Replenishment managers are professionals who help to determine what products their companies will make available at various times along with the amounts of different items to be sold. These individuals need to be detail-oriented and have strong analytical and mathematical skills. Companies usually look for replenishment managers who have completed at least four-year bachelor’s degrees in areas such as business administration. A replenishment manager essentially decides what inventory should be present at a company and confirms the efficiency of supply chain methods. This type of person keeps his understanding of industry principles sharp and trains other individuals in the field as well.
A replenishment manager has the duty of determining how many goods a company will need to make available for purchase to meet its financial goals. This type of individual develops forecasts regarding which types of products should be transported to different stores and the amounts necessary to achieve desired revenue amounts while not wasting company resources. He or she must take into consideration the demand for certain products during various seasons of the year and in different market areas when making inventory decisions.
Leaders in this career area also strive to make sure that supply chain procedures are efficient. A replenishment manager searches for opportunities to enhance the process by which raw goods are transformed into products and then delivered to store shelves for end users to buy. He or she attempts to make sure that company procedures remain efficient — a process known as lean manufacturing — while still ensuring that generated items are high in quality and look presentable to consumers.
Keeping his or her knowledge of this field up-to-date additionally constitutes a valuable task in this field. A person who plans to become a replenishment manager should enjoy learning, as he or she often must attend industry training sessions and college-level courses to sharpen his or her skills in this career area. Gaining certification in the use of software used to complete forecasting activities also helps a replenishment manager to continue to be attractive to companies and to remain current.
Teaching ability is a requirement to thrive in this industry. Managers in the field usually must guide replenishment analysts, suppliers, and other business partners on their companies’ processes for managing inventory to ensure seamless operations. They also coach marketing professionals on organizational supply procedures so that they are aware of when different goods will be ready for sale to the public.
