Inventory and Supply Chain Manager - Curve Gear (Maitland, Cape Town)

Job Overview:

We are looking for a highly capable and experienced Inventory and Supply Chain Manager to join Curve Gear — a fast-growing South African menswear brand known for engineering premium, durable, and functional clothing. This role is pivotal in ensuring optimal inventory levels, streamlined replenishment flows, and accurate forecasting across our direct-to-consumer stores, online platforms, and supplier networks.

You’ll be responsible for owning the end-to-end inventory strategy — from forecasting demand and managing consolidations to ensuring stock accuracy and minimizing dead stock.

Key Responsibilities:

Inventory Planning & Flow Management

• Manage, monitor, and optimize inventory flow across stores, warehouse, online, and production.
• Implement and manage stock allocation and replenishment systems based on sell-through, demand, and sales velocity.
• Ensure accurate and timely consolidations of stock across locations to avoid stockouts or overstock situations.

Forecasting & Demand Planning

• Build and maintain rolling demand forecasts using sales data, trend analysis, and historical performance.
• Align forecasts with marketing campaigns, product launches, and seasonal demand cycles.
• Track high-performing SKUs and proactively plan replenishment and reorders with product and buying teams.

Supplier & Logistics Coordination

• Manage supplier relationships and liaise with internal teams for order placements, production updates, and inbound logistics.
• Coordinate shipments from CMTs or overseas suppliers to the central warehouse and stores.
• Work with 3PLs or internal logistics to ensure timely delivery and cost-effective transport.

Stock Control & Auditing

• Oversee inventory accuracy through regular cycle counts, audits, and reconciliations.
• Investigate variances and implement corrective action to minimize shrinkage and errors.
• Maintain systems and reporting processes to ensure real-time visibility of stock.

Returns, Transfers, and Safety Stock

• Manage and process inter-store transfers, customer returns, and B2B return-to-origin (RTO) flows.
• Maintain appropriate safety stock levels across key SKUs.
• Lead markdown and clearance decisions for end-of-life or slow-moving inventory.

Analysis & Reporting

• Develop dashboards and reports to track inventory KPIs (stock cover, sell-through, aging, etc.).
• Provide insights and recommendations to improve working capital and turnover ratios.
• Support executive team with forecasting for new store rollouts and expansion planning.

Qualifications & Skills:

Must-Haves:

• 5+ years of experience in inventory, supply chain, or stock planning — ideally within fashion, apparel, or footwear industries.
• Deep understanding of replenishment logic, seasonal stock builds, and flow planning.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in tools like Excel/Google Sheets, stock planning software (e.g. NetSuite, DEAR, or in-house POS), and reporting tools.
• Proven experience managing relationships across warehousing, suppliers, and logistics.
• Attention to detail with excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking capabilities.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience in omni-channel retail and Shopify-based environments.
• Familiarity with South African logistics networks and import practices.
• Exposure to working in fast-growth, entrepreneurial environments.

Key Attributes:

• Proactive and self-motivated — comfortable owning the numbers.
• Clear communicator who can collaborate cross-functionally with product, buying, retail, and warehouse teams.
• Results-driven with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.