SkillBridge - Supply Chain Fellowship

Position Purpose

Responsible for translating category and assortment strategy into executable field plans that drive measurable improvements in mix, margin, and inventory performance. This role partners cross-functionally to align strategy with operational realities, ensure disciplined execution, and build a scalable model for assortment optimization across the organization, on-the-job training to support a smooth transition into a civilian career.

Key Responsibilities

1 . Field Immersion & Business Understanding

• Develop a deep understanding of branch operations by working directly in multiple branch environments across varying performance levels and markets.

• Observe and analyze the full order lifecycle (quote → pick → deliver) to understand how assortment decisions impact daily execution.

• Evaluate how branches determine stocking decisions, promotions, discounting, and inventory tradeoffs.

• Assess SLOB management practices and identify gaps between planned assortment strategy and field execution.

• Partner with Category Management and Supplier Relations to understand supplier programs, brand positioning, and strategic intent.

• Ride along with sales teams to observe customer behavior, substitution patterns, and buying decision drivers (price, availability, brand, relationships).

• Analyze external market dynamics including commodity pricing, freight pressures, and regional demand shifts to assess impact on pricing and inventory strategy.

• Map cross-functional stakeholder ownership and decision dependencies across Supply Chain, Pricing, Sales, Branch Operations, and Supplier Relations.

• Document current operating realities, execution friction points, and decision flows from strategy to branch-level execution.

2. Current State Assessment & Diagnostics

• Conduct comprehensive assortment analysis by category, region, and branch to identify duplication, gaps, and over-assortment.

• Evaluate supplier mix and competitive positioning.

• Analyze inventory health metrics including DOH, SLOB, and turns to assess financial and operational impact.

• Assess alignment between category strategy, pricing execution, and field behavior.

• Conduct structured stakeholder interviews to identify breakdowns in execution.

• Develop a clear diagnostic of current-state performance across assortment, inventory, supplier mix, and pricing alignment.

• Identify key influencers and change agents within the organization.

3. Strategy Translation & Execution Planning

• Translate category strategy into actionable assortment blueprints, including:

• Target category focus areas

• Defined brand roles

• Good/Better/Best price-point architecture

• Geographic and regional considerations

• Customer segment requirements

• Align assortment decisions with inventory strategy, supplier programs, and pricing guardrails.

• Develop pilot execution plans including SKU phase-in/phase-out strategies.

• Build inventory transition plans to optimize working capital.

• Recommend supplier adjustments to improve mix and performance.

• Establish measurable success metrics including margin improvement, SKU reduction, inventory reduction, and mix shift.

4 . Cross-Functional Alignment & Governance

• Facilitate alignment across Supply Chain, Pricing, Sales, Branch Operations, and Supplier Relations to support execution.

• Define clear roles, ownership structures, and execution timelines.

• Identify risks and implement mitigation strategies.

• Build and manage a centralized execution tracker.

• Establish and lead a weekly operating cadence (mini-SIOP model) to monitor progress.

• Coordinate inventory actions, pricing updates, and sales enablement efforts to ensure synchronized execution.

5. Execution & Change Management

• Lead rollout of assortment updates and SKU rationalization initiatives.

• Coordinate inventory drawdowns, transfers, and purchasing adjustments.

• Partner with Pricing to ensure alignment with updated assortment strategy.

• Support Sales teams with substitution guidance and customer communication strategies.

• Communicate assortment changes clearly to field teams and stakeholders.

• Monitor weekly execution progress and resolve issues in real time.

• Reinforce adherence to new assortment standards and operating processes.

• Drive measurable improvements in mix, margin, and inventory performance.

6. Performance Tracking, Optimization & Scale

• Track performance against defined targets including margin, SKU count, inventory (DOH, SLOB), and sales mix.

• Conduct post-implementation reviews to identify lessons learned and optimization opportunities.

• Develop and standardize an Assortment Execution Playbook for enterprise-wide adoption.

• Present results, insights, and recommendations to senior leadership.

• Build a repeatable model to scale category and assortment optimization across the organization.

Direct Manager/Direct Reports

• Reports to SVP, Supply Chain and/or Senior Director/Manager of Supply Chain

• No Direct Reports

Travel Requirements

• Travel to branch locations across multiple markets. Travel may include overnight stays.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods while visiting branches, warehouses, yards, and job sites.

• Ability to navigate warehouse and yard environments, including uneven surfaces and loading dock areas.

• Occasional bending, stooping, reaching, and climbing stairs in operational settings.

• Ability to lift and carry materials up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel frequently between branch locations.

• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer or attending meetings.

• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, handling documents, and operating office equipment.

• Visual acuity sufficient to review data, analyze reports, and operate safely in warehouse and job-site environments.

• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) when in operational or construction environments.

Working Conditions

• Regular exposure to warehouse and distribution environments, including active material handling equipment, loading docks, and palletized inventory.

• Periodic exposure to outdoor yard conditions, including varying weather such as heat, cold, humidity, wind, and rain.

• Exposure to moderate noise levels typical of warehouse, yard, and industrial branch operations.

• Occasional exposure to dust and airborne particulates commonly present in building materials environments.

• Visits to active customer job sites may involve uneven walking surfaces, construction activity, and outdoor conditions.

• Office and corporate environments with standard climate-controlled settings.

• Extended periods of computer and screen use in office or remote settings.

• Use of standard personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, high-visibility vests, and steel-toe footwear when required in operational or job-site environments.

Minimum Qualifications

• 180 days or fewer remaining on active duty at the time of program start

• Approval from Chain of Command

• Pay Grade E-7 and above or O-1 and above

Preferred Qualifications

• Military leadership experience with responsibility for personnel, operations, or logistics.

• Proven ability to execute mission-driven objectives with measurable results and strong accountability.

• Experience in logistics, supply chain, inventory management, or operational planning.

• Demonstrated success leading teams in complex, fast-paced environments.

• Skilled in risk assessment, process improvement, and cross-functional coordination.

• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.

Minimum Education

• N/A

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent military experience).

Minimum Years of Work Experie