Demand Planner

Job Summary

This role is responsible for forecast demand management and alignment of capacities to the needs of our customers as well as developing and maintaining inventory plans to support customer needs and the execution to those plans.  It is a position requiring a high attention to detail with solid capabilities in planning and capacity understanding and management both for vertical and supplied products. This role is additionally responsible for aligning new product introductions with source production and launch timing and acting as the liaison for the source within the business. 

Essential Functions

Main duties

• Works with the supply chain team and sources to generate production and shipping plans to meet inventory and on time direct shipping requirements 
• Analyzes the customer or sales region information and adjusts planning to ensure efficient use of inventory while meeting customer needs
• Works with the Demand Planning Manager, Finance, Sales and Marketing to develop an ever-improving global sales forecast using demand history, trends, NPI, seasonality and other market data for the MRP
• Provide information to support the S&OP process.                  
• Measure each global region, brand, channel of the overall business regarding sell through, inventory levels and orders to help establish system wide accountabilities.
• Identify supply issues and work with sources to establish root cause and remedy said issues while also ensuring recovery to plan 
• Ensure all customer required communication is timely and accurate and requests are met with a high sense of urgency
• Report out to the business as required
• Metrics for this role are: Lead Time Accuracy, Ship On Time, Forecast Accuracy, Inventory turns overall, Inventory weeks on hand by “platform” by location  

Required Skills/Abilities

• Strong organizational and follow up skills, especially with customers directly                                     
• Strong Microsoft Excel capability                                   
• Clear communicator with a strong ability to navigate through data to “tell the story”
• Demonstrated ability to function within cross team collaboration
• Ability to learn new demand planning systems and adapt best practices
• Ability to drive transparency and address supply issues in a fact based and direct manner

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field
• Demonstrated improvisational and problem-solving skills
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Demonstrated experience in building strong working relationships with Finance, Marketing and Sales Teams
• At least 5 years of interaction with Sales and Marketing functions on the launch of new products

Essential Knowledge

• At least 5 years of consumer products planning experience 
• Knowledge of Asia based sourcing and logistics requirements
• Microsoft D365 knowledge a plus

Personal Qualities 

• Enjoys analysis/statistics, a Problem Solver.                                      
• Ability to handle pressure well and calmly lead others through complex issues across physical and systemic platforms.  
• Ability to clearly communicate requirements.                                  
• Ability to equitably issue assignments.                                
• Must have Player-Coach capability while maintaining a high degree of ownership in the team.
• Must be a willing student to then transfer new knowledge learned.                                           
• Should be detail oriented and highly organized.                              
• Have a Servant Leader mentality.

Travel Requirements

• Less than 10%, across other facilities.

Physical Demands

• Mobility to work in typical office and field (warehouse/production) settings and use standard office equipment. Strength to lift and carry up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.