Senior Demand & Business Planning Manager

PUMA•Carlsbad, NM

About The Position

This role is an individual contributor level. The Senior Demand and Business Planning Manager will develop the seasonal inventory forecasts for footwear, apparel, and accessories using and creating forecasting tools, analysis, and re-alignment. The role is responsible for consolidating and communicating the forecast to senior leadership in merchandising, product management, and sales/sales operations. It involves working cross-functionally with sales management and merchandising to align inventory forecasts with key product initiatives and distribution plans. The manager will be a key stakeholder in monthly finance meetings to review on-hand inventory and future forecasted inventory, and will analyze seasonal bookings against forecasts to provide strategic guidance for future products. Direct collaboration with key account managers and sales leaders is required to ensure inventory is properly planned in accordance with customer needs, and to communicate forecasting and replenishment strategies to support channel distribution. The role also includes reporting on category bi-monthly inventory purchases in accordance with sourcing guidelines and global alignment with Puma regions, and working closely with procurement to ensure inventory purchases align with Go-To Market plans and product launch timelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
5-7 years of experience in planning, forecasting and/or supply chain management
Strong working knowledge of merchandising, forecasting, and retail processes
Ability to follow specific direction, adhere to deadlines, address all internal stake holders in a timely manner
Naturally entrepreneurial and inquisitive, solution-oriented with the ability to present actionable recommendations
Ability to develop strong working relationships with all internal and external partners
Ability to prioritize workloads, manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities
Advanced knowledge of Excel; highly competent with Microsoft Office Suite
Industry and Market Knowledge
Strong analytical and communication skills

Responsibilities

Develop the seasonal inventory forecasts for footwear, apparel, and accessories using and creating forecasting tools, analysis, and re-alignment
Consolidate and communicate the forecast to senior leadership in merchandising, product management, and sales / sales operations
Work cross functionally with sales management and merchandising to ensure the inventory forecast is strategically planned to key product initiatives and relevant to distribution plans
Be the key stake holder at monthly meetings with finance to review on hand inventory and future forecasted inventory
Review and analyze seasonal bookings against forecast / inventory to communicate action plans and provide strategic guidance for future products
Work directly with key account managers and sales leaders across the organization to ensure inventory is properly planned in accordance with customer needs
Communicate forecasting and replenishment strategies to support channel distribution
Responsible for reporting on category bi-monthly inventory purchases in accordance to sourcing guidelines along with Puma regions for global alignment
Work directly and closely with procurement to ensure inventory is bought in accordance with Go-To Market plans and submitted on deadlines; must review development sign offs to ensure product launch timelines