Allocation Manager

We're Hiring: Allocation Manager

Location: United Arab Emirates (Remote)Employment Type: Full-TimeExperience Level: Mid-Level to SeniorWork Arrangement: Fully RemoteAbout UsWe are a globally focused organization committed to optimizing inventory, product availability, resource utilization, and operational performance across diverse markets.Our teams collaborate across Supply Chain, Merchandising, Planning, Procurement, Warehousing, Logistics, Sales, Finance, Operations, and Technology to ensure the right products, inventory, and resources are allocated efficiently to the right locations, channels, and customers.The RoleWe are seeking an experienced Allocation Manager to lead allocation strategy, inventory distribution, replenishment coordination, demand balancing, and resource optimization across markets, locations, channels, and product categories.The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical and commercial capabilities with operational expertise to ensure inventory is positioned effectively, customer demand is supported, stock availability is optimized, and excess inventory and shortages are minimized.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and implement allocation strategies aligned with demand, inventory, sales, and business objectives.Manage allocation of products, inventory, materials, or resources across stores, warehouses, markets, channels, and customer segments.Analyze demand forecasts, sales trends, inventory positions, seasonality, promotions, and market conditions.Determine appropriate inventory quantities and allocation priorities based on demand and availability.Balance inventory across locations to improve availability and reduce overstock and stockouts.Establish allocation rules, thresholds, priorities, and replenishment parameters.Coordinate initial product allocations for new product launches, seasonal collections, campaigns, and major business initiatives.Manage ongoing replenishment allocations based on sales performance, inventory levels, lead times, and changing demand.Monitor stock availability and identify locations or channels requiring immediate inventory intervention.Develop allocation plans for constrained, high-demand, seasonal, promotional, or limited-availability products.Establish fair and commercially appropriate allocation approaches when supply is constrained.Work closely with Demand Planning and Supply Planning teams to align allocation with forecasts and supply availability.Collaborate with Merchandising, Sales, Procurement, Warehousing, Logistics, and Operations teams to coordinate inventory movements.Analyze sell-through, stock cover, inventory turnover, weeks of supply, and availability by location and channel.Identify slow-moving, excess, aging, and obsolete inventory and recommend redistribution opportunities.Coordinate inventory transfers between warehouses, stores, markets, channels, or customer groups.Evaluate transfer requirements based on demand, transportation costs, inventory value, and service requirements.Monitor allocation execution and ensure approved quantities are accurately processed within required timelines.Investigate allocation discrepancies, shortages, over-allocation, under-allocation, and inventory inaccuracies.Develop allocation scenarios to support changing demand, supply constraints, promotions, and operational disruptions.Conduct what-if analysis for supply shortages, demand changes, product launches, and capacity constraints.Support sales and commercial teams by ensuring inventory availability aligns with customer and revenue priorities.Monitor allocation performance against sales plans, forecasts, inventory targets, and service-level requirements.Establish and maintain allocation calendars, planning cycles, deadlines, and approval processes.Develop allocation dashboards and reporting covering inventory availability, distribution, sell-through, shortages, excess stock, and transfer activity.Use ERP, WMS, inventory-management, planning, and analytics systems to manage and optimize allocation decisions.Improve allocation processes through automation, advanced analytics, optimization models, and data-driven decision-making.Validate allocation data and ensure accurate product, location, inventory, and demand information.Establish controls to prevent allocation errors, duplicate allocations, incorrect quantities, and inventory imbalances.Coordinate with Finance on inventory value, working capital, margin considerations, and allocation-related financial impacts.Support network planning, warehouse capacity planning, market expansion, and new-location launches.Develop allocation strategies for peak periods, holidays, major campaigns, and unexpected demand changes.Identify supply and inventory risks and develop mitigation plans.Monitor supplier constraints, production delays, logistics disruptions, and other factors affecting product availability.Coordinate cross-functional responses to critical stock shortages and allocation exceptions.Manage allocation-related projects, process improvements, system enhancements, and implementation initiatives.Establish standard operating procedures and governance for allocation planning and execution.Train and support allocation, planning, merchandising, and operational teams on allocation processes and systems.Monitor team performance, workload, priorities, and adherence to allocation schedules.Manage external partners or service providers involved in inventory distribution where applicable.Conduct regular reviews of allocation effectiveness and identify opportunities to improve inventory productivity.Provide management with recommendations on inventory positioning, allocation priorities, risks, and improvement opportunities.Key Performance IndicatorsInventory availabilityIn-stock rateStockout rateAllocation accuracyAllocation plan adherenceSell-through rateInventory turnoverWeeks of supplyStock coverForecast-to-allocation accuracyAllocation cycle timeReplenishment response timeExcess inventory levelAging inventoryObsolete inventoryInventory transfer efficiencyInventory imbalance rateProduct availability by locationProduct availability by channelService-level achievementLost-sales rateInventory utilizationWorking-capital efficiencyInventory value accuracyTransfer cost efficiencyAllocation exception rateAllocation error rateNew product launch allocation performancePromotional allocation performancePeak-period availabilityForecast varianceDemand fulfillment rateAllocation productivitySystem and data accuracyProcess automation rateInventory redistribution savingsStakeholder satisfactionContinuous-improvement savingsIdeal CandidateThe successful candidate should have strong experience in inventory allocation, merchandise planning, supply chain planning, demand planning, replenishment, inventory management, retail operations, distribution, or commercial supply chain environments.The candidate should demonstrate:Strong understanding of inventory allocation, replenishment, demand, and supply planning principles.Experience managing inventory distribution across multiple locations, channels, markets, or customer segments.Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales, inventory, forecast, and demand data.Experience working with ERP, WMS, planning, inventory-management, or allocation systems.Strong understanding of stock availability, sell-through, inventory turnover, stock cover, and working-capital concepts.Experience managing constrained inventory, shortages, excess stock, and redistribution decisions.Strong understanding of demand forecasting and supply planning processes.Excellent Excel and data-analysis capabilities; experience with BI or analytics platforms is highly desirable.Ability to develop allocation models, scenarios, business rules, and analytical recommendations.Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.Excellent project-management and organizational capabilities.Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.Ability to collaborate effectively with Planning, Merchandising, Procurement, Sales, Logistics, Warehousing, Finance, and Operations teams.Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.Ability to manage multiple planning cycles, priorities, deadlines, and exceptions.Experience supporting product launches, promotions, seasonal demand, or peak trading periods.Strong commercial awareness and understanding of customer availability and revenue impact.Experience improving allocation processes through automation, analytics, or system enhancements.Experience working with international and distributed teams is highly desirable.