Inventory Lead

🔭 Head of Inventory — Lenskart

Mission Brief: Own the Intelligence Behind Every Product, in Every Store, Everywhere

Lenskart is not a retailer that happens to sell online. We are a technology company that has reimagined eyewear — and we are now reimagining inventory. With over 2,600 stores across multiple geographies, an in-house manufacturing ecosystem, and a rapidly expanding global footprint, the scale of what we move, manage, and optimize is extraordinary.

As Head of Inventory, you will own the strategic and operational command of Lenskart's entire inventory ecosystem. You will be the leader who turns raw data into precision decisions, transforms replenishment from reactive to predictive, and builds a team and culture where AI-first thinking is the default, not the exception.

🎯 What You'll Own

1. Intelligent Inventory Strategy Define and execute a forward-looking inventory strategy across Lenskart's omni-channel network — online platforms, 2,600+ physical stores, and centralized fulfilment hubs. Move the organization from static planning models to dynamic, AI-assisted forecasting that responds in real time to demand signals, fashion cycles, and supply chain shifts. Set the vision for how Lenskart uses predictive analytics to eliminate stockouts, reduce obsolescence, and unlock working capital at scale.

2. AI-Powered Demand Forecasting & Replenishment Lead the adoption and continuous improvement of machine learning-based demand sensing tools across frames, lenses, and sunglasses — millions of SKUs spanning fast-moving consumer and fashion-influenced categories. Partner with Data Science and Engineering teams to translate business requirements into smarter algorithms, sharper replenishment triggers, and better buying signals. Your north star: forecast accuracy (MAPE/WAPE) that is best-in-class for a retailer of Lenskart's complexity.

3. End-to-End Inventory Operations Own the full inventory lifecycle — from purchase order strategy and supplier negotiation to stock monitoring, cycle integrity, and shrinkage controls. Leverage ERP/WMS platforms to drive 98%+ inventory accuracy, while continuously identifying and eliminating process waste through automation and lean principles. Design systems and guardrails that scale as the business does.

4. Supply Chain Partnership & Procurement Intelligence Collaborate deeply with procurement, supply chain, and manufacturing to build a supplier ecosystem that is agile, resilient, and cost-efficient. Lead strategic sourcing decisions that balance Economic Order Quantities with the speed demands of a fashion-adjacent business. Bring data to every negotiation and build the frameworks that make our supply relationships a competitive advantage.

5. Cross-Functional Leadership & Culture of Data Be the leader who makes data-driven inventory decisions the organizational norm, not the exception. Partner with Retail Operations, Merchandising, Finance, and E-commerce to ensure inventory strategy serves commercial goals. Present insights, KPIs, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership with clarity and conviction. Build, mentor, and inspire a high-performance inventory team that is as comfortable reading a demand model as they are walking a warehouse floor.

🧩 The Essentials

Experience: 8–12 years in inventory management, supply chain, or merchandise planning — with at least 5 years in a strategic leadership role. Demonstrated track record in high-SKU, omni-channel, or retail-at-scale environments. Experience with automated warehouses, phygital retail models, or in-house manufacturing ecosystems is a strong advantage.

Technical Depth: Hands-on fluency with ERP/WMS platforms and advanced analytics tools. Practical experience applying forecasting methodologies (time-series, statistical, ML-assisted) to real inventory decisions — not just familiarity with the theory.

Education: Bachelor's in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations Research, or related quantitative field. MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Domain: Retail, eyewear, fashion, consumer goods, or a fast-moving category with high SKU complexity. Consulting backgrounds welcome, provided they come with deep operational exposure.

🧠 The Mindset

AI-Native Thinking. You don't just use data — you build systems that generate it, interpret it, and act on it. You see inventory planning as a technology problem as much as an operations one, and you are excited by what AI/ML can unlock in forecasting, allocation, and replenishment.

Bias for Precision at Scale. You are energized by complexity — millions of SKUs, hundreds of suppliers, thousands of stores — and you know how to bring rigour and clarity to decisions that others find overwhelming.

Ownership Mentality. You take full accountability for outcomes. When a stockout happens or inventory turns slip, you don't escalate the problem — you solve it. You hold yourself and your team to a higher standard because you understand the direct link between inventory health and customer experience.

Builder's Drive. This is a role for someone who wants to build, not just manage. You are excited by the opportunity to design new systems, challenge legacy processes, and leave behind a playbook that didn't exist before you.

Transformational Communication. You can walk a boardroom through working capital strategy and walk a warehouse floor with equal authority. You bring people along on the journey — influencing without mandating, inspiring without over-promising.

Lenskart is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive environment for all.