Demand Planner II

The Hillman Group, Inc.•East York, PA

17d

About The Position

The Demand Planner II is an intermediate-level supply chain planning position that owns the customer forecast in the planning system to help achieve company fill-rate and inventory goals. The role uses marketing and customer point-of-sale data for assigned customer channels and segment categories to develop effective demand forecasts, optimize purchasing plans, meet company KPIs, and align system-generated forecasts with sales forecasts. It monitors sales trends, service metrics, and inventory position, and may lead customer- or product-specific initiatives. The position has expanded responsibility and accountability for a greater number of categories, items, and financial responsibility, as well as increasingly complex businesses. It supports the team when capacity gaps arise, provides training and support to Tier 1 team members, and works across functional lines. The Demand Planner II partners with the S&OP team on product launches, project updates, out-of-stock and recovery information, demand and supply issue communications, monthly Demand Workshops, and implementation of aligned demand-plan adjustments. Limited domestic travel may be needed. Employees are expected and encouraged to participate in safety and health program activities, including reporting hazards, unsafe practices, and incidents; wearing required personal protective equipment; and supporting safety committee activities. The listed duties are not exhaustive and may change or be supplemented at any time.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in a related field preferred, or 3–5 years of experience.
Demonstrated understanding of financial systems and key drivers within manufacturing and sourcing environments.
Experience with complex logistics planning, transportation, and forecasting.
Teamwork and collaboration skills.
Interpersonal skills and professionalism.
Problem-solving skills and ability to reason and make decisions.
Ability to prioritize in a fast-moving environment and manage deadlines.
Ability to work independently and maintain an organized work environment.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze and articulate solutions.
Ability to understand internal operations and customer fulfillment requirements.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated project management ability and capacity to focus on multiple priorities.
Understanding of customer support methods and ownership of resolving details.
Strong technology skills, including demonstrated experience with WMS software and MS Office.
Ability to exhibit leadership, facilitation, and interpersonal skills while working across functional lines.
Ability to think creatively, strategically, and technically.
Functional vision and hearing required.
Participation in safety and health program activities, including wearing required personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in a related field.
Supply chain experience within the retail distribution sector.
APICS certification.
Experience with JDE World.

Responsibilities

Develop an accurate demand forecast in the GAINs planning system to drive supply planning and meet inventory and fill-rate objectives.
Maintain alignment between the demand forecast and sales forecast to support inventory performance and sales initiatives and goals.
Work routinely with Supply Planners and the Supply Chain Team to maintain fill-rate performance and resolve issues when fill rates decline.
Communicate proactively with Leadership about factors affecting customer performance, including fill rates and on-time performance.
Monitor market and customer point-of-sale trends to enhance demand and sales-force management.
Conduct financial analysis of the demand forecast and enter approved forecasts and financial tracking documents for the Annual Operating Plan.
Perform ad hoc analysis and participate on teams as needed.
Support the S&OP team with project and new-initiative status updates and communicate project status to the organization.
Support the S&OP team in researching out-of-stock and recovery information and communicating it to the organization.
Support communication of demand and supply issues to the Sales team.
Help the S&OP team prepare for monthly S&OP Demand Workshops and collaborate on strategies and demand-plan adjustments agreed during the workshops.
Collaborate with the S&OP team to manage performance for designated customer market channels and segment categories.
Support the team where there are capacity gaps, including temporarily taking on additional responsibilities.
Provide training and support for Tier 1 team members.
Partner with the S&OP team on successful, full and on-time implementation of new customer product launches.
Participate in safety and health program activities, including reporting hazards, unsafe practices, and incidents; wearing required personal protective equipment; and supporting safety committee activities.
Travel domestically as needed.