Senior Demand Planner

Wolverine Worldwide•Rockford, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Merrell exists to share the simple power of being outside with everyone. We believe the "outdoors" is a much broader space than just the mountain summit; it’s any space beyond your front door. Our mission is to help our community rethink the outdoors by building gear that works everywhere, from technical alpine ridges to urban city streets. We don't just follow the trail; we help define where it goes next. We are a team that lives at the intersection of elite performance and modern style. Our history on the trail and commitment to innovation has made us the most awarded brand in the outdoor space. Recently, our MTL SpeedARC Peak won the prestigious ISPO Award for its breakthrough trail-racing tech, while the SpeedARC Surge BOA was named one of TIME’s Best Inventions for its modern, futuristic design and energy return. Whether it’s the Moab 3 being named “Best Hiking Shoe” by CNN Underscored and Popular Mechanics, or the Jungle Moc being recognized by HuffPicks as the gold standard for comfort, we are consistently recognized for building the most reliable, and most innovative, gear in the world. The Senior Demand Planner will be highly proficient in creating and executing demand forecasts as part of the integrated business planning cycle. The Senior Demand Planner will be responsible for the material level forecasting for product categories in multiple distribution channels. The Senior Demand Planner will lead the forecasting process, collaborating with cross-functional partners. The Senior Demand Planner is expected to create a demand plan in alignment with Brand financial targets.

Requirements

4-year bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
5+ years’ experience in conducting demand planning, trend forecasting, statistical modeling, data analysis or business planning.
Advanced MS Excel skills: demonstrated ability to quickly manipulate large raw data sets to produce reporting that is intuitive and easy to read/understand, advanced formulas and experience in statistical modeling (e.g., regression analysis), trend analysis, scenario testing is preferred.
Experience with BI tools and Data Mining required, while SQL and MS Access or other Database skills preferred
Question data anomalies and pressure tests assumptions to drive to higher levels of data fidelity and organizational acceptance.
Developed understanding and appreciation of supply chain functions, dependencies and systems
Highly analytical with critical thinking mindset
Attention to detail and accuracy on multiple projects under time pressure
Ability to quickly adapt in a highly collaborative environment and team player

Responsibilities

Key partner with the Product, Sales and Finance teams to achieve single orientation on demand and to assure seasonal launches are successful and in alignment with Brand’s strategic initiatives.
Develop demand forecast at the material level and DC location based on sales forecast, revenue plan, historical data and insights, promotion planning and phase in/phase out information from Sales Planning, Merchandising along with other market insights.
Utilize historical sales data, market trends, order book analysis, and seasonality to accurately forecast future product demand.
Partner with Inventory Planning in stock planning activities, reactive to demand fluctuation and supply chain flexibility.
Analyze forecast aggregation and disaggregation & provide insights for demand requirement.
Lead demand planning processes and root cause analysis to improve forecast accuracy.
Review and analyze ad hoc reporting to maximize forecast accuracy and achieve business objectives, and maintain KPIs such as sales forecast accuracy and forecast bias.
Consolidate carryover, newness, and end of life forecasts monthly for a combined stock level forecast.
Contribute recommendations to and participate in monthly alignment meetings with sales, marketing, PLM and finance teams to ensure reconciliation of demand plan to business needs and financial plans.
Work closely with sales, marketing, and other teams to understand Go-To-Market activities and align demand forecasts with production and inventory strategies, bridging the gap between Sales and Operations.
Inform Supply Chain on anticipated demand changes or potential opportunities likely to be of an exceptional nature.
Perform duties consistent with the Company’s AAP/EEO goals and policies.
Perform other duties as required/assigned by manager.