Demand Planner

ARMADA Supply Chain Solutions•Fox Chapel, PA

About The Position

This position is a highly analytical supply chain role that is responsible for establishing sales forecasts and inventory targets for key strategic clients, as well as for developing demand plans that enable the Inventory Management department to meet inventory and service objectives. The Demand Planner maintains forecast models by exception, leveraging system generated recommendations as well as business intelligence gathered internally (Account Management, Field Services, Client Support, Supply Planning) and externally (Armada clients, external promotions management companies). This person is also responsible for the development and implementation of sustainable and scalable solutions related to inventory management within a redistribution environment.

Requirements

2-5 years of inventory management experience and/or proven mastery of business analytics as it relates to inventory management
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, or other relevant discipline OR 5 years of relevant experience
Strong analytical abilities and attention to detail
Experience using inventory management software (ie RockySoft, SAP, Manugistics, etc)
Experience using data mining software to pull data, build reports and make business decisions/recommendations (ie COGNOS)
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact cross-functionally, with higher-level management, and with external clients
Extensive use of Excel and/or Access
Strong project management and process development skills
Ability to set priorities and make decisions in a dynamic work environment
Action oriented, with good problem solving, analytical, and math skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in product redistribution
Experience planning product with shelf life (ie perishables such as food)
Experience planning product with varied lead times (ie international as well as domestic suppliers)
Experience planning promotional product and limited time offerings

Responsibilities

Understands the implications and influence of Supply Planners and is able to drive effective communication and action with supply planning staff
Assemble and analyze all data pertinent to creating the sales forecast (historical sales, market trends, seasonality, promotions, and inventory levels)
Continuously improve forecasting techniques, methods, and approach by quantifying data pulls and recommending solutions
Determine best methods to improve forecast accuracy
Coordinate cross-functional research activities to reconcile significant variances and refine the forecast model to reflect updated customer demand assumptions
Understand how promotional activity, new product distribution, and seasonality impact volume fluctuations
Collaborate with Supply Planning to design, track, and report on promotions
Work cross functionally with Supply Planning in developing proper stocking strategies
Build and maintain relevant reports pertaining to Demand Planning processes
Become “super user” of RockySoft tool and provide corresponding support to Supply Planning
Actively participate in design, testing, and implementation of RockySoft upgrades and feature enhancements
Actively participate in design, testing, and implementation of new tools
Interact as appropriate with Field Services, Client Support, and Account Management to attain business intelligence vital to developing the most accurate forecast
Interact as necessary with other departments (Transportation, Warehouse Ops, Finance, Engineering) to provide forecast information relevant to their respective areas
Participate in and support new customer integration activities
Manage the Demand Planning function within the financial budgets and assist with budget development
Identify continuous improvement opportunities in Demand Planning
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for Demand Planning processes and systems
Lead or participate on project teams as required
Perform root cause analysis in developing corrective action plans
Develop and manage to relevant KPI’s to support and measure the business
Assess technology requirements needed to support current or proposed business
Other duties as assigned