Job Title: Senior Manager, VMI (Vendor Managed Inventory)
Location: Remote (U.S. based only)
Employment Type: Full-time
About Us:
Alliance Home Entertainment is a newly formed division of Alliance Entertainment, created to centralize and elevate film and television distribution. By merging the strengths of Mill Creek Entertainment and Distribution Solutions, this division delivers a best-in-class platform for both physical and digital media distribution. Led by a veteran leadership team, Alliance Home Entertainment focuses on premium formats such as 4K UHD, SteelBook®, and collector editions, serving major and leading independent studios, retailers, and fans. The division offers end-to-end services including licensing, post-production, creative, marketing, and omnichannel distribution—positioning Alliance as a leader in the evolving home entertainment landscape.
Role Overview
The Senior Manager of VMI is a senior-level role responsible for leading Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) execution and capability development across a portfolio of major big-box retail partners. This role sits at the intersection of inventory strategy, replenishment execution, process design, and performance management, with accountability for delivering strong in-stock performance, disciplined inventory positions, and scalable VMI operations.
This position places early emphasis on process development, optimization, and tool implementation, translating strategic direction from the Senior Director of VMI into standardized, repeatable execution across accounts. The role combines hands-on VMI leadership with oversight of replenishment workflows, planning methodologies, and performance management, while partnering closely with Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, and Technology teams.
Key Responsibilities
VMI Strategy, Process & Capability Development
- Lead the development, enhancement, and standardization of VMI processes across replenishment, initial placement, promotions, and lifecycle management.
- Translate VMI strategy and priorities into executable workflows, tools, and operating rhythms.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on scalability, efficiency, data quality, and service performance.
- Partner with Technology and Analytics teams to define requirements and support implementation of VMI tools, reporting, and system enhancements.
- Own VMI-related projects and initiatives from concept through execution, ensuring alignment with broader supply chain and commercial objectives.
Initial Placement, Allocation & New Item Execution
- Oversee initial placement and allocation strategies for new item launches, promotions, and resets across retail partners.
- Ensure placement methodologies are aligned to forecasts, modular plans, store coverage, and inventory investment targets.
- Partner with Sales, Space Planning, and Operations to ensure disciplined execution of launches and promotional events.
VMI Replenishment Oversight & Execution
- Provide leadership and direction for Vendor Managed Inventory replenishment across new releases, promotional activity, active catalog items, and lifecycle transitions.
- Ensure replenishment strategies balance service performance, inventory productivity, and supply constraints.
- Establish guardrails, exception management processes, and escalation paths for replenishment execution.
- Review and guide order cadence, adjustments, and replenishment decisions to ensure consistent, high-quality execution.
Inventory Performance Management
- Own inventory performance outcomes across assigned accounts, including in-stock %, service level, inventory turns, and weeks of supply.
- Lead analysis of performance trends, risks, and opportunities, translating insights into corrective actions and process improvements.
- Guide root cause analysis for service gaps, overstocks, and execution breakdowns, ensuring accountability and follow-through.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
- Act as the primary VMI partner to Sales leadership, aligning inventory execution with category strategies, promotions, and customer priorities.
- Partner with Supply Chain and Operations teams to ensure end-to-end execution from order creation through delivery.
- Collaborate with Master Data, IT, and Planning teams to ensure system readiness, data integrity, and scalable VMI operations.
- Represent VMI in internal and external forums related to inventory performance, service levels, and operational initiatives.
Planning Tools, Data & Analytics
- Oversee the development and evolution of planning tools, models, and dashboards supporting VMI decision-making.
- Ensure consistent KPI definitions, reporting cadence, and performance visibility across accounts.
- Leverage data and analytics to inform strategy, prioritize initiatives, and drive continuous improvement.
Qualifications & Experience
- 8–12 years of experience in Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), replenishment, inventory management, supply chain, or retail planning roles.
- Proven experience supporting multiple big-box retail partners or complex retail environments.
- Strong understanding of retail inventory economics, replenishment strategies, and item lifecycle management.
- Demonstrated experience leading process improvement initiatives and cross-functional projects.
- Advanced analytical skills; experience with Excel-based models, planning tools, and performance reporting.
Skills & Competencies
- Strategic and execution-oriented: Able to translate strategy into scalable, repeatable execution.
- Process leader: Skilled at designing, optimizing, and governing complex operational workflows.
- Analytical and data-driven: Uses data to drive decisions, prioritize initiatives, and measure success.
- Cross-functional leader: Influences outcomes across Sales, Supply Chain, Operations, and Technology.
- Change agent: Comfortable leading through ambiguity and driving adoption of new tools and processes.
- Clear communicator: Communicates complex inventory concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Why This Role Matters
The Senior Manager of VMI is critical to building a scalable, high-performing VMI capability that supports growth across multiple retail partners. This role directly impacts sales, service levels, and working capital by ensuring disciplined inventory execution, strong operational processes, and continuous improvement across the VMI organization.
What We Offer
- A high-visibility role within a globally recognized company.
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- Opportunities to lead transformative projects and shape the future of supply chain operations.
- A collaborative and dynamic work environment that values innovation and excellence.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Remote
