Demand Planner - Forecasting and Planner

Purpose: We are seeking a Demand Planner to become an integral part of our growing team! As the Demand Planner, you will own inventory from beginning at job creation to end at point of sale. This position is responsible for ensuring correct inventory quantities are on hand at all distribution centers to support sales objectives. Forecast accuracy at a SKU/distribution center level is critical and demand planners constantly utilize demand planning system to assess forecasts and other inventory levers.A Demand Planner should be able to balance strong execution of the fundamental job responsibilities with strategy thought. The ability to dig in and find opportunities, articulate those opportunities, and then create strategies and action plans to address them is critical to personal success and long-term business growth.Primary Responsibilities:Demand Planning, Forecasting & SchedulingBuild and refine short-term and long-term demand forecasts at the SKU, customer, and sales channel levels, then develop actionable strategies to meet demand.Monitor forecast and inventory accuracy, explain variances, and continuously improve forecasting processes.Oversee the weekly production scheduleUse statistical tools and historical data to predict future demand and adjust for promotions and product seasonality shifts.Reporting & AnalysisAnalyze historical sales data, market trends and external factors to uncover growth opportunities and risks.Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership.Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on forecasting accuracy and data integrity.Cross-Functional AlignmentCollaborate with Sales, Marketing, Customer Service and Supply Chain to ensure forecasts align with brand strategies and inventory goals.Partner with Sales and Marketing Departments to incorporate customer insights, promotional calendars, and product launches into demand plans.Work with Production to align production plans with demand while minimizing excess inventory and OOS (Out of Stock) situations.Support new product introductions by forecasting initial demand and tracking post-launch performance.Other duties as deemed necessary by management. Minimum Requirements:5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, and sales planning within the retail, manufacturing, or CPG industryBachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Statistics, or a related field, or equivalent experience.Experience setting up ERP, MRP, WMS, and QMS systems.Experience in supply chain activities is highly desired, including warehouse & inventory management, supplier qualification and negotiationExperience developing demand forecasting models from the ground up.Advanced analytical skills and confidence working in Excel, plus experience using tools like Tableau, Omni, PowerBI, or similar platforms to turn data into actionable insights.Strong communication and collaboration abilities, with a track record of working effectively across departments.A solid understanding of retail business drivers including pricing, promotions, and assortment strategies.A proactive, problem-solving mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.Ability to learn cGMP and related best practices.