Demand Planner

Dick Blick Holdings - Highland Park, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Highland Park, 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. Your responsibilities will include the timely execution of weekly replenishment orders, reviewing distribution center orders, and creating purchase orders as needed. You will also be responsible for resolving discrepancies with vendors regarding purchase orders, expediting orders to stores and distribution centers, and processing Retail Implementation Cards (RIC) from start to finish. In this position, you will collaborate with the Senior Inventory Planner to develop departmental guidelines and metrics aimed at improving the performance of Inventory Planner Assistants. You will coordinate with various teams to ensure that replenishment adjustments are made based on sales trends and will be involved in coordinating buys for promotions, ensuring that our ordering strategies are optimal. Reporting on vendor statuses to the Senior Inventory Planner and upper management will also be a key part of your role, along with conducting physical inventory reviews and performing other duties as assigned by the VP of Purchasing or Senior Inventory Planner.

Responsibilities

• Oversee purchasing functions for a group of vendors stocking retail stores and distribution centers.
• Work with Senior Inventory Planner to streamline and improve processes within the Inventory Control Department.
• Develop departmental guidelines and metrics for Inventory Planner Assistants to improve performance.
• 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 and work with vendors to correct discrepancies.
• Resolve issues with product supply and expedite orders to stores and distribution centers.
• Process Retail Implementation Cards (RIC) from start to finish, including 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 and ensure optimal ordering strategies through Distribution Center vs Direct reviews.
• Report vendor statuses to Senior Inventory Planner and upper management.
• Conduct physical inventory reviews and perform other duties as assigned.

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