning and reporting · Coordinate with vendors and suppliers for timely delivery and issue resolution · Manage escalations related to inventory shortages, delays, or quality issues Process Improvement & Automation · Identify inefficiencies and lead continuous improvement initiatives in inventory processes · Drive automation of reporting and inventory tracking using tools like Excel, Power BI, or scripting · Support system enhancements and ERP/WMS optimization Team Support & Mentorship · Guide and mentor junior analysts on inventory processes, reporting, and analysis · Review team outputs to ensure accuracy and consistency · Support knowledge sharing and capability building within the offshore team Required Qualifications · Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Commerce, or related field · 3–6 years of experience in inventory management, preferably in print and mail operations · Strong expertise in Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, Pivot Tables, data modeling) · Hands-on experience with ERP/WMS systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or similar) · Solid understanding of inventory planning, forecasting, and optimization techniques Preferred Qualifications · Experience in print and mail industry or high-volume, SLA-driven production environments · Proficiency in data visualization tools (Power BI) · Basic knowledge of SQL, Python, or automation tools · Exposure to offshore/onshore operating models · Certification in Supply Chain (e.g., APICS CPIM) is an advantage Key Skills & Competencies · Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills · Strong attention to detail and data accuracy · Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills · Ability to work in shifts and collaborate across global teams · Leadership and mentoring capability · Process improvement and automation mindset