Allocation Analyst

About the position

At Barnes & Noble Education ('BNED') we are dedicated to making tomorrow a better, more inclusive, and smarter world by servicing all who work in education. As a leading solutions provider for the education industry, we are committed to driving affordability, accessibility, and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide by ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Together, our teams work to elevate lives through education. We are seeking a strategic and detailed oriented Allocation Analyst to join our fast-paced and dynamic team! The Allocation Analyst plays a key role in developing, managing, and executing allocation and replenishment strategies to optimize inventory at the product, category, and item levels. This position supports financial goals and product strategies by analyzing sales trends, monitoring inventory levels, and providing actionable insights throughout the product lifecycle. The Allocation Analyst collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, delivering data-driven recommendations to ensure the right products are in the right locations at the right time.

Responsibilities

• Run replenishment per business rules by synthesizing large data sets to determine the optimal method at the category and item levels, using demand forecasts to guide SKU and location-specific decisions.
• Maintain store models by style, color, and size for current season items, and manage the transition of items between replenishment statuses as they move through their product lifecycle.
• Analyze class and product group performance at each store by considering sales curves and stock levels, and customize size profiles to meet each store's unique needs.
• Evaluate seasonal and core replenishment trends to create precise size curves for merchandise planning.
• Monitor in-stock positions for company-defined basic items by developing detailed stock models and regularly communicate reorder needs to the Planning and Merchandising teams.
• Develop allocation strategies that optimize inventory flow during peak periods while accounting for unique store events, space constraints, and other factors.
• Identify and escalate inventory issues promptly to management.
• Collaborate with the Merchandising and Planning teams to form store groups for test buys and analyze the resulting data.
• Communicate with stores to review, analyze, and address product requests, ensuring they maximize their business performance.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in a fashion retail or SKU-intensive business preferred
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel with the ability to quickly learn new technical applications
• Strong attention to detail and ability to collaborate effectively across teams
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to manage multiple priorities efficiently

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• 401k match
• Life insurance
• Commuter benefits
• Paid time off with paid holidays
• Broad range of other benefits