Program Manager - Inventory Planning & Replenishment (IP&R)

Title:  Program Manager - Inventory Planning & Replenishment (IP&R)

Contract: Ongoing contract

Location: Atlanta, GA (5 Days Onsite)

Description :-
We are looking for an experienced Program Manager to lead strategic Inventory Planning & Replenishment (IP&R) programs for a leading retail and supply chain organization.

This role will be responsible for managing complex, cross-functional programs focused on inventory optimization, demand forecasting, replenishment, supply chain planning, and business process transformation. The Program Manager will oversee multiple interconnected workstreams, align business and technology teams, manage program-level risks and dependencies, and ensure successful delivery of business outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have strong Supply Chain domain expertise, with hands-on understanding of Inventory Planning & Replenishment (IP&R), Demand Forecasting, Inventory Optimization, and Supply Chain Planning processes. Experience working across retail, distribution, manufacturing, or other complex supply chain environments is highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end-to-end Supply Chain and Inventory Planning & Replenishment programs, from strategy and initiation through implementation, stabilization, and benefits realization.
• Own program objectives, roadmap, governance, milestones, dependencies, risks, and overall delivery outcomes across multiple workstreams.
• Lead cross-functional teams spanning Supply Chain, Inventory Planning, Merchandising, Procurement, Operations, IT, Data, and Business stakeholders.
• Drive programs focused on inventory optimization, demand forecasting, replenishment, service-level improvement, inventory availability, and supply chain transformation.
• Translate business strategy and supply chain objectives into actionable program roadmaps, priorities, and execution plans.
• Partner with business leaders and technology teams to define program scope, requirements, solution priorities, success metrics, and implementation strategies.
• Manage interdependencies across multiple projects and workstreams, proactively identifying and resolving issues that may impact program objectives.
• Drive improvements to inventory planning processes, replenishment strategies, ordering parameters, safety stock, inventory policies, item/location setup, and planning processes.
• Provide leadership throughout the requirements, solution design, development, testing, UAT, deployment, and post-go-live stabilization lifecycle.
• Establish and monitor program KPIs and business outcomes, including forecast accuracy, service levels, inventory turns, stock availability, inventory levels, replenishment performance, and working capital.
• Lead program governance, steering committee meetings, executive reviews, status reporting, and stakeholder communications.
• Proactively manage program risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies, and resource constraints, escalating appropriately to senior leadership.
• Drive organizational change management, business readiness, training, and adoption of new processes and technology capabilities.
• Work closely with Supply Chain leadership to identify opportunities for process standardization, automation, optimization, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure program deliverables align with business objectives, operational requirements, technology strategy, and overall supply chain transformation goals.
• Manage external vendors, implementation partners, and technology providers where applicable.
• Ensure successful transition of program capabilities into business-as-usual operations and track realization of expected business benefits.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Program Management, Supply Chain Transformation, or related roles, with significant experience managing complex Supply Chain initiatives.
• Strong Supply Chain domain expertise, particularly in Inventory Planning & Replenishment (IP&R).
• Hands-on understanding of inventory planning, replenishment, demand forecasting, inventory optimization, safety stock, service levels, and supply chain planning processes.
• Proven experience leading large, complex programs involving multiple projects, workstreams, business functions, and technology teams.
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders across Supply Chain, Inventory Planning, Merchandising, Procurement, Operations, IT, Data, and Business leadership.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end supply chain planning and inventory management processes within retail, distribution, manufacturing, or similar environments.
• Proven ability to manage program roadmaps, governance, budgets, risks, dependencies, resources, and executive stakeholder communications.
• Experience leading Supply Chain Planning or IP&R system implementations, transformations, or major enhancements.
• Experience managing the full implementation lifecycle, including requirements, solution design, testing, UAT, deployment, change management, and post-go-live stabilization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex supply chain challenges into actionable solutions.
• Excellent executive communication, leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid program delivery environments.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with one or more enterprise Supply Chain Planning, Inventory Planning, or Replenishment platforms, including:

• RELEX
• Blue Yonder (JDA)
• SAP IBP / SAP APO
• Kinaxis
• o9 Solutions
• Manhattan Planning Solutions
• Oracle Retail Planning
• Logility
• Other enterprise Inventory Planning, Replenishment, Demand Planning, or Supply Chain Planning solutions.