Demand Planner

Griffin Resources is seeking a skilled Demand Planner to join our team at Heinemann Americas, Inc. As a Demand Planner, you will play a critical role in driving merchandise sales through inventory efficiency across all categories.

• Prepare background information to support sales forecasting and planning
• Plan and execute purchase orders to global suppliers, ensuring timely delivery and optimal inventory levels
• Maintain Purchase Order Status within SAP, ensuring accuracy and efficiency
• Proactively report product availability issues and work on solutions to minimize disruptions
• Analyze inventories and optimize turns, reduce waste, and improve customer service
• Analyze and optimize fill rate, lead time variability, and sourcing cost
• Actively participate in monthly/weekly meetings, providing analysis and insights to drive business decisions
• Anticipate demand and propose changes to current forecast/purchase orders to ensure alignment with business goals
• Work with suppliers to maintain and adhere to vendor performance metrics, ensuring high-quality products and services
• Communicate regularly with suppliers to discuss metrics, provide performance feedback, and forecasts
• Continuously look for improvements within operations, identifying areas for process enhancements and cost savings
• Proactively work with cross-functional teams to understand efficiencies and manage expectations, ensuring seamless collaboration and communication
• Analyze and provide inventory status reports, highlighting key trends and insights
• Assist in preparation and maintenance of open-to-buy (OTB) to ensure alignment with financial budget and sales budget
• Communicate the state of the business in monthly sales meetings and monthly OTB meetings, providing clear and concise updates
• Recommend strategic actions to maximize sales and margin, optimize inventory, and mitigate risk, collaborating with critical partners to ensure execution of strategies
• Partner with merchandising and logistics on timely delivery of key product groups and identification of risk associated with deliveries and route to market
• Collaborate on pricing and costing initiatives, liability management, and replenishment programs

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, or related field, or minimum 5 years of relevant experience
• Minimum of 3 years of Supply Chain (planning & procurement) experience
• SAP knowledge preferred (ERP, F&R)
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (oral & written)
• Self-starter with ability to work independently under pressure and react quickly to changing priorities
• Proficient in MS Excel
• Retail planning experience working for big box or specialty retail chain preferred