NATALIA DE LEON
Austin,TX
Summary
Category and inventory planning leader with 4+ years of experience driving growth across complex, multi-location distribution and retail environments. Currently lead inventory strategy, purchasing, and category performance across 15 locations representing approximately $46M in annual sales. Selected as the first Regional Category Manager nationally, helping build and prove a new commercial operating model that has since scaled to 30+ managers nationwide. Experienced in translating sales and inventory data into actionable business strategy, building scalable planning processes, and communicating across customers, vendors, Sales, Operations, and executive leadership.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Category Manager
SRS Distribution, A Home Depot Company
Austin, TX
02.2024 - Current
- Chosen as the first Regional Category Manager nationally and contributed to the development and validation of a new commercial operating model that gained approval from executive leadership for expansion and has since grown to 30+ managers nationwide.
- Chosen to expand into the Houston market—the largest market in the South—to replicate and scale the planning processes and operating framework developed in Central Texas.
- Lead category planning, inventory strategy, and purchasing across 15 branch locations representing approximately $46M in annual sales, aligning inventory investment with demand, availability, and commercial priorities
- Analyze sales, inventory, purchasing, and market trends to forecast demand, identify inventory risks and opportunities, and guide purchasing and inventory allocation decisions across locations
- Coordinate large-scale purchasing and inventory decisions while balancing projected demand, product availability, carrying costs, sales opportunities, and overstock/stockout exposure
- Developed planning tools, standardized processes, and educational resources that have since been incorporated into the company's national commercial training program
- Partner directly with customers, vendors, Sales, Operations, branch leadership, and corporate teams, translating analytical findings and market needs into actionable category and inventory strategies
- Build and present Excel-based reporting, performance analysis, and recommendations to regional leadership, connecting detailed data with clear business decisions and market-level execution
- Directly manage one employee and mentor two additional team members, providing development, operational guidance, and category expertise while supporting broader cross-functional teams
District Commercial Coordinator
SRS Distribution, A Home Depot Company
Austin, TX
01.2023 - 02.2024
- Managed inventory planning, purchasing coordination, and commercial operations across seven branch locations, enhancing product availability to meet market demand
- Coordinated inbound inventory and branch transfers for large-scale commercial projects, ensuring timely product allocation to meet customer needs
- Analyzed inventory movement, purchasing activity, and operational performance to identify inventory gaps, risks, and opportunities
- Partnered across Sales, Operations, logistics, and branch teams to resolve inventory constraints and maintain alignment between physical inventory and ERP data
- Supported leadership with inventory reporting and performance analysis, streamlining workflows and improving purchasing visibility across locations
Account Manager
SRS Distribution, A Home Depot Company
Austin, TX
11.2021 - 01.2023
- Managed customer relationships and coordinated with vendors, operations, and sales to ensure timely product availability and fulfillment in fast-paced distribution environment
- Reviewed inventory movement, purchasing activity, and customer demand trends to uncover availability risks and identify sales opportunities
- Navigated highly constrained supply-chain conditions while balancing customer demand, inventory availability, vendor lead times, and operational priorities
- Built strong relationships with customers, vendors, and internal partners while addressing fulfillment and inventory challenges
Service Advisor
Sewell Jaguar Land Rover
Texas
03.2021 - 11.2021
- Coordinated service requirements, parts availability, and operational execution to enhance customer experience in premium retail environment
- Ensured accuracy across work orders and parts usage, delivering service that met strict customer experience and brand standards
- Communicated with technicians to ensure timely service completion.
Education
Bachelor of Industrial Distribution -
Texas A&M University - College of Engineering
College Station, TX12-2020
Skills
- Wholesale & Category Planning
- Demand Forecasting
- Inventory Planning
- Inventory Allocation
- Purchasing Strategy
- Category Management
- Inventory Risk Management
- ERP & Inventory Management Systems
- Microsoft Excel functions
- VLOOKUPs
- KPI & Performance Reporting
- Project Management
- Process Development & Standardization
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Team leadership
- Customer & Vendor Relationships
Additional Interests
- Ceramics & Small Business Owner
- Distance Running
- Lagree/Solidcore
- Photography
- Creative Design & DIY
Timeline
Regional Category Manager
SRS Distribution, A Home Depot Company
02.2024 - Current
District Commercial Coordinator
SRS Distribution, A Home Depot Company
01.2023 - 02.2024
Account Manager
SRS Distribution, A Home Depot Company
11.2021 - 01.2023
Service Advisor
Sewell Jaguar Land Rover
03.2021 - 11.2021
Bachelor of Industrial Distribution -
Texas A&M University - College of Engineering