Demand Planner I

Job Summary

The Demand Planner I owns the customer forecast in the planning system to achieve company fill rate and inventory goals. The Demand Planner I partners with S&OP team on successful implementation of new customer product launches in full and on time. The Demand Planner I utilizes marketing and customer point of sale (POS) data (for assigned customer channels and segment categories) to provide effective demand forecasts aimed at optimizing purchasing plans and meeting company KPIs. The Demand Planner I analyzes system generated demand forecasts and align with the sales forecast to minimize any variance/gap. The Demand Planner I monitors sales trends, service metrics and inventory position to achieve company KPIs. The Demand Planner I may act as a project lead for customer or product specific initiatives. 

Essential Job Functions *

• Opening level supply chain planning position
• Requires a basic understanding of supply chain concepts and practices
• Responsible for a basic product category and or supplier base
• Ability to leverage reporting to identify category and channel level trends, independently determine best course of action to take
• Ability to solve problems as well as recognize issues and deal with them directly
• Develop an accurate demand forecast in the GAINs planning system to drive supply planning and meet inventory & fill rate objectives.  
• Maintain alignment (minimize the variance/gap) between the demand forecast and sales forecast to drive productive inventory performance and support sales initiatives and goals.  
• Routinely works with Supply Planners, and the Supply Chain Team to maintain fill rate performance and resolve issues when fill rate declines.  
• Proactively communicates with Leadership on areas of impact to Customer performance (Fill Rates, On Time Performance). 
• Routinely monitors market and customer POS trends to enhance demand to sales forces management. 
• Responsible for financial analysis of demand forecast and entry of approved forecast and financial tracking documents for Annual Operating Plan. 
• Perform ad hoc analysis and participate on teams as needed.
• Limited domestic travel as needed. 
• Support S&OP team on Project / New Initiative status updates and communicating project status to the organization
• Support S&OP team to research out of stock / recovery information and communication to the organization
• Support S&OP team on the communication of Demand and Supply issues to the Sales team
• Provide support to help the S&OP team prepare for monthly S&OP Demand Workshops, and collaborate with the S&OP team to implement strategies and execute demand plan adjustments that were aligned to during the monthly S&OP Demand Workshops
• Collaborate with S&OP team to manage designated customer market channels and segment categories performance

* This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Employees are expected and encouraged to participate in safety and health program activities including immediately reporting hazards, immediately reporting unsafe work practices and incidents to supervisors, wearing required personal protective equipment, and participating in and supporting safety committee activities.

Education & Experience

• BS/BA in related field preferred, or 0-3 years of experience
• Demonstrated understanding of financial systems and the key drivers within the manufacturing and sourcing environment.
• Supply Chain experience within retail distribution sector preferred.
• Experience with complex logistics planning, transportation, and forecasting.
• APICS certification preferred

Competencies – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skills in teamwork and collaboration
• Interpersonal skill
• Problem-solving skills
• Ability to exhibit professionalism
• Ability to prioritize in a fast-moving environment
• Ability to manage deadlines
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to maintain an organized work environment
• Ability to reason and make decisions
• Strong analytical skills to analyze and articulate solutions 
• Ability to understand internal operations and customer fulfillment requirements 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Demonstrated project management ability; able to focus on multiple priorities 
• Understanding of customer support methods and a sense of ownership for resolving details 
• Strong technology skills including demonstrated experience with WMS software, MS Office, JDE World (preferred). 

Operational Equipment

• N/A