Demand Planner

Ferguson Enterprises - Newport News, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

Newport News, VA

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods

About the position

The Demand Planner at Jones Stephens plays a crucial role in managing a subset of the company's demand forecast. This position requires a data-driven approach, utilizing statistical information combined with insights from various inputs such as financial plans, market plans, sales plans, and industry data to achieve an unbiased consensus among all stakeholders. The Demand Planner must possess a strong understanding of data, including different levels of hierarchy forecasts, forecast error, and the various drivers and statistics that can help minimize bias in forecasting. This role is essential in challenging assumptions made by other functions, ensuring that the demand planning process is robust and reliable. In this hybrid role, the Demand Planner will be based out of one of the specified offices in Newport News, VA; Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Moody, AL; or City of Industry, CA, following the Jones Stephens Flex schedule. The position typically requires three days in the office (usually Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and two days remote (usually Monday and Friday). To be successful, candidates must be within daily commuting distance to one of these locations. The Demand Planner will be responsible for developing a rolling 18-month baseline forecast using demand planning software and statistical forecasting techniques. This includes collaborating with various departments such as Category Management, Marketing, Business Leaders, Sales, Supply Chain, and Finance to adjust forecasts and reach consensus. The role also involves leading Demand Review meetings during the monthly S&OP cycle, coaching and mentoring the business unit on demand planning benefits, and running reports on forecast accuracy and bias. Additionally, the Demand Planner will participate in Annual and Strategic Planning activities, maintain documentation for demand planning processes, and collaborate with Supply Planning and the Replenishment team to optimize inventory flow.

Responsibilities

• Use Demand Planning software and statistical forecasting techniques to develop a rolling, 18 months baseline forecast.
• Follow a regimented monthly cadence to collaborate and collect input from Category Management, Marketing, Business Leaders, Sales, Supply Chain and Finance to adjust the forecast and reach consensus with all parties.
• Lead the assigned Demand Review meeting in the monthly S&OP cycle to report on all forecast changes, collaborate with participants and challenge areas of the forecast that do not align with the trends and analysis presented by the planning team.
• Serve as a coach and mentor to the business unit to educate the organization on the benefits of demand planning and S&OP.
• Run reporting on forecast accuracy, forecast bias and forecast evolution.
• Improve forecast accuracy by analyzing forecast error, recommending and implementing appropriate action plans.
• Participate in Annual Planning and Strategic Planning activities that impact the long-term plan for assigned categories.
• Maintain documentation and standard operating procedures for demand planning processes and systems.
• Collaborate with Supply Planning and the Replenishment team to optimize inventory flow to reduce risk, eliminate constraints and decrease lead times on key items.
• Participate in or lead projects related to data driven supply chain optimization, planning system improvements, master data strategy, etc.

Requirements

• 2+ years of demand planning experience preferred.
• 2+ years of S&OP, IBP, or related supply chain planning process preferred.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or related analytical subject area.
• Experience leading collaborative demand meetings, participating in a consensus process or involvement in an S&OP process.
• Excellent leadership, communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to scrutinize and break down facts and concepts in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong presentation skills and ability to build positive relationships across the organization.
• Ability to investigate and see the big picture within the same discussion.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Excel required. Advanced knowledge preferred.
• Solid understanding of Microsoft Office Access required.
• Logility Planning software experience highly preferred.
• SQL database skills a plus.
• PowerBI proficiency preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with data driven supply chain optimization projects.
• Familiarity with master data strategy and planning system improvements.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Retirement savings with company match
• Paid leave (vacation, sick, personal, holiday, and parental)
• Employee assistance programs
• Associate discounts
• Community involvement opportunities
• Bonus or Incentive Plan eligibility