Demand Planner

Ulta Beauty, Inc.•Bolingbrook, IL

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Demand Planner manages all aspects of demand forecasting and inventory planning across a portfolio of brands. This role serves as a key cross-functional partner, aligning stakeholders to improve forecast accuracy and drive end-to-end inventory performance. Additionally, this position supports enterprise initiatives to advance Ulta Beauty and the Merchandise Planning organization through more efficient, collaborative ways of working.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Business Analytics, Supply Chain, or a related field (MBA or Master’s preferred)
4+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or inventory management in a retail environment
Advanced proficiency in demand planning systems (e.g., Manhattan DFIO, SAP APO, o9, Blue Yonder, Kinaxis, Anaplan)
Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, actionable insights
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and intellectually curious, with a strong ability to make proactive recommendations

Responsibilities

Develop, manage, and continuously refine demand forecasts and order projections using historical sales, market trends, and promotional insights; adjust forecasting parameters to improve accuracy
Support short- and long-term demand planning by aligning SKU-level forecasts with category and seasonal targets; identify and communicate risks and opportunities with clear root-cause insights
Partner with Merchandise Financial Planning and Inventory teams to evaluate forecasts and order projections, ensuring alignment to financial plans and efficient inventory flow
Deliver data-driven insights on forecast and order changes, enabling informed decisions with clear financial and margin implications
Utilize data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI) to translate complex data into actionable insights for leadership
Analyze and reconcile forecast variances, identify key drivers, and recommend actions to improve accuracy and business outcomes
Anticipate downstream impacts of decisions across the end-to-end planning process and proactively address risks
Evaluate trends and recommend, lead, or support new ways of working in an evolving, and at times ambiguous, environment
Champion a customer-first mindset by clearly defining business problems, success metrics, and measurement approaches across stakeholders
Provide data-driven recommendations to improve supply chain efficiency and financial performance
Identify opportunities to enhance forecasting methodologies, tools, and automation