Demand Planner

SUMMARY

The Demand Planner creates and maintains demand forecasts for inventory items within company inventory management systems, works with Category Management, Sales, and Purchasing to analyze and determine the best planning methods for inventory and purchasing management.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties/responsibilities may be assigned)

• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Category Management, and Procurement Specialists to determine accurate demand.
• Create and maintain product item forecasts in Inventory Management software, always striving to improve the forecast accuracy.
• Analyze inventory and set optimal stocking levels to achieve inventory performance expectations.
• Maintain and update master item data in inventory management sofware insuring information is up-to-date, accurate, and consistently aligned with company business rules.
• Analyze inventory performance and initiate inventory disposition reviews to improve inventory performance.
• Initiate and coordinate the phase out process of removing products from inventory.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Category Management, and Procurement to help determine best mix of items to be included in product programs based on analytical analysis.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Analytical Skills: You will be working with complex product setups and data to understand and implement the appropriate BOM and routing structure to optimize manufacturing capabilities.
• Decision-Making Skills: You will need to use the information you have gathered to make decisions on representing Hafele.
• Math Skills: Basic math skills will be needed to analyze prices, calculate economic order quantities and manipulate excel data.
• Negotiating Skills: You will be working with internal customers and external suppliers to create the best solution.
• Service: Must have an intense focus on service and be adaptable to a constantly changing work environment.
• Work Environment: Ability to handle multiple tasks, work either independently or in a team environment and be detail-oriented.
• Computer Skills: Microsoft Excel skills are required, with advanced Excel skills a plus. Experience within SAP ERP and Inventory Optimization softwares is desired.
• Communication: Strong communication and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with people of varying responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of Associates degree in buying, logistics, procurement, or other relevant business course study with 3 to 5 years’ experience in a purchasing/inventory management/supply chain environment.
• Equivalent education and experience will be considered.
• Experience in a global organization with multiple distribution channels.
• Supply Chain certification is desired.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read and interpret procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of employees or managers in Hafele.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is a multiple facility operation that requires working primarily in an office environment. Working and moving in a manufacturing and distribution center environment is also required. The employee will be in the presence of equipment that could cause injury. Adherence to safety rules and instructions are required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee:

• Is required to sit and use a computer for long periods of time.
• Is required to walk between multiple facilities outside.
• Is required to climb stairs.
• Must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Is required to talk or hear.
• Must have close and color vision capabilities.