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

Cephas Consultancy Services Private Limited

United States, Georgia, Atlanta

On-site · Full-time

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

Location: Atlanta, GA (5 days onsite)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead strategic Inventory Planning & Replenishment (IP&R) programs within a leading retail and supply chain organization. This role involves managing complex, cross-functional initiatives focused on inventory optimization, demand forecasting, replenishment, supply chain planning, and business process transformation. The Program Manager will oversee interconnected workstreams, align business and technology teams, manage program risks and dependencies, and ensure successful delivery of key business outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have strong supply chain domain expertise and 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 end-to-end supply chain and Inventory Planning & Replenishment (IP&R) programs, from strategy and initiation through implementation, stabilization, and benefits realization.
  • Own program objectives, roadmaps, governance, milestones, dependencies, risks, and delivery outcomes across multiple workstreams.
  • Lead cross-functional teams across 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 projects and workstreams, proactively identifying and resolving issues that could affect program objectives.
  • Improve inventory planning processes, replenishment strategies, ordering parameters, safety stock, inventory policies, item/location setup, and planning processes.
  • Lead the requirements, solution design, development, testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), deployment, and post-go-live stabilization lifecycle.
  • Establish and monitor program Key Performance Indicators (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.
  • Manage program risks, issues, assumptions, dependencies, and resource constraints, escalating to senior leadership as appropriate.
  • Drive organizational change management, business readiness, training, and adoption of new processes and technology capabilities.
  • Collaborate 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 supply chain transformation goals.
  • Manage external vendors, implementation partners, and technology providers, where applicable.
  • Transition program capabilities into business-as-usual (BAU) operations and track expected business benefits.

Required Qualifications

  • 10+ years of experience in Program Management, Supply Chain Transformation, or related roles, including 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, User Acceptance 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