Matthew Blakely
Wilmington,DE
Summary
Dynamic Inventory Planner skilled in demand forecasting and warehouse management. Successfully implemented cost reduction strategies and compliance initiatives, driving alignment between inventory strategies and sales goals to enhance organizational efficiency.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales & Operations Sr. Inventory Planner
Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits
New Castle DE
01.2024 - 03.2026
- Analyzed inventory levels to optimize stock availability and reduce excess.
- Developed and implemented forecasting models to enhance demand planning accuracy.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align inventory strategies with sales goals.
- Monitored key performance indicators to evaluate inventory effectiveness and drive decisions.
- Managed high-value product lines, ensuring optimal allocation of resources and successful fulfillment of customer orders.
- Reviewed historical sales data and market conditions periodically for better-informed decision-making on future inventory needs.
- Monitored industry trends and competitor strategies to stay ahead of the curve in inventory planning, ensuring consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.
Sales & Operation Inventory Planner
Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits
New Castle DE
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Analyzed inventory levels to optimize stock availability and minimize excess.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to forecast demand and adjust supply plans.
- Streamlined order processing through effective use of inventory management software.
- Developed and maintained accurate inventory reports for strategic decision-making.
Reverse Logistics Manager
Pep Boys
Philadelphia, PA
09.2016 - 01.2022
- Created return to vendor processing for overstock, defects and core for 650 stores and 7 distribution centers.
- Processed chargebacks, credits or returns for products found to be defective on vendors behalf.
- Identified disposition for all product to determine if it can be returned to stock, repaired, sold as clearance, order parts as needed or disposed of. That was scanned through the Genco System.
Inventory Planning/Promotions Manager
Pep Boys
Philadelphia, PA
02.2015 - 01.2019
- Collaborate with the Merchandising group, Supply Chain Replenishment Managers, Transportation, Distribution, Category Managers to determine, plan and execute quarterly promotional strategy generating an average of $65 million in sales per quarter.
- Utilized E3/JDA Demand Planning software to develop and establish inventory replenishment plans across 7 Distribution Centers and 5 Cross Docking locations to optimize inventory investments and service levels across multiple product lines.
- Created statistical demand forecast based on market trends, historical depletions, seasonality and product mix to identify and correct exceptions that impact accuracy.
- Analyze needs and impacts to the Supply Chain. Identify and present action plans regarding items underperforming departmental service goals. Develop strategy to monitor and move excess inventory after promotional period expires.
- Manage and review 12 month category and class seasonal financial plans at the month and week level by analyzing historical, seasonal, and current trends. Reviewing inputs from the category management process, producing exception reports related to sales, margin and inventory productuivity.
Vendor Compliance Manager
Pep Boys
Philadelphia, PA
05.2011 - 02.2014
- Managed vendor relationships, ensuring compliance with company standards and procedures.Coordinated inventory management to optimize stock levels and reduce shortages.
- Developed training programs for new vendors, enhancing onboarding efficiency and knowledge retention.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined procurement operations and increased turnaround time.
Category Manager
Pep Boys
Philadelphia, PA
05.2009 - 01.2011
- Developed and executed category strategies to optimize product assortment and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor activities to inform strategic decision-making for product positioning.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on promotional strategies and inventory management.
- Managed supplier relationships, negotiating terms to improve cost efficiency and product availability.
Distribution/Materials Manager
Emile Henry USA Distribution
New Castle, DE
04.1999 - 03.2002
- Managed all warehouse distribution and materials for a 65K square foot facility. With 3 supervisors and 55 associates for high end cookware products.
- Create policies and procedures to ensure a continuous improvement environment measured by key performance indicators including labor and productivity metrics.
- Drive cost savings for fulfillment division each year by streamlining order selection processes, driving inventory control, managing P&L, ensuring strict scheduling practices and negotiating carrier, equipment and maintenance contracts. Maintaining employee training and safety protocols.
- Developed and implemented operation improvements, such as redesigning warehouse layout for order selection and putting in a foam in place packaging system that increased customer satisfaction and enhanced profitability without increasing warehouse expense.
Dock Shift Operations Manager
Yellow Freight
Bensalem, PA
04.1997 - 03.1999
- Coordinated duties of operations personnel involved in transportation of freight by motor carrier system. managed 1 million pounds of freight per week. While constructing cost effective routes.
- Directed and coordinated 60 union employees engaged in loading and unloading 40 to 60 pedal runs daily, recording, arranging and delivering inbound and out bound freight shipments.
- Aligned work schedules for driver/dock activities with freight flow and maintain inventory integrity.
- Coordinated activities of operations to obtain optimal use of equipment, facilities and personnel.
Education
Business Management
Delaware Technical Community College
DESkills
- Inventory optimization
- Warehouse management
- Supplier negotiation
- Demand forecasting
- Category Management
- Sales and Operation Management
- Compliance
- Reverse Logistics
- Purchasing management
- Budgeting and financial planning
- Cost reduction strategies
- Inventory management systems
Timeline
Sales & Operations Sr. Inventory Planner
Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits
01.2024 - 03.2026
Sales & Operation Inventory Planner
Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits
01.2022 - 01.2024
Reverse Logistics Manager
Pep Boys
09.2016 - 01.2022
Inventory Planning/Promotions Manager
Pep Boys
02.2015 - 01.2019
Vendor Compliance Manager
Pep Boys
05.2011 - 02.2014
Category Manager
Pep Boys
05.2009 - 01.2011
Distribution/Materials Manager
Emile Henry USA Distribution
04.1999 - 03.2002
Dock Shift Operations Manager
Yellow Freight
04.1997 - 03.1999
Business Management
Delaware Technical Community College