Demand Planner

About the Team

The Demand Planning team ensures that item-level sales forecasts support the broader financial sales plan and overall business objectives while maintaining strong forecast accuracy.

The team works closely with Merchandising and Supply Chain partners to optimize inventory levels and ensure distribution centers have sufficient product to support sales demand and maintain target Days on Hand (DOH).

Demand Planners manage SKU and location-level forecasting across brands and channels, capturing the latest sales trends and proactively planning for upcoming promotions and seasonal demand.

Primary Role

The Demand Planner is responsible for managing SKU and location-level forecasting across a defined set of brands and channels. This role ensures item-level sales forecasts align with financial sales targets and business objectives while maintaining high levels of forecast accuracy.

The Demand Planner will also execute core order replenishment, ensuring distribution centers maintain appropriate inventory levels to support sales performance and Days on Hand (DOH) targets. The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and cross-functional collaboration with Merchandise Planning and other business partners.

Key Responsibilities

Forecast Management (40%)

• Manage forecast and historical data exceptions at the item/channel and item/store level
• Analyze sales trends and demand signals to improve forecast accuracy
• Adjust forecasts to reflect changing business conditions, product performance, and market trends

Cross-Functional Collaboration (20%)

• Partner with Merchandise Planning to ensure the bottom-up forecast aligns with Open-to-Buy (OTB) plans within the planning horizon
• Communicate forecast updates and demand insights with relevant stakeholders

Inventory & Replenishment Planning (20%)

• Place weekly core replenishment orders
• Provide receipt projections and ensure distribution centers maintain appropriate inventory levels
• Monitor inventory performance to support sales and DOH targets

Promotions Planning (15%)

• Support demand planning activities related to major promotional events (e.g., SSE, HSE, December holiday planning)
• Adjust forecasts and replenishment strategies to reflect promotional demand

Ad Hoc Analysis (5%)

• Conduct analysis related to forecast performance, sales trends, and inventory optimization
• Support demand planning projects and process improvements as needed

Required Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel and strong MS Office proficiency
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High level of attention to detail
• Strong organizational and time management abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Skills

• Collaborative mindset with strong team partnership skills
• Flexibility and adaptability in changing business environments

Qualifications

Years of Experience

• 1-2 years of retail demand planning or forecasting experience

Industry Experience

• Experience within the retail industry, specifically in demand planning, forecasting, or inventory planning

Education

• No specific degree requirement; relevant experience strongly valued

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