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 Experience:

• •Operations, supply chain, category management, logistics, or field leadership
• •Leading