Purpose of Position:
The Demand Planner is responsible for demand forecasting, inventory planning, and Open-to-Buy (OTB) management to ensure the assigned categories maintain optimal inventory levels while achieving sales, margin, and service objectives. This role partners closely with Merchandising, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to develop accurate forecasts, drive inventory investments, and support strategic business growth through data-driven planning decisions.
The ideal candidate brings a strong analytical background, deep understanding of retail math, expertise in demand planning methodologies, inventory optimization, and financial planning, with a proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Demand Forecasting & Planning
- Develop and maintain short-, medium-, and long-range demand forecasts across products, categories, channels, customers, and regions.
- Analyze historical sales, trends, seasonality, promotions, market conditions, and business drivers to improve forecast accuracy.
- Monitor forecast performance and implement corrective actions to improve forecast accuracy and reduce bias.
- Partner with Merchandising, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to optimize inventory allocation and purchasing decisions.
Open-to-Buy (OTB) Management
- Develop and manage Open-to-Buy plans aligned with sales, inventory, margin, and financial objectives.
- Monitor inventory investments against approved OTB budgets and recommend adjustments based on demand trends and business performance.
- Provide regular reporting on OTB utilization, inventory commitments, receipts, and projected inventory positions.
- Identify risks and opportunities related to inventory investments and recommend mitigation plans.
Inventory & Supply Chain Planning
- Collaborate with Supply Planning and Operations teams to align inventory availability with demand requirements.
- Establish inventory targets, safety stock strategies, and replenishment parameters.
- Balance inventory productivity, customer service levels, and working capital objectives.
- Manage new product introductions, product transitions, and end-of-life inventory strategies.
- Drive initiatives to reduce stock-outs, excess inventory, and obsolescence.
- Lead all activities related to purchase order creation and maintenance
Data Analytics & Reporting
- Analyze weekly reporting dashboards and KPIs to measure demand performance and inventory productivity.
- Support annual operating plans, financial forecasts, and budget processes.
- Deliver category insights and recommendations through data-driven analysis.
- Support Merchandising and participate in key vendor meetings/strategy sessions.
- Analyze category, product, and channel performance to ensure proper inventory levels and reduce excess inventory.
Process Improvement
- Continuously improving forecasting, inventory planning, and OTB management processes.
- Identify opportunities for automation, system enhancements, and process standardization.