Demand Planning Analyst

Aston Carter•Kent, WA

1d•$30 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The International Demand Planning Analyst supports end-to-end inventory and order management for a midsize distribution firm, with a strong focus on imports, purchase orders, inventory replenishment, vendor communication, shipment tracking, and ERP transactions in a distribution environment. This role ensures the right products are available at the right time by aligning purchase orders with demand trends, managing vendor relationships, and providing clear visibility of inbound international shipments and inventory status to internal stakeholders.

Requirements

3–5+ years of experience as a Supply Chain or Procurement Analyst, or in a similar demand planning, inventory, or purchasing role.
Hands-on experience with inventory management, inventory control, and inventory planning in a distribution or related environment.
Proven experience with purchase order creation, maintenance, tracking, and administration from creation through receipt.
Strong vendor management skills, including vendor communication, coordination on lead times, and follow-up on delivery commitments.
Experience supporting international shipments and inbound logistics, including coordination with freight forwarders.
Experience working with Free Trade Zone (FTZ) operations or Free Trade Zone compliance.
Proficiency with ERP systems, specifically experience with Acumatica.
Experience using NetStock or similar demand planning and inventory optimization tools.
Proficiency in Power BI for data analysis and reporting.
Advanced Excel skills, including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and other analytical functions.
Ability to analyze demand trends, customer forecasts, and operational needs to inform purchasing and replenishment decisions.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy in managing purchase orders, inventory records, and shipment information.
Effective communication skills to interact with vendors, internal departments, and logistics partners.
Ability to identify and escalate issues related to delays, discrepancies, or supply continuity in a timely manner.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a distribution environment with international shipments.
Familiarity with demand planning tools and processes, including NetStock and other inventory planning systems.
Experience with Free Trade Zone documentation, processes, and compliance requirements.
Exposure to buyer or purchasing functions, including pricing discussions and quantity adjustments.
Ability to use analytical tools and reports to support replenishment decisions and improve inventory performance.
Comfort working with multiple systems and data sources to maintain accurate purchase order and inventory information.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple open purchase orders and inbound shipments simultaneously.
Problem-solving mindset to investigate and resolve discrepancies between purchase orders, packing lists, and inventory records.

Responsibilities

Review inventory levels and run reports to determine appropriate purchase order release quantities.
Align purchase order releases with demand trends, customer forecasts, and production or operational needs to maintain optimal stock levels.
Maintain accurate purchase order data from creation through receipt, ensuring all information remains current and precise.
Monitor open purchase orders, identify delays or issues, and escalate concerns when necessary to prevent stockouts or disruptions.
Coordinate with vendors on product availability, lead times, and readiness to ship, ensuring commitments align with business needs.
Track vendor delivery commitments and follow up regularly to keep orders on schedule and minimize delays.
Support vendor onboarding by confirming product details and ensuring accurate system setup for new items and suppliers.
Assist in managing the direct import process by supporting documentation flow, coordinating with freight forwarders, and tracking inbound shipment status.
Monitor inbound freight, container schedules, and shipment milestones to provide accurate visibility and updates to internal departments.
Assist with non-stock purchases by confirming vendor details, tracking shipment timelines, and escalating delays or issues to the Purchasing Manager.
Assist with import documents, shipment details, and required filings related to international and Free Trade Zone (FTZ) activities.
Enter, maintain, and track purchase orders from creation through receipt in the ERP system.
Monitor open purchase orders and assist in releasing quantities based on inventory targets and operational requirements.
Expedite urgent or delayed orders to maintain continuity of supply and support customer service levels.
Collaborate with vendors and the Purchasing Manager on pricing, ship dates, and quantity changes to ensure accurate and timely updates.
Support receiving activities by confirming quantities of received items, building shipping receivers, and posting receipts to inventory.
Maintain accurate shipment and arrival information in Acumatica to support real-time visibility and reporting.
Help resolve discrepancies between purchase orders, packing lists, and inventory records by investigating and correcting data issues.
Utilize ERP tools, NetStock, Power BI, and advanced Excel functions such as VLOOKUP and pivot tables to analyze demand, inventory, and purchasing data.
Contribute to inventory planning, inventory control, and replenishment strategies, particularly for international shipments and Free Trade Zone operations.