Retail Inventory Controller at adidas Group

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organisation 

This role is responsible for maximising the profitability of South Africa Own Retail Operations by consistently providing all inventory related support to the region. Monitoring and maintaining levels of inventory between systems, stores and warehouse is a key responsibility, to enable accuracy and availability of stock thereby influencing consumer experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Run a series of performance and inventory reports on daily, weekly, or monthly basis and perform detailed analysis of store, category and item performance
• Develop accurate, consistent, and enhancements to the inventory reporting structure
• Identify “heavy” and “low” turn inventory items and maintain communication reports for the respective teams
• Stock items and stock revenue to be accurately managed
• Store receiving and shipping of inventory into and out of the company’s warehouse including EOS transfers and inter branch transfers
• Planning, Organising and Lead stock takes and cycle counts as per Retail plan
• Driving the stock audit process from planning to execution in tandem with audit and controlling department
• Perform inventory adjustments (quantity and price variance analysis) that effects shrinkage
• Diligent investigations required to solve problems in the systems
• Maintenance and accountability of high levels of customer service (internal and external)
• Timeous capture of promotions and ensure testing at store level
• Results of investigations and enormities in reference to possible loss prevention issues to reported directly to Sr. Manager Retail Operations South Africa
• Collate and communicate store feedback to merchandise team

KPI’s

• Net sales
• NPS
• Profitability
• Conversion
• Stock turn and cover
• Shrinkage levels
• PRP Internal controls Audit Results ( relevant sections) 75%
• Investigations closed within 48 hours

Key Relationships

• Retail back office team
• Retail field team and store management
• Finance team
• Profit Protection & Internal control
• Supply Chain

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• High degree of analytical, planning and organising skills
• Ability to influence without authority
• Advanced user of MS Office suite of products
• Excellent Coordination and relationship building capability
• High level of attention to detail
• Good communication skills: written, oral and presentation

Requisite Education And Experience / Minimum Qualifications

• University Degree subject or relevant to industry experience
• >2 years of relevant functional experience, with direct Retail experience and exposure to retail coordination and inventory management, ideally in sporting goods, fashion or other youth culture brands
• Merchandise & Store planning experience preferred
• Understanding of Finance and Control