Supply Chain Demand Planner

Position Summary :

The Demand Planner is responsible for the development of the short and long-range demand forecast for their assigned categories and distribution centers, including managing promotional activity and achieving accuracy metrics that enables the company to achieve both the financial service and cost objectives.

This role will recognize forecast trends / patterns to provide business insights through historical sales, future trends, pricing, seasonality, and other qualitative data.

Position Responsibilities may include, but not limited to :

• Develop demand forecasts at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons using JDA Software
• Understand the dynamics of assigned categories and items, including seasonality, pricing, trends, ad campaigns, category role, sales objectives, and drivers
• Collaborate and contribute to forecasts, promotions and new item launches with Customers and other Supply Chain groups
• Provide input to the Supply Planning team in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products and promotions, and product phase-outs.

Collaborate with Supply Planning, Promotions Planning and other areas of operations to mitigate the inventory impact of sudden changes in demand

• Proactively monitor forecast error / accuracy including root cause analysis that leads to continuous improvement in accuracy metrics
• Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results
• Proactively participate in identifying opportunities for process improvement & work on driving solutions
• Perform analysis on Key Performance Indicators (forecast accuracy, forecast error) and implement solutions
• Other projects or duties as assigned

Required Skills and Experience :

• 2-3 years’ experience in Demand Planning, Forecasting, Analytics or Supply Chain related field
• Experience using time management skills such as prioritizing / organizing and tracking details and meeting deadlines of multiple projects with varying completion dates
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting and forecasting methods with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts.
• Strong collaboration and relationship building through cross functional alignment
• Ability to communicate effectively across all levels of management, peers, and partners, as necessary
• Critical thinking skills required to analyze data with ability to define root cause, and corrective action
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Suite of tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• This position must pass a post-offer background check

Preferred Skills and Experience :

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Statistics, Business, or related field. Relevant work experience will be considered
• Experience in retail or restaurant supply chain industry preferred
• Proficiency in forecasting and planning systems (JDA or similar)
• APICS or other forecasting certification preferred

Physical Demands and Work Environment :

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Due to the nature of our business in regard to such things as delivery schedules, order inputs, selection, and Department of Transportation Hours of Service, overtime, attendance and punctuality are essential job functions.

Should an individual in this classification not be able to adhere to this requirement due to a disability, they should contact their Human Resources department to see what, if any, reasonable accommodation may be made.