Job Title: Inventory Planning / Forecasting 

Job Overview:

The Inventory Planner is responsible for the accurate forecasting of product demand, leveraging input from internal Retail, Wholesale and Procurement teams.

The role requires a team oriented, analytical and interpretive individual with strong process and systems skills. This position involves in-depth analysis of retail/wholesale sales results, identifying market trends as well as a solid understanding of customer demand. The demand planner is expected to have a solid understanding of forecasting. This role entails working and communicating with multiple internal stake holders.

Job Responsibilities:

• Initiate and develop strong relationships with cross functional teams building intimate knowledge of the business, and being relied on as a trusted advisor.
• Lead / Facilitate demand reviews to deliver an unbiased and unconstrained view of the demand feeding operational planning.
• Responsible to ensure full meeting preparation; presentation of consolidated and accurate information along with well-articulated messaging to support and drive discussion, decisions and actions; bring forward key decisions / actions.
• Identify risks, opportunities and any critical business decisions, escalating whenever necessary to support company objectives. 
• Analysis of sales, inventory, trends, other internal data.
• Taking pro-active measures to drive optimal supply chain performance.
• Evaluate and measure forecast accuracy and bias results against objectives.
• Lead / Facilitate process change and continuous improvement initiatives with demand planning and cross functional teams.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate Degree - business, supply chain, or financial background
• Strong Analytical Skills and affinity for numbers
• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
• Strong understanding of forecasting processes
• Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively, acting with a strong sense of urgency
• Strong self-initiative to operate independently
• Resolves business challenges using creative problem solving skills
• Advanced MS Excel skill set
• Knowledge of an ERP such as SAP, JDE, Sage or Epicor is an asset

Competencies:
 

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: able to relate well to a variety of individuals and build relationships with internal stakeholders. Conveys information in a clear and concise manner and seeks to clarify understanding. Confident and can justify decisions made.
• Intellectual: strong analytical skills; able to deal with concepts and complexity comfortably.
• Problem Solving: uses rigorous logic and analytical methods to trouble-shoot problems. Can see hidden problems and probes multiple sources for answers.
• Leadership: openly shares knowledge with others and is able to influence effectively.
• Drive for Results: works hard to achieve objectives and seizes opportunities for improvements.
• Stand Alone: displays professional confidence and a willingness to justify positions when challenged or in support of other views.
• Business Acumen: knows how the business works, knowledgeable in current and future policies, practices and trends.
• Customer Focus: is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers.
• Priority Setting: is able to strategically eliminate roadblocks.
   

Education:
 

• APICS CSCP certification (**required**)
• Undergraduate Degree (BA, BSc, BComm, OR related disciplines)