Demand Planner

Dick Blick Holdings - Galesburg, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Galesburg, IL

Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers

About the position

As a Demand Planner at Blick Art Materials, you will play a crucial role in overseeing the purchasing functions for a select group of vendors that supply our retail stores and distribution centers. You will work closely with the Senior Demand Planner to utilize the JDAMMS and AWRE3CW systems effectively, ensuring that our inventory levels are optimized and that our purchasing processes are streamlined. This position is essential for maintaining the flow of products to our stores and distribution centers, and it requires a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving. In this role, you will report directly to the Senior Inventory Planner and will be responsible for developing departmental guidelines and metrics that will help improve the performance of Inventory Planner Assistants. You will coordinate all functions of the JDAMMS and E3CW purchasing systems for your assigned vendors, ensuring timely execution of weekly replenishment orders and the review of Distribution Center orders. Your ability to create purchase orders as needed and work with vendors to resolve discrepancies will be vital to maintaining our supply chain efficiency. You will also be tasked with expediting orders to stores and distribution centers, processing Retail Implementation Cards (RIC) from start to finish, and suggesting replenishment adjustments based on sales trends. Collaboration with the Inventory Planner Assistant will be key in following up on back-orders and ensuring timely updates of due dates. Additionally, you will coordinate buys for promotions and conduct physical inventory reviews, all while reporting vendor statuses to the Senior Inventory Planner and upper management. This position may also involve other duties as assigned by the VP of Purchasing or the Senior Inventory Planner.

Responsibilities

• Oversee purchasing functions for a group of vendors stocking retail stores and distribution centers.
• Work with Senior Inventory Planner to develop departmental guidelines and metrics for Inventory Planner Assistants.
• Coordinate all functions of JDAMMS & E3CW purchasing system for assigned vendors.
• Execute weekly replenishment and review Distribution Center orders in a timely manner.
• Create purchase orders as needed.
• Work with vendors to correct purchase order discrepancies (price, product, etc.).
• Resolve issues with product supply in collaboration with vendors.
• Expedite orders to stores and distribution centers.
• Process Retail Implementation Cards (RIC) from start to finish, including getting product to store and setting up min-max for replenishment.
• Suggest and implement replenishment adjustments based on sales trends.
• Coordinate with Inventory Planner Assistant to follow up on back-orders and update due dates.
• Coordinate buys for promotions (featured products, sales flyers, etc.).
• Conduct Distribution Center vs Direct reviews to ensure optimal ordering strategies.
• Report vendor statuses to Senior Inventory Planner and upper management.
• Conduct physical inventory reviews.
• Perform other duties as assigned by VP of Purchasing or Senior Inventory Planner.

Requirements

• High School Diploma required; Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Previous purchasing experience is a plus.
• Proficiency in personal computers, especially Windows, including Word and Excel.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills, teamwork skills, and organizational skills.
• Ability to train and support AS400 computer programs, AWR E3, and PC-based programs.
• Ability to handle and coordinate multiple tasks at once.
• Ability to work well alone or with others with minimal supervision.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401K & Profit Sharing Plan
• Incentive Bonus Plans
• Paid Holidays & Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Training Opportunities
• Basic & Optional Life Insurance
• Employee Discount