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Job Function

Demand Planner

The Merchandise and Demand Planner is responsible for analytical, strategic, and collaborative tasks focused on optimizing inventory, forecasting demand, and coordinating merchandise plans to meet business goals. Working closely with both internal and external partners to ensure that the right products are available at the right time to meet customer demand and support business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Demand Forecasting and Performance Analysis

   1. Demand Forecasting:

      • Analyze sales trends, market dynamics, and seasonal fluctuations to forecast product demand accurately.
      • Utilize statistical software and data analysis tools to create reliable demand forecasts.
      • Continuously refine forecasting methods based on actual sales trends and market feedback.
      • Make recommendations for promotional strategies or markdowns based on sales data.
      • Update the OTB (Open to Buy) plan bi-weekly based on actual sales performance, inventory levels, and changes in market conditions.
      • Determine the optimal mix and quantities of sizes for each item through analysis of historical sales and demand.

      Inventory Management:

      • Monitor inventory levels to ensure alignment with forecasted demand and sales targets.
      • Partner with the supply planning department to develop and implement inventory strategies to minimize stockouts and overstock situations.
      • Conduct regular inventory analysis to identify slow-moving or obsolete items and recommend appropriate actions.
      • Manage safety stock strategy to safeguard stock levels for customer size exchanges, etc.

      Collaboration:

      • Collaborate with the Marketing team on product placement and promotions to support demand forecasts.
      • Work with marketing, finance, and logistics teams to ensure a cohesive approach to product launches, promotions, and inventory management.
      • Participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss plans, share insights, and make informed decisions.

      Financial Planning & Management:

      • Work with the finance department during the budget planning process to set revenue forecasts and budgets for inventory purchases, based on sales forecasts and planned promotions.
      • Provide inputs into the revenue plan for monthly reforecasting based on demand plan shifts.

      Process Improvement and Technology Utilization:

      • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency in demand planning and merchandise management.
      • Leverage merchandise systems and data analytics tools to optimize planning processes and decision-making.
      • Identify opportunities to utilize advanced analytics to support demand forecasting accuracy.

      Reporting:

      • Provide weekly reports to the Leadership Team on inventory levels, turnover rates, and merchandise performance against financial forecasts and budgets, highlighting discrepancies, potential risks, and opportunities for cost savings or revenue enhancement.

      Strategy:

      • Evaluate the financial viability of investments in new product lines, additional inventory for peak seasons, or expansion into new markets.
      • Align with merchandising to develop a strategic plan by collection, by month, focusing on sales, markdowns, product turn, receipts, high-margin items, trending products, or strategic investments in new lines that align with business goals.
      • Assist in assortment planning and product selection based on demand forecasts and sales targets.

      Requirements:

      • Apparel or footwear demand planning experience required.
      • Minimum 5 years of prior experience in demand and inventory management or a field that demands complex quantitative analysis.
      • Hands-on experience with modeling, forecasting, analysis, and simulation tools.
      • Strong analytical and conceptual skills.
      • Ability to work within high-performing teams and collaborate effectively.
      • Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
      • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Job Function

The Merchandise and Demand Planner is responsible for analytical, strategic, and collaborative tasks focused on optimizing inventory, forecasting demand, and coordinating merchandise plans to meet business goals. Working closely with both internal and external partners to ensure that the right products are available at the right time to meet customer demand and support business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Demand Forecasting and Performance Analysis
   1. Analyze sales trends, market dynamics, and seasonal fluctuations to forecast product demand accurately.
   2. Use statistical software and data analysis tools to create reliable demand forecasts.
   3. Continuously refine forecasting methods based on actual sales trends and market feedback.
   4. Use sales data to make recommendations for promotional strategies or markdowns.
   5. Update the OTB plan bi-weekly based on actual sales performance, inventory levels, and changes in market conditions.
   6. Determine, monitor, and adjust the optimal mix and quantities of sizes to order for each item through analysis of historical sales and demand.

2. Inventory Management
   1. Monitor inventory levels and ensure they are aligned with forecasted demand and sales targets.
   2. Partner with supply planning department to develop and implement inventory strategies to minimize stockouts and overstock situations.
   3. Conduct regular inventory analysis to identify slow-moving or obsolete items and recommend appropriate actions.
   4. Manage safety stock strategy to safeguard stock levels for customer size exchanges/etc.

3. Collaboration
   1. Collaborate with Marketing team on product placement and promotions to support demand forecasts.
   2. Collaborate with marketing, finance, and logistics teams to ensure a cohesive approach to product launches, promotions, and inventory management.
   3. Participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss plans, share insights, and make informed decisions.

4. Financial Planning & Management
   1. Works with the finance department during the budget planning process to set revenue forecast and budgets for inventory purchases, based on sales forecasts and planned promotions.
   2. Provide inputs into revenue plan for monthly reforecasting based on demand plan shifts.

5. Process Improvement and Technology Utilization
   1. Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency in demand planning and merchandise management.
   2. Leverage merchandise system and data analytics tools to optimize planning processes and decision-making.
   3. Identify opportunities to utilize advanced analytics to support demand forecasting accuracy.

6. Reporting
   1. Weekly report to Leadership Team on inventory levels, turnover rates, and merchandise performance against financial forecasts and budgets highlighting discrepancies, potential risks, and opportunities for cost savings or revenue enhancement.

7. Strategy
   1. Evaluate the financial viability of investments in new product lines, additional inventory for peak seasons, or expansion into new markets.
   2. Align with merchandising to develop strategic plan by collection, by month focusing on sales, markdowns, product turn, receipts, high-margin items, trending products, or strategic investments in new lines that align with business goals.
      1. Assist in assortment planning and product selection based on demand forecasts and sales targets.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s) Needed

• Apparel or footwear demand planning experience required
• At least 5 years of prior experience in demand and inventory management, or a field that demands complex quantitative analysis
• Hands-on experience with modeling, forecasting, analysis and simulation tools
• Worked within high-performing teams and is highly collaborative
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills
• Data gathering and quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including business process metrics and measures linking to business KPIs
• Meets deadlines and work under pressure, with limited supervision
• Well-organized and high level of attention to detail
• Knowledge of forecasting processes in sales, marketing operations, finance and manufacturing
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at once
• Evaluate scenarios with end-to-end supply chain impact in mind
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, including great presentations

Bachelor’s Degree