Inventory Analyst

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Summary: The Inventory Analyst is responsible for managing and optimizing inventory levels across multiple sales channels and regions, including domestic and international markets. This role serves as a key liaison between the U.S. organization and the parent company in Japan, ensuring alignment on inventory planning, product availability, regulatory compliance, and operational execution.

The position requires strong analytical capabilities to evaluate data across systems and stakeholders in order to effectively allocate, move, quarantine, release, and replenish inventory in support of Direct-to-Consumer, Marketplace, and Retail business models. Close coordination with Japan-based teams and cross-functional U.S. departments is essential to support business growth, product launches, and supply chain continuity.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Inventory Planning & Forecasting

• • Determine optimal inventory levels across all fulfillment locations by forecasting demand based on channel velocity, seasonality, and promotional calendars.
  • Prepare monthly product velocity forecasts and develop purchase orders with appropriate lead times for production and delivery.
  • Maintain monthly inventory reconciliation, including COGS validation and reporting alignment.

International Coordination (U.S.-Japan)

• • Create and submit monthly Purchase Order to parent company.

• • Act as a primary point of contact with Japan headquarters (and related teams) for inventory forecasting, product launches, and supply updates.
  • Communicate regularly with Japan to track shipments, manage documentation changes, and ensure alignment on priorities and timelines.
  • Submit required documentation and requests to Japan for product approvals, new launches, and regulatory compliance.

Logistics & Transportation Management

• • Recommend appropriate transportation modes (air, ocean, ground) based on urgency, cost, and inventory requirements.
  • Manage shipping documentation, including BOL, commercial invoices, and specialized certificates (e.g., CITES, BA%).
  • Coordinate with domestic and international freight forwarders and logistics partners to ensure timely delivery.

Inventory Systems & Data Integrity

• • Maintain accurate inventory records across all systems (e.g., WMS), ensuring visibility across all locations and regions.
  • Responsible for uploading PO’s to WMS, as well as any changes or modifications to original data.
  • Monitor and update currency conversion impacts (JPY to USD) where applicable to maintain accurate inventory valuation and reporting.
  • Process internal product requests (e.g., promotional or influencer allocations) and communicate priorities to warehouse teams.

Replenishment & Allocation

• • Monitor inventory levels and initiate transfer requests to ensure proper stock allocation across fulfillment centers, including Marketplace replenishment.
  • Coordinate with warehouse teams to account for receipt timelines, product assembly, and transit lead times.

Regulatory & Product Readiness

• • Oversee product processes to ensure compliance with U.S. and international regulatory standards.

• • Collaborate with U.S. regulatory and Japan-based teams to manage formulation updates, labeling requirements, testing samples, and compliance documentation.

Materials & Reconditioning Supply

• • Work with internal and external teams for procurement of reconditioning materials for the U.S., EU, UK and other applicable regions.
  • Coordinate with internal and external partners on design, production, and delivery of materials aligned with product timelines.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• • Prepare and report monthly forecasts for overstock, obsolete inventory, and potential inventory risks to U.S. leadership
  • Track and report discontinuation product and material inventory in alignment with Japan reporting requirements.
  • Develop discontinuation plans and communicate inventory depletion timelines across stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Communication

• • Partner with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Customer Service teams to align inventory strategies with business objectives.
  • Communicate risks, including potential out-of-stock situations, and coordinate mitigation plans.
  • Provide guidance on timing for product transitions, including packaging changes, reformulations, discontinuations, and new launches.

Continuous Improvement

• • Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance inventory accuracy, operational efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
  • Support standardization of processes between U.S. operations and Japan headquarters where applicable.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Experience in inventory planning, supply chain, or operations
• Advanced Excel skills required
• SQL skills preferred, but not required
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience working with ERP/WMS systems
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across international teams

Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in Supply Chain, Business, or related field
• 3-5+ years of relevant inventory, supply chain, or operations experience
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience will be considered.

Customer Service

Works well with customers (internal/external); promotes a positive image of the company; responds to requests for service and assistance; meets commitments; strives to solve issues raised by customers.

Teamwork

Values the input and know-how of other employees; asks for help, when needed; offers help to other employees, when needed; builds trust and respect among fellow employees; takes actions that demonstrate consideration for the feelings and needs of others; works with other departments toward a common goal.

Adaptability or Flexibility

Open to change and new information; adapts behavior and work methods in response to new information, changing conditions or unexpected obstacles; able to deal with frequent changes, delays, or unexpected events.

Ethics

Upholds DHC’s Code of Conduct; treats coworkers and customers with respect; behaves in a fair and ethical manner towards others; instills mutual trust and confidence; honesty; maintains confidentiality.

Professionalism

Approaches others in a positive manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility for own actions; follows through on commitments.

Communication

Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and obtains clarification; writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; varies writing style to meet needs; able to read and interpret information.

Continual Learning

Grasps the essence of new information; applying newly gained knowledge and skill on the job; recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues self-development; seeks feedback from others and opportunities to master new knowledge.

Interpersonal Skills

Listens to others without interrupting; keeps emotions under control; open to other ideas and willing to try new things; focuses on solving conflict, not blaming.

Diversity

Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.

Safety

Follows safety and security procedures; reports unsafe conditions; uses equipment and materials properly.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. Ability to read, write and speak Japanese preferred but not required.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual must demonstrate proficiency with Office 365 tools, search engines, Company communication tools, and Company WMS systems. Advanced Excel skills are required. SQL skills are preferred.

Physical Demands

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit for up to four hours at a time; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.