Demand Forecasting Planner

About the position The Demand Forecasting Planner is responsible for generating accurate demand forecasts, developing inventory strategies, and maintaining product availability across multiple import product lines. This role is pivotal in optimizing inventory flow, improving forecast accuracy, and aligning supply with customer demand to maximize sales while minimizing excess and aged inventory. The ideal candidate is a strategic, data-driven thinker with strong analytical skills, a proactive mindset, and a commitment to continuous improvement in a fast-paced, dynamic supply chain environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze historical sales trends, market dynamics, and current performance to create accurate demand forecasts for import product lines.
• Monitor and communicate changes in sales forecasts, budgets, and business strategies to ensure cross-functional alignment.
• Anticipate demand drivers such as seasonality, promotions, assortment shifts, and external market conditions.
• Measure forecast accuracy, identify root causes of variance, and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
• Prioritize inventory and shipment flow based on customer demand, business priorities, and operational capacity.
• Place and track import purchase orders to meet service level targets and inventory goals.
• Monitor inventory levels to identify opportunities to increase turns, reduce excess stock, and maximize sales potential.
• Recommend and adjust order quantities and delivery timing to maintain optimal inventory positioning.
• Forecast demand for long lead-time products to proactively manage supply risk.
• Partner with Merchandising, Sales, and Warehouse Operations to align demand forecasts with procurement and fulfillment strategies.
• Collaborate with Merchants on assortment lifecycle planning, product transitions, and end-of-life strategies to minimize obsolete inventory.
• Deliver data-driven insights and recommendations to leadership that support strategic decision-making.
• Lead supply planning efforts for new product introductions, transitions, and discontinuations to ensure adequate inventory coverage.
• Use data-driven methodologies to identify process gaps and implement solutions that improve forecast precision and supply chain efficiency.
• Continuously assess and improve forecasting tools, planning methodologies, and reporting capabilities.
• Maintain visibility into excess, aging, and at-risk inventory and communicate mitigation strategies to stakeholders.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain management within a retail or consumer goods environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage SKU-level forecasting incorporating promotional activity, seasonality, and business insights.
• Proven track record of improving forecast accuracy, reporting KPIs, and leading process improvements.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume environment that requires agility, accuracy, and disciplined execution.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, complex formulas).
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally across Merchandising, Operations, Finance, and external suppliers/vendors.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
• Exceptional attention to detail with a commitment to data accuracy and integrity.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a dynamic, evolving environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment across departments.
• Proactive mindset with a passion for process optimization, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Finance, Operations, or related field required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with forecasting/planning software or ERP systems (e.g., STORIS, SAP, Oracle, Power BI, Tableau, or similar).
• Prior experience supporting import or long-lead-time product planning.
• Knowledge of inventory optimization strategies, demand signals, and supply chain risk mitigation.
• Exposure to continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, etc.).
• Experience influencing cross-functional decisions using data-driven insights.
• Master’s degree or specialized certification in Supply Chain, Forecasting, Demand Planning, or Analytics preferred (e.g., APICS, IBF, CSCP, CPIM).

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