Inventory Planner/ Analyst

It's fun to work in a company where people truly believe in what they are doing! Overview At Neogen, we partner with our customers to protect and enhance the world's level of food and animal safety. The Inventory Planner/Analyst supports Neogen's enterprise inventory strategy by turning inventory data into clear visibility, actionable insights, and disciplined execution across Supply Planning, Demand Planning, Operations, and Commercial teams. This role helps identify and reduce risks tied to aging, expiring, slow-moving, excess, and obsolete inventory while supporting service levels, working capital goals, and continuous improvement. Key Responsibilities Inventory Analytics, Reporting & Decision Support Build, maintain, and improve inventory dashboards, KPIs, and recurring reports that provide visibility to inventory risks, trends, performance, and opportunities. Monitor on-hand inventory by age, shelf life, expiration risk, movement, location, and product category to support timely decision-making. Analyze inventory data and translate findings into clear insights, recommendations, and action plans for planning, operations, commercial, and leadership audiences. Prepare materials and analysis for inventory reviews, business discussions, and governance forums. Support measurement of key inventory metrics, such as inventory turns, days of supply, service risk, aging inventory, excess and obsolete inventory, scrap, and write-offs. Risk Monitoring & Excess/Obsolescence Prevention Identify emerging risks related to expiring, obsolete, slow-moving, or excess materials and escalate concerns in alignment with defined processes and thresholds. Support root-cause analysis for write-offs, scrap, excess, and inventory imbalances; help identify corrective actions and monitor progress through completion. Partner with cross-functional teams to recommend actions such as depletion plans, demand-shaping opportunities, production adjustments, inventory transfers, or disposition decisions. Help strengthen early-warning processes to reduce avoidable scrap, obsolescence, and working capital exposure. Planning Support & Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with Supply Planning, Demand Planning, Operations, Commercial, Quality, and Finance teams to align inventory plans with forecast, production, customer demand, and business priorities. Analyze historical demand patterns, demand variability, forecast accuracy, and inventory consumption to support planning recommendations. Recommend updates to safety stock, reorder points, replenishment parameters, and inventory policies based on data, business needs, and planning guidelines. Reconcile future supply commitments, production plans, and projected demand against on-hand inventory to help anticipate shortages, surpluses, and service risks. Communicate findings clearly and professionally, using data to support alignment and action across teams. Data & Process Discipline Maintain and validate inventory data, item-master parameters, planning settings, and related inputs within ERP and planning systems. Support standardized inventory processes, controls, and governance practices established by Inventory Management leadership. Identify opportunities to improve reporting tools, workflows, data quality, and planning processes. Document recurring analyses, reporting logic, and process steps to support consistency, training, and continuity. Contribute to a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement consistent with Neogen's mission and values. Essential Requirements Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Finance, Data Analytics, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and practical experience. Typically 3-5 or more years of experience in inventory planning, supply planning, demand planning, materials management, inventory analytics, or a related supply chain role. Strong analytical skills with the ability to work with large data sets, identify trends, evaluate root causes, and convert findings into practical recommendations. Hands-on experience developing, maintaining, or improving dashboards, reports, KPIs, and data tools using applications such as Microsoft Excel and Power BI, or similar reporting platforms. Experience working with ERP, MRP, or planning systems such as SAP, Oracle, or comparable systems. Working knowledge of inventory management concepts, including safety stock, reorder points, min/max planning, ABC analysis, days of supply, shelf-life/expiration management, inventory turns, cycle stock, and excess and obsolete inventory reduction. Ability to interpret demand, supply, production, and inventory data to identify potential shortages, surpluses, aging inventory, and service risks. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage recurring reporting, ad hoc analysis, and follow-up actions in a timely manner. Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain data-driven insights to cross-functional stakeholders. Ability to collaborate with colleagues across functions, levels, and locations in a professional, inclusive, and solution-oriented manner. Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel, including functions such as lookups, pivot tables, formulas, and data validation. Ability to work in accordance with applicable company policies, quality expectations, and data integrity standards. Desirable Requirements Experience in a manufacturing, life sciences, food safety, animal health, diagnostics, chemical, or other regulated or quality-focused environment. Experience supporting multi-site inventory planning, distribution, or production environments. Advanced Excel skills, Power BI development experience, or experience with other visualization, automation, or analytics tools. Familiarity with SQL, database concepts, or data modeling. Experience with shelf-life-sensitive, lot-controlled, batch-controlled, or expiration-managed inventory. Experience supporting Sales and Operations Planning, Integrated Business Planning, or structured inventory review processes. APICS/ASCM certification, such as CPIM or CSCP. Continuous improvement experience, such as Lean, Six Sigma, process mapping, or similar methodologies. What We Offer The opportunity to contribute to Neogen's mission of protecting the world's food supply and supporting animal and public health. A collaborative, purpose-driven environment where data, continuous improvement, and cross-functional partnership are valued. Opportunities to build broad supply chain experience across planning, operations, commercial, quality, and finance processes. Support for professional growth, skill development, and ongoing learning. A workplace committed to equal employment opportunity, inclusion, and respect for all team members. Come Be Part Of A Mission that Matters! From inside the farm gate to our dinner plates, Neogen protects the world’s food supply. Through a variety of animal healthcare products, to food safety solutions for dangerous bacteria, allergens, toxins, drug residues and much more, Neogen is there — and you can be too.