Planning Analyst

Les Schwab Tire Centers • Bend, OR

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Planning Analyst is responsible for accelerating the integration of advanced analytics, statistical modeling, and data science methodologies into the core inventory planning processes. Acting as the technical engine of the planning department, this role focuses on converting complex datasets into actionable forecasting and optimization models, enhancing the predictability of the supply chain. This position works closely with Inventory Planners to institutionalize data-driven decision-making, optimize modern planning software capabilities, and elevate the technical sophistication of the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process through predictive analytics and simulation modeling.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Data Science, Statistics, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, or a highly quantitative field.
• 3+ years of experience in supply chain planning, demand forecasting, or inventory management, with a clear and proven track record of deploying analytical or programmatic solutions to business problems.
• Proficiency in SQL, Python, or R for statistical modeling, process automation, and data pipeline management.
• Strong working knowledge of advanced data visualization tools such as Tableau, Thoughtspot, or Power BI.
• Experience with inventory planning tools, ERP, and WMS.
• Demonstrated track record of intellectual curiosity and exceptional problem-solving skills with the ability to dive deep into large, messy datasets, identify anomalies, and formulate creative solutions.
• Ability to translate complex statistical and data science concepts into clear, actionable business language for planners, operational teams, and executive leadership.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate across planning, purchasing, warehousing, operations, finance, and technical teams.

Nice To Haves

• A Master’s degree or specialized certification (e.g., ASCM/APICS CSCP, CPIM, or Certified Analytics Professional) is a strong plus.
• Experience with Blue Yonder supply chain solutions is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and maintain advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms to improve demand forecasting accuracy, safety stock parameters, and lead-time variability.
• Run inventory optimization analyses to determine the most cost-effective positioning of stock across warehouses, minimizing total holding costs while preserving fill rates.
• Seamlessly integrate advanced analytical scripts (e.g., Python, advanced SQL queries) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Thoughtspot) into standard, repetitive planning workflows to automate and elevate routine processes.
• Design, build, and maintain automated dashboards to track critical inventory performance metrics such as days inventory on hand, fill rates, forecast bias, and stock accuracy, ensuring data integrity across all reports.
• Provide deep-dive predictive analytics and scenario-based simulations for S&OP meetings, visualizing the long-term impacts of inventory constraints, market volatility, or supply chain disruptions.
• Translate highly complex, ambiguous data anomalies into clear, concise, and actionable business recommendations for Inventory Planners and management to mitigate excess stock or shortages.
• Serve as the technical super-user for modern supply chain planning software, unlocking advanced capabilities, tuning optimization algorithms, and configuring workflows to better reflect business realities.
• Collaborate closely with data and business operations teams to ensure underlying data infrastructure and data pipelines perfectly support the requirements of the inventory planning models.
• Develop planning frameworks with suppliers, business partners, and public domain sources (e.g., NOAA) to bring extended data sets and relevant information to the planning process.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level