Planner and Inventory Manager

Company Description

With over a century of experience, The Toro Company is a global leader in innovative solutions for the outdoor environment. Our wide product offering includes turf and landscape maintenance, snow and ice management, underground utility construction, rental, specialty construction, irrigation, and outdoor lighting solutions. Operating in over 125 countries, our products serve a diverse range of industries, including golf courses, professional contractors, government institutions, homeowners, and renowned sports venues worldwide. We are committed to building quality products and forging meaningful relationships with our customers and partners.

Role Purpose

The Planner & Inventory Manager is responsible for end-to-end planning and inventory optimization , ensuring product availability, production feasibility, and inventory health while balancing service level, cost, and working capital objectives.

This role combines demand and supply planning with operational inventory management , acting as a key interface between commercial demand and operational execution.

Key Responsibilities

Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and maintain production and supply plans aligned with demand forecasts, capacity constraints, and material availability
• Translate sales forecasts and customer requirements into feasible production and replenishment plans
• Manage short-, mid-, and long-term planning horizons (daily/weekly/monthly)
• Monitor plan adherence and proactively manage deviations (capacity, materials, priorities)

Inventory Management

• Own inventory targets and policies (safety stock, reorder points, min/max levels)
• Help Optimizing inventory across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods
• Balance service level objectives with working capital and obsolescence risk
• Perform regular inventory analysis (slow movers, excess, obsolete stock) and propose corrective actions
• Manage WH resources in Italy

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Act as a key interface between Sales, Operations, Procurement, and Finance
• Support S&OP processes with accurate data, scenarios, and recommendations
• Align priorities in case of constraints, shortages, or demand volatility

Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Define and track KPIs such as:
• Service level
• Inventory turns & days of inventory
• Plan adherence
• Forecast accuracy (where applicable)
• Prepare clear reports and dashboards for management review

Systems & Process Improvement

• Ensure data accuracy and discipline in planning systems (SAP)
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in planning logic, inventory rules, and processes
• Support digitalization and advanced planning tools where applicable

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Industrial Economics , or equivalent

Experience

• 5–10+ years of experience in planning and/or inventory management roles
• Strong exposure to manufacturing or industrial environments
• Proven experience managing complex SKUs, variable demand, and capacity constraints

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of:
• Production planning & scheduling principles
• Inventory management methodologies
• MRP / ERP logic
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with BI tools is a plus
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems (SAP preferred)

Key Competencies & Soft Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Structured, process-oriented approach
• Ability to manage trade-offs under pressure
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Data-driven, pragmatic, and results-oriented
• Comfortable operating in dynamic, fast-changing environments