Demand and Supply Planner

About Sound United:

Sound United LLC, parent company to Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, and Polk BOOM, announced on February 28, 2017 that it had completed the acquisition of the D M Group, owner of the Denon, HEOS by Denon, Marantz, and Boston Acoustics brands.  The D M Group is the largest supplier of audio/video receivers worldwide and a leader in wireless multi-room audio.  Sound United is the largest supplier of loudspeakers in Europe and a leading supplier of sound bars and wireless music systems.   The combined company will be known as Sound United, which will own and operate some of the most prestigious brands in the consumer audio space, providing synergy opportunities for the existing core businesses, while also unlocking the potential to expand the product portfolio and market reach. 

Main purpose of the Job: 

Responsible for all forecasting activities associated with sales organizations, customers and products. The Demand Planner creates and maintains forecast models for their brands, incorporating business intelligence and forecast information gathered from sales, marketing and finance. 

The Demand Planner is the integration point into the sales and commercial organization. Basic forecast modeling is the responsibility of this position. This position leads the dialogue each month for their respective customers and products with key counterparts in Sales and Marketing.

Key Responsibilities:

Demand and supply planning

• Develop demand forecasts (operational forecasts) at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons as part of a demand planning function.
• Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results.
• Coordinate cross-functional research activities to reconcile significant variances and refine the forecast model to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions.
• Interact with sales, marketing and finance to understand demand forecast drivers as well as give them feedback on the consequences of deviation in planning.
• Utilize a collaborative and consensus approach by working with Sales, Marketing and Finance to obtain and ensure that current and accurate information is used for demand forecasts.
• Use and maintain the Demand Planning software (Both SAP and Rapid Response) as the primary forecasting system tool.
• Run the S&OP planning meeting for your brand and support on analyses in detail on deviations and trend development as well as constraints in supply.
• Provide input to the Global Supply Planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs by providing a firm supply forecast as well as a liable supply forecast.
• Closely work with the Brand Managers to coordinate and communicate customer action plans within the demand plan as well as the supply plan
• have a regular sales plan meeting with and receive a sales forecast from the national sales organizations and control the progress 
• Frequently communicate with Product Manager and Brand manager 

Daily stock control and backoffice support

• Communicate priorities for incoming containers to suppliers and work closely with logistics to monitor and prioritize the incoming schedule.
• Monitor the incoming goodsflow 
• Release inventory to National sales organizations and allocate goods in case of limited availability
• Support order desk with order/delivery related issues
• prepare and load purchase orders into SAP and manage ETA in SAP purchase orders
• Instruct on mode of shipment together with Operations Director Europe
• Follow-up the delivery times of the order and initiate action when changes occur
• Prepare modification orders for value added services
• monitor and control the follow-up of modification orders
• set priorities with the warehouse for modification orders
• involve the Service department in the capacity on modification orders
• report on a monthly basis on financial stock forecast
• report on a monthly basis planning, budget, stock
  
  

Required Skill Sets:

• HBO working and thinking level with 3-4 year relevant experience (direction supply chain/Business Administration / BE with commercial affinity
• IT skills: MS Office required / SAP knowledge preferred / Excellent Excel-skills
• The ability to quickly learn new software and the ability to work across multiple systems and analyze, consolidate, and report on data.
• Highly structured and efficient way of working
• Hands-on mentality with good communication skills
• Ability to quickly build trust based relationships at all levels in the organization
• Ability to work cross functional, particularly between commercial and supply
• Understanding of Supply Chain operations and customer service
• Accurate, eye for detail
• Flexible and pro-active with a problem solving mentality
• Fluent in both written and verbal English and Dutch (preferred)

Why Sound United:

Taking premium brands to new heights. With manufacturing, supply chains, distribution channels and employees in Japan, the United States, Europe and other parts of Asia, Sound United has a global face and a sales presence in over 70 countries. 

High visibility, broad impact.  This is a high growth, changing environment, and you will have the opportunity to really make an impact on our systems and processes and how we enhance them. In addition to being exposed to new projects and learning new skills, this role also positions you to interact with a variety of departments, teams and leadership groups on a global basis.
 
Great time to join.  We are proud to provide premium audio/video experiences to both commercial and consumer markets and, we're experiencing healthy growth. When you've proved yourself a star and are ready for the next career step, the opportunities will be there.
 
Cultural experience.  You will have regular exposure to many cultures. We're in over 70 countries, so you're not just focused on one culture, but will enjoy working with many.
 
Building on success.   Our growing portfolio of premium audio and video products delivers the best in design, technology, innovation and performance to a variety of customers who seek to enrich the moment with pure sound and vision. Our well-respected products continuously win industry awards and accolades. Under new senior leadership we are investing in growth and expanding our product lines, distribution channels and markets, making this an exciting time to be part of the “new Sound United.”
 
Excellent compensation, benefits and work environment.  In addition to a competitive salary, attractive incentive program and equity participation, we offer a collaborative and open work environment and professional development opportunities. Join SOUND UNITED and let’s build an even greater company together!

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