Inventory Manager

About the position

The Digital Inventory Manager at NBCUniversal is responsible for overseeing a team of Analysts who manage digital advertising inventory across various platforms. This role is crucial in ensuring that inventory forecasts are accurate and that the sales teams have the necessary information to optimize ad placements. The manager will collaborate with multiple departments to enhance inventory management processes and tools, ensuring efficient use of resources and strategic decision-making in a fast-paced digital media environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of Inventory Analysts that oversees the day-to-day inventory requests.
• Evaluate the performance of Analysts and help improve and develop their confidence and skills.
• Coordinate and profitably allocate digital advertising inventory across NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations Digital sites, NBC Sports, Peacock, and more.
• Oversee and manage inventory reporting, capacity, and forecast tools to ensure data is clear, accurate, timely, and useful for key stakeholders.
• Provide strategic oversight of inventory and work closely with sales in providing analytical support to utilize inventory efficiently.
• Leverage diverse sales channels to evaluate opportunities, assess risk, and inform strategic decisions.
• Partner with Digital Campaign Managers, Ad Operations, Research, Tech Solutions, and the Ad Sales Analytics/Automations Manager to evaluate and implement any/all new inventory management tools and systems.
• Forecast, monitor, and recommend appropriate inventory levels for areas where inventory cannot be reliably predicted.
• Collaborate with Ad Solutions in the oversight of digital ad product catalogue, recommending changes/updates and creating new ad products in response to market demand.
• Work with Ad Solutions team to identify ad network discrepancies with inventory reporting.
• Handle escalations related to inventory utilization with the Analysts, Digital Campaign Managers, and Sales Account Executives when necessary.
• Develop and maintain inventory documentation and assist with various projects/reports and assignments as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in online media (3+ years) with specific experience in inventory, planning, operations, and people management.
• Knowledge of financial and operational principles specifically related to digital ad sales.
• Knowledge of ad-serving systems (Freewheel, Google Ad Manager, Operative One or other OMS).
• Proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• High proficiency in advanced Excel functionality (pivot tables, vlookups, formulas, macros, etc.).

Nice-to-haves

• Prior experience in Inventory, Sales Planning or Sales Operations.
• Ability to communicate information at the appropriate level to salespeople, middle, and senior management.
• Ability to help Team resolve conflicts by creating a positive, inclusive, and safe environment.
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills with ability to perform independently and proactively while working in a team environment.
• Demonstrated success working on developing business initiatives or emerging departments.
• Strong computer skills especially in Excel, Power Point, and Word.
• Ad Serving software and tracking knowledge such as Freewheel and Google Ad Manager.
• Knowledge of management tools such as Monday.com is a plus.
• Able to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Attraction to continuous change and a demonstrated ability to thrive in a continuously changing environment.
• Well-organized and strong attention to detail.
• Self-motivation and resourcefulness.
• Fluency in the language of digital media and online measurement: Impressions, CTR, CPMs, eCPMs, uniques, pageviews, visits, viewability, etc. preferred.
• Basic sports knowledge is a plus!

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance