At Independent Purchasing Cooperative (IPC), we are more than just a supply chain services provider - we're the strategic sourcing partner behind one of the world’s most recognized brands: Subway®. As a member-owned organization, we are driven by our commitment to serve the franchisees who own and operate Subway® restaurants across North America, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Headquartered in Miami, FL, we were founded in 1996 with a mission to help franchisees be more profitable and competitive by delivering exceptional value through supply chain solutions, contract negotiation, technology initiatives, and industry expertise. At IPC, you'll find a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters personal growth, professional development, and a healthy work-life balance. Whether you're a seasoned supply chain professional or just beginning your career journey, IPC offers opportunities to make a meaningful impact! IPC is seeking a highly motivated Planning & Inventory Analyst to supports core item supply planning and execution through data management, reporting, forecast and inventory analysis, system/tool administration, and cross-functional coordination. The role applies established supply chain methods to maintain accurate planning information, prepare decision-support materials, monitor performance, identify exceptions, and help ensure sufficient inventory of core items. The position also supports continuous improvement by enhancing reports, dashboards, data standards, documentation, testing, and end-user training. The role also supports daily supply assurance by monitoring inventory health across manufacturers and distribution centers, identifying gaps, and providing data-supported recommendations to help protect service and minimize obsolescence.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities The responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities below are required for success in this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities. Promotions and Launch Planning Support
- Support the planning lifecycle for core items, tests, item transitions, and product launches using established processes, calendars, and planning templates.
- Collect and validate inputs from Marketing, Analytics, Operations, Culinary, Sourcing, Logistics, Distribution, and Supply Planning partners, including event timing, item assumptions, forecast inputs, supply milestones, and key decision dates.
- Maintain event, item, and planning information in approved trackers and systems, and help ensure stakeholders have access to current and accurate information.
- Prepare routine launch-readiness and supply-chain update materials, including forecast comparisons, inventory status, milestone tracking, risks, decisions, and follow-up actions.
- Monitor event execution and post-event performance against plan; document variances, root causes, and lessons learned for review by leadership.
- Maintain documentation and records supporting inventory authorizations, forecast revisions, planning decisions, risks, issues, and post-event results.
- Coordinate follow-up on assigned actions and escalate unresolved data, timing, forecast, or supply concerns to the appropriate leader.
Planning, Data, and Analytics
- Maintain core item master data, reporting inputs, KPI definitions, and data-quality checks in accordance with established standards and governance.
- Create and enhance recurring reports, dashboards, and analytical tools for inventory projections, forecast performance, stock parameters, supply exceptions, launch readiness, KPIs, and OKRs.
- Analyze planning data to identify trends, exceptions, and potential data-quality issues; summarize findings and recommend next practical steps within established guidelines.
- Partner with Information Technology and business users to document requirements, validate data sources and calculation rules, test enhancements, and resolve routine reporting or system issues.
- Support scenario analysis by preparing data and comparing defined planning alternatives related to demand, inventory, capacity, timing, or service considerations.
- Produce clear data visualizations using Power BI, Tableau, Excel, or similar tools to support business reviews and root-cause analysis.
Supply and Inventory Support
- Monitor forecast, inventory, and supply indicators for core items on a daily basis by manufacturer and distribution center, using established reports and planning parameters; identify low- or high-stock exceptions and communicate findings to planning partners.
- Support the development and maintenance of item-level inventory build, transition, depletion, and run-out plans based on approved forecasts and supply assumptions.
- Assist with analysis of case pack, shelf life, yield, waste, distribution-center inventory, supplier inventory, and restaurant timing to help reduce excess inventory and service risk.
- Prepare recurring exception and liability reports, support root-cause analysis for potential obsolete or excess inventory, and communicate reoccurring patterns, actionable insights, and recommended follow-up to the broader team.
- Identify supply or inventory gaps and coordinate with suppliers, distribution partners, and internal stakeholders to support timely resolution.
- Develop recommendations for replenishment or re-stocking actions within established planning guidelines, escalating decisions with broader cost, service, or inventory implications.
- Identify and evaluate opportunities to improve internal and external inventory-management processes and recommend enhancements to inventory targets, reporting, and exception management.
- Organize inventory-health findings into concise charts, graphs, tables, and written summaries that leaders can use in decision-making.
- All other duties as reasonably assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Working knowledge of supply chain planning concepts, including demand planning, supply planning, inventory management, promotional planning, and Integrated Business Planning (IBP).
- Ability to analyze moderately complex datasets, reconcile information from multiple sources, identify exceptions, and communicate findings clearly.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, formulas, and data analysis; experience with Power BI, Tableau, MicroStrategy, or similar visualization tools
- Working knowledge of SQL, Power Query, or comparable data-query and transformation tools is preferred.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy, documentation, and process consistency.
- Effective project coordination, organization, and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines.
- Ability to work independently within established practices and seek guidance for non-routine, high-impact, or ambiguous decisions.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills across functional teams, suppliers, and business partners.
- Ability to communicate inventory and supply findings effectively with vendors, manufacturers, distribution partners, and their representatives.
- Ability to explain analytical findings and process requirements in a clear, practical manner to varied audiences.
- Ability to provide practical guidance and training to team members on established reports, tools, and process-improvement changes.
- Adaptability and comfort working in a dynamic environment with changing priorities.
Competencies
- Action Oriented: Approaches assignments and challenges with urgency, energy, and humble professionalism.
- Customer Focus: Builds solutions and relationships that support franchisee and business needs.
- Ensures Accountability: Takes ownership for accurate, timely, and complete work.
- Collaborates: Builds productive partnerships to achieve shared objectives.
- Communicates Effectively: Shares clear, audience-appropriate information and listens actively.
- Decision Quality: Uses available facts and established guidelines to make sound recommendations and timely decisions.
- Plans and Aligns: Organizes work and priorities in support of team and organizational goals.
- Resourceful: Uses available tools, information, and partners effectively.
- Self-Development: Seeks feedback and development opportunities to strengthen capability.
- Tech Savvy: Learns and applies digital tools that improve planning, analysis, and reporting.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Analytics, Information Systems, or a related field required; a master’s degree may substitute for a portion of relevant experience.
- Equitable experience will be considered in lieu of education requirements.
- Approximately 3–5 years of relevant experience in supply chain planning, business analytics, reporting, master data, inventory analysis, promotional planning, or a related area.
- Experience working with large datasets and developing business reports or dashboards.
- Experience supporting cross-functional projects, system enhancements, testing, process documentation, or end-user training.
- Experience in the quick-service restaurant, foodservice, retail, consumer products, or distribution environment preferred.
- Experience with S&OP or Integrated Business Planning processes, promotional events, LTOs, or new product launches preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams; experience with Smartsheet or comparable project-tracking tools preferred.
Leadership Responsibility No
Travel Occasional domestic travel, including overnight travel, may be required. Local travel within driving distance may also be required.
Work Conditions The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly sitting for long periods of time. A detailed description of these physical requirements is available upon request. Compliant with the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Should an accommodation be needed, please reach out to the People Operations team at peopleoperations@ipcoop.com.
This is a full-time position. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Additional hours, including occasional weekend work, may be required to complete job responsibilities.
Independent Purchasing Cooperative (IPC) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws
Disclaimer The above job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Team Members may be required to perform other duties as requested by their leader(s) in compliance with applicable law.
