Demand and Intercompany Planning Analyst

Ghirardelli Chocolate Company•San Leandro, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves assisting in the development and maintenance of demand forecasts for seasonal and everyday gift categories, gathering necessary data, and analyzing forecast variances. The analyst will support new product launches, item transitions, and seasonal planning, updating demand assumptions and forecasts in planning systems. Participation in S&OP and S&OE processes, collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and Supply Planning, and maintaining forecasting master data are key responsibilities. The role also includes running seasonal change reports, updating presentations, preparing performance reports, generating forecast comparison reports, and managing excess inventory reports. Additionally, the analyst will provide coverage for other planning responsibilities and support special projects. On the intercompany supply planning side, the role involves planning and monitoring intercompany supply for seasonal and everyday gift products, creating, tracking, and maintaining purchase orders to Lindt subsidiaries, and updating SAP with forecast and demand changes. Maintaining intercompany demand information, participating in budget and LE planning for intercompany purchases and inventory estimates, and liaising with international counterparts are crucial. The analyst will also participate in monthly intercompany planning calls, align intercompany supply with customer demand and production, and monitor inventory levels to minimize stock-outs and excess inventory risks, while tracking and mitigating supply constraints.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Finance, Statistics, or related field preferred.
2-5 years of experience in Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Inventory Planning, Forecasting, or Supply Chain Analytics.
Experience with SAP, SAP APO/IBP, or related planning systems preferred.
Advanced Excel skills including pivots, lookups, reporting automation, and data analysis.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work across functions and international teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Basware is a plus

Responsibilities

Assist in developing and maintaining demand forecasts for assigned seasonal and everyday gift categories and gather all necessary data.
Analyze forecast variances and recommend adjustments based on business trends and performance.
Support new product launches, item transitions, and seasonal planning activities.
Update demand assumptions and forecasts in planning systems based on changing business conditions.
Participate in S&OP, and S&OE processes by preparing analysis and reporting.
Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and Supply Planning to identify risks and opportunities.
Maintain forecasting master data and planning parameters within SAP and planning systems.
Run and maintain Seasonal Change Reports in Excel; update seasonal planning presentations and key account forecast decks with the latest forecast information.
Prepare and update Realized vs. Operational performance reports and supporting presentation materials for weekly business reviews.
Generate and analyze Forecast Comparison Reports.
Generate and maintain Excess Inventory Reports and recommend actions.
Provide coverage for other planning responsibilities when required.
Support special projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
Plan and monitor intercompany supply for seasonal SKUs and Everyday Gift products.
Responsible for timely planning, creation, tracking, and maintenance of purchase orders to Lindt subsidiaries.
Update purchase orders in SAP based on forecast and demand changes and communicate changes to suppliers.
Maintain intercompany demand information within the intercompany planning system.
Participate in budget and Latest Estimate (LE) planning activities for intercompany purchases and ending inventory estimates.
Liaise with counterparts at Lindt Mexico, Canada, Austria, and Germany to balance supply and demand requirements.
Participate in monthly intercompany planning and supply review calls.
Collaborate with internal partners to align intercompany supply with customer demand and production requirements.
Monitor inventory levels and recommend actions to minimize stock-outs, excess inventory, and obsolescence risks.
Track supply constraints, delays, and risks and recommend mitigation plans.