Purpose of Position:
The Demand Planning Manager is responsible for leading demand forecasting, inventory planning, and Open-to-Buy (OTB) management processes to ensure the organization maintains 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, expertise in demand planning methodologies, inventory optimization, and financial planning, with a proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and lead planning processes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Demand Forecasting & Planning
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- Develop and maintain short-, medium-, and long-range demand forecasts across products, categories, channels, customers, and regions.
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- Analyze historical sales, trends, seasonality, promotions, market conditions, and business drivers to improve forecast accuracy.
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- Utilize statistical forecasting models and business intelligence tools to create demand plans.
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- Monitor forecast performance and implement corrective actions to improve forecast accuracy and reduce bias.
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- Lead forecast reviews and facilitate consensus planning across stakeholders.
Open-to-Buy (OTB) Management
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- Develop and manage Open-to-Buy plans aligned with sales, inventory, margin, and financial objectives.
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- Monitor inventory investments against approved OTB budgets and recommend adjustments based on demand trends and business performance.
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- Lead all activities related to purchase order creation and maintenance
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- Support Merchandising and participate in key vendor meetings/strategy sessions.
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- Partner with Merchandising, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to optimize inventory allocation and purchasing decisions.
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- Analyze category, product, and channel performance to ensure proper inventory levels and reduce excess inventory.
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- Provide regular reporting on OTB utilization, inventory commitments, receipts, and projected inventory positions.
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- Identify risks and opportunities related to inventory investments and recommend mitigation plans.
Inventory & Supply Chain Planning
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- Collaborate with Supply Planning and Operations teams to align inventory availability with demand requirements.
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- Establish inventory targets, safety stock strategies, and replenishment parameters.
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- Balance inventory productivity, customer service levels, and working capital objectives.
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- Manage new product introductions, product transitions, and end-of-life inventory strategies.
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- Drive initiatives to reduce stock-outs, excess inventory, and obsolescence.
Data Analytics & Reporting
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- Create and maintain dashboards and KPIs to measure demand performance and inventory productivity.
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- Analyze forecast accuracy, inventory turns, fill rates, weeks of supply, OTB performance, and service levels.
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- Deliver executive-level insights and recommendations through data-driven analysis.
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- Support annual operating plans, financial forecasts, and budget processes.
Process Improvement
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- Continuously improving forecasting, inventory planning, and OTB management processes.
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- Identify opportunities for automation, system enhancements, and process standardization.
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- Lead implementation and optimization of forecasting and planning tools.
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- Establish best practices, governance, and planning discipline across the organization.
Team Leadership
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- Lead, coach, and develop demand planners or planning team members.
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- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
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- Establish clear performance objectives and development plans for team members.