Demand Planner

Zwiesel Fortessa Americas LLC•Ashburn, VA

12h

About The Position

The Supply Chain Analyst at Zwiesel Fortessa America is a key role responsible for the precise and proactive execution of global supply planning activities, within the company’s open-to-buy financial parameters. Serving as a primary operational liaison with overseas manufacturers, this role embodies Zwiesel Fortessa’s professionalism, reliability, and collaborative spirit. The analyst interacts cross-functionally and internationally to ensure accurate fulfillment of supply objectives while upholding exceptional standards of detail, communication, and data integrity. The individual will work closely with Product, Sales, Finance, and Operations to understand future volume requirements and production constraints, leveraging these analyses to effectively release replenishment orders. This position supports Zwiesel Fortessa America’s mission to deliver industry-leading service and supply performance for customers worldwide.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; preferred in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, Logistics, or related field.
3–5 years of relevant experience in supply planning, inventory management, or operational analysis, ideally in consumer goods or manufacturing environments.
Demonstrated success executing purchase orders, managing vendor relationships, and optimizing inventory positions in a global supply setting.
Strong organizational and supply planning skills with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
Clear, concise communicator—capable of effective written and verbal collaboration across departments, cultures, and time zones.
Demonstrates cultural awareness and collaborates effectively in a diverse, global workforce.
Proficient in Microsoft Office; advanced expertise in Excel and experience with data analysis tools.
Skilled with ERP and supply chain management systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite); experience with business intelligence (BI) or reporting systems preferred.
Comfortable navigating demand planning, inventory management, or supply planning software.
Familiarity with collaborative tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Teams, Asana) for cross-functional project tracking and updates.
Occasional domestic and international travel may be required to meet with suppliers or attend business meetings.
Ability to work beyond standard hours during critical purchasing or planning cycles; reasonable accommodations apply.
Ability to lift and handle product or packaging samples (up to 40lbs) as needed for supply planning reviews and quality checks, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Proactive, detail-oriented problem solver with strong follow-through and analytical rigor.
Collaborative team player able to communicate and adapt style across levels, functions, cultures, and backgrounds.
Commercially minded; understands the connection between purchasing, inventory, cash flow, and operational results, and balances cost, service, and profit goals.
Embraces and champions organizational change to improve supply chain agility and business outcomes.
Adaptable, self-motivated, and focused in a dynamic, globally connected environment.
Consistently demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and data integrity in every interaction.

Responsibilities

Own and Execute Supply & Inventory Planning
Manage global production schedules, order cycles, inventory levels, and supplier lead times with critical attention to detail—always within ZFA open-to-buy financial guidelines.
Maintain accurate, detail-oriented supply plans aligned with demand forecasts, product launches, and leadership objectives.
Closely monitor supply metrics (order fill rate, lead times, supplier performance) and take proactive action when targets are at risk to ensure financial and operational success.
Partner across Product, Sales, Finance and Operations team to analyze future volume requirements and production constraints; leverage these insights to time and release replenishment orders for inventory optimization and uninterrupted supply.
Communicate and collaborate to resolve conflicts between demand projections and supply capabilities, aligning efforts with company goals.
Own identification of supply chain risks, including delays, capacity issues, or supplier performance shortfalls, and escalate promptly to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders with actionable solution-based recommendations.
Manage Supplier Relationships and Cross-Functional Communication
Serve as a Zwiesel Fortessa’s primary point of contact for overseas manufacturers, building and sustaining productive partnerships that meet quality, delivery, and service standards.
Maintain a thorough understanding of Zwiesel Fortessa’s product and vendor specifications, keeping up to date on the goods and services to be purchased to ensure orders are accurate and requirements are met.
Demonstrate adaptable communication skills to navigate diverse cultural and business environments, engaging with Product, Vendor Compliance, Finance, and Operations teams and global time zones.
Conduct regular supplier reviews, identify improvement opportunities, and implement corrective actions alongside internal and external partners.
Drive Data Integrity, Problem Solving, and Continuous Improvement
Rigorously analyze supply chain and forecast data to identify risks, bottlenecks, and process gaps; develop actionable solutions to enhance reliability, cost-effectiveness, and support financial planning.
Ensure precise and timely documentation of all supply planning activities, transactions, and vendor communications, maintaining the highest standards of systems’ data integrity and regulatory compliance.
Prepare and present KPIs and insights for leadership to support financially responsible, data-driven decisions.
Lead and implement process enhancements using industry’s best practices and technology to drive efficiency, agility, cost control, and continuous improvement across the supply planning function.