Demand Planner II

Hillman•East York, PA

16d

About The Position

The Demand Planner II owns customer forecasts in the planning system to help achieve company fill-rate and inventory goals. The role uses marketing and customer point-of-sale (POS) data for assigned customer channels and segment categories to develop effective demand forecasts, optimize purchasing plans, and meet company KPIs. It analyzes system-generated forecasts and aligns them with sales forecasts to minimize variances, while monitoring sales trends, service metrics, and inventory positions. The position may lead customer- or product-specific initiatives and carries expanded responsibility for categories, items, financial accountability, and increasingly complex businesses. The Demand Planner II collaborates with the S&OP team on customer product launches, project updates, demand and supply communications, out-of-stock recovery information, and monthly Demand Workshops. The role works routinely with Supply Planners and the Supply Chain Team to sustain fill-rate performance and address declines, and communicates customer performance impacts to leadership. It also performs financial analysis of demand forecasts, maintains approved forecast and financial tracking documents for the Annual Operating Plan, and conducts ad hoc analysis as needed. Limited domestic travel may be required. The position supports team needs, including temporarily taking on additional responsibilities, and provides training and support to Tier 1 team members. Employees are expected to participate in safety and health program activities, promptly report hazards and unsafe practices or incidents, wear required personal protective equipment, and support safety committee activities. Duties and responsibilities may change or be added 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 in manufacturing and sourcing.
Experience with complex logistics planning, transportation, and forecasting.
Skills in teamwork and collaboration.
Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism.
Problem-solving skills and the 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 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 ability to focus on multiple priorities.
Understanding of customer support methods and ownership of resolving details.
Strong technology skills, including experience with WMS software and MS Office.

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 accurate demand forecasts in the GAINs planning system to support supply planning and meet inventory and fill-rate objectives.
Maintain alignment between demand and sales forecasts to support productive inventory performance and sales initiatives.
Work routinely with Supply Planners and the Supply Chain Team to maintain fill-rate performance and resolve issues when fill rates decline.
Proactively communicate customer performance impacts, including fill rates and on-time performance, to leadership.
Monitor market and customer POS trends to inform demand and sales-force management.
Perform financial analysis of demand forecasts 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.
Help the S&OP team research out-of-stock and recovery information and communicate it to the organization.
Support communication of demand and supply issues to the Sales team.
Help prepare for monthly S&OP Demand Workshops and collaborate on implementing aligned strategies and demand-plan adjustments.
Collaborate with the S&OP team to manage performance for designated customer market channels and segment categories.
Support the team where there are gaps, including temporarily taking on new or additional responsibilities.
Provide training and support to Tier 1 team members.
Exhibit leadership, facilitation, and interpersonal skills while working across functional lines.
Participate in safety and health program activities, promptly report hazards and incidents, wear required personal protective equipment, and support safety committee activities.
Travel domestically as needed.