What are the responsibilities and job description for the Planning Manager position at Just Play?
Job Title: Planning Manager
Department: Sales
Reporting To: Wal-Mart Team Lead
Location: Bentonville, AR
Company Overview:
Just Play is a passionate and trend driven leader in the children’s consumer goods industry. Our products are an impressive mix of promotional and everyday items for the whole family. We work with the world’s leading children’s entertainment brands to manufacture and distribute exceptional products to every major mass retailer throughout North America and around the world.
Job Summary:
Just Play has an incredible opportunity to join the growing team at a top ten U.S. toy company! You will play a pivotal role in our Walmart Sales Team, responsible for Replenishment and Planning functions. This role serves as the primary operational partner connecting Walmart and Just Play’s internal teams. The Planning Manager will lead demand forecasting and replenishment planning, optimize inventory and in-stock performance, and drive operational excellence across the Walmart business.
Principal Responsibilities:
Conduct weekly reporting, tracking, and analysis using online sales data and Walmart POS data, focusing on metrics such as sales performance, inventory levels, promotional effectiveness, and shopper behavior.
Serve as the primary liaison between internal departments (sales, product development, marketing, operations, etc.) and Walmart to ensure seamless execution of sales strategies and initiatives.
Develop and implement strategies to enhance sales performance and profitability, leveraging insights to advise Walmart buyers on product assortment, pricing strategies, and consumer trends.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support long-term account strategies, providing analytical support and insights for decision-making processes.
Stay informed about market trends, competitive landscape, and industry developments to identify opportunities and make informed recommendations.
Maintain a thorough understanding of all products offered by Just Play and upcoming developments to effectively communicate with Walmart.
Own and maintain item-level demand forecasts, ensuring alignment between Just Play’s internal planning processes and Walmart’s forecast and replenishment expectations.
Partner closely with Walmart Replenishment Managers to optimize inventory flow, improve in-stock performance, and support strong fill-rate results.
Analyze Walmart POS, inventory, forecast, and replenishment data to identify trends, determine root causes, and uncover opportunities to improve performance.
Develop actionable recommendations to address inventory gaps, forecast variances, replenishment concerns, and potential out-of-stock risks.
Monitor new item launches, modular transitions, promotional features, seasonal programs, and store-count changes, adjusting forecasts as business needs evolve.
Prepare and communicate recurring POS reporting, inventory updates, scorecards, and performance insights to the Walmart Sales Team and internal leadership.
Provide ad hoc reporting and analysis to support Walmart business needs, merchant discussions, line reviews, and strategic planning.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Sales, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, Product Development, and Operations to improve forecast accuracy, inventory health, and execution.
Serve as a subject-matter expert on Walmart reporting and replenishment tools, including Retail Link, Luminate, Scintilla, and other relevant platforms.
Support order management and replenishment activities that improve key operational metrics, including in-stock, fill rate, OTIF, inventory flow, and weeks of supply.
Proactively identify opportunities to strengthen forecasting, replenishment, reporting, and inventory-management processes across the Walmart business.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
3 years of experience in Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Replenishment, Forecasting, or Inventory Management.
Extensive experience using Walmart's replenishment tools, including Scintilla and Retail Link.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, draw conclusions, and make actionable recommendations.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to present findings and recommendations to senior leadership and Walmart partners.
Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams).
Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.
Demonstrated learning agility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Ability to lift 30lbs for hardware.
Occasional travel as needed.
Fluency in English (both written and verbal).
Salary.com Estimation for Planning Manager in Bentonville, AR
$138,126 to $173,451
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