Company Overview
Sports are powerful. They inspire us to come together as a team, to push our limits, to grow in strength, to achieve what we didn’t think possible. At Mizuno, we believe there is potential in everyone to transform their life through dedication to sport. And we believe through our combined love of sports, we can make the world a better place. WE ARE MIZUNO
About the job
Basics
Job Title: Demand Planner
Reports To: Supply Chain Manager
Direct Reports: No
Location: Atlanta Metropolitan Area (hybrid)
Summary
The responsibilities of the Demand Planner include sales forecasting at the product and customer level, as well as inventory analysis and management. This position works closely with business unit managers and other key stakeholders, and is responsible for continuously improving forecasting models, leveraging qualitative and quantitative analytics.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Demand Planner’s areas of responsibility include:
Forecast Management… use statistical and historical trends, demand drivers, and institutional knowledge to develop and maintain demand forecasts at multiple levels of aggregations for 12+ month periods, to support the Sales & Operation process.
Product Management… together with Brand Managers, the Demand Planner manages the product portfolio, including life cycle management, product segmentation, and SKU rationalization.
Inventory Management… develop inventory targets, safety stock, and re-order points to optimize inventory turns and service levels, closely monitoring the health of the inventory and resolving product shortages and slow-moving, aged, or excess inventory.
Sales and Operations Meetings… lead periodic demand meetings to develop consensus-based constrained/unconstrained sales volume plans and document changes in demand from demand drivers and other assignable causes.
The Demand Planner will perform specific tasks like the following:
Work closely with Brand Managers to ensure on-time launch of new products
Monitor product life cycle milestones upstream (product creation) and downstream (stocking type management) and ensure timely set-up of new models in JD Edwards and DSX (Demand Solutions planning software)
Develop and maintain planning parameters (e.g. successor/predecessor relationships, inventory targets, safety stock/time, re-order points)
Develop, in collaboration with the Brand Managers, a sales forecast at the style/style color/SKU level by analyzing historical trends, and make appropriate revisions to the plans based on vs. actual sales patterns
Evaluate forecast performance and provide recommendations for corrective actions
Balance supply and demand by reflecting constraints into the sales plan and communicate product shortages to Marketing and Sales
Review with the Brand Managers and Sales the excess inventory issues
Use and maintain DSX (Demand Solutions planning software) as the primary forecasting system tool
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a concentration in Sales and Operations Planning or Supply Chain Management, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience
Experience in a consumer goods and/or sporting goods environment preferred
Experience in an import environment
Experience in a high SKU environment (800-1,000 styles)
Demand Solutions and JDE experience desired
Demonstrated results in forecast management activities
Strong analytical and critical thinking ability is a must
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence without authority, gain buy-in, resolve conflict, and drive consensus
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with internal/external parties
Commitment to playing as a supportive team in a multi-cultural environment
Physical Demands/Essential Functions
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer in an open office environment.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
How to Apply:
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