Demand Planning Analyst

Blain's Farm & Fleet • Janesville, WI

9d

About The Position

The Demand Planning Analyst is responsible for short- and long-term demand planning and forecasting, ensuring promotional quantities support advertised demand and inventory flows efficiently to stores to maximize service levels and corporate performance goals. The role uses replenishment systems to order products from vendors and warehouses and generates purchase orders that support in-stock strategies for key merchandise categories, items, and vendors.

The analyst communicates with stores about stock issues and customer requests, including rain checks and special orders; reviews vendor performance to identify opportunities to improve lead times and fill rates and prevent stock-outs; and collaborates with the Manager to monitor and adjust demand plans using exception reporting. The role develops forecasts from sales history, market trends, sell-through, and seasonal shifts; works with the merchant team to set up new items in the replenishment system; and analyzes root causes of out-of-stocks and possible solutions. It also supports availability goals for “never out” and top-ranked corporate SKUs, attends product knowledge seminars as assigned, assists at Grand Opening events as appropriate, and performs other duties as assigned. Travel is up to 10%.

Requirements

• Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office software.
• 3–5 years of experience in retail, supply chain, or a related area.
• Knowledge of inventory metrics.
• Understanding of ladder planning principles and their application to accurate forecasting.
• Strong math skills and ability to analyze statistics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and follow-up skills.
• Excellent time-management and organizational skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for establishing and maintaining strong relationships with vendors, store teams, and management.

Responsibilities

• Manage short- and long-term demand planning and forecasting.
• Ensure promotional quantities are sufficient to support advertised demand.
• Ensure efficient inventory flow to stores to maximize service levels and corporate performance goals.
• Use the replenishment system to order products from vendors and the warehouse.
• Generate purchase orders for inventory fulfillment in support of in-stock strategies for key merchandise categories, items, and vendors.
• Communicate with stores about stock issues and customer requests, including rain checks and special orders.
• Review vendor performance to identify opportunities to improve lead times and fill rates and prevent stock-outs.
• Collaborate with the Manager to monitor and adjust the demand plan using exception reporting.
• Create demand forecasts using sales history, market trends, sell-through, and seasonal shifts.
• Collaborate with the merchant team to set up new items in the replenishment system.
• Analyze data to identify root causes of out-of-stocks and offer solutions.
• Support inventory availability goals for “never out” SKUs and top-ranked corporate SKUs.
• Attend product knowledge seminars as assigned.
• Attend Grand Opening events and assist as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Travel up to 10%.

Benefits

• Medical, prescription, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, ancillary benefits, identity theft protection, and pet insurance, among other benefits, effective on the 91st day of full-time employment.
• Major holidays and birthday off.
• Advanced Leadership Training Programs.
• Associate discount on name brands.
• Internal recognition programs.
• 401(k) with company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed