What are the responsibilities and job description for the Demand & Supply Planner position at The Malco Group?
Brief Description
Demand & Supply Planner
Reports To: Associate Director of SIOP
Department: Supply, Inventory, and Operations Planning
Location: Annandale, MN (Hybrid)
Position Overview
The Demand & Supply Planner is responsible for developing accurate demand forecasts, optimizing finished goods inventory, and supporting supply planning activities across multiple brands, product lines, and distribution locations. This role serves as a key contributor to the Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) process, translating customer demand, business trends, promotions, and market intelligence into actionable inventory and supply recommendations. The position owns finished goods safety stock policies and inventory optimization strategies while partnering with Operations, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, Product Management, and Customer Service to maintain high service levels and support business growth. Approximately 70% of the role is dedicated to demand planning and forecasting, 25% to inventory optimization and policy management, and 5% to supply planning support and cross-functional execution activities. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, possesses advanced Excel and ERP system skills, and can transform complex or incomplete data into meaningful business insights and recommendations that drive inventory performance, service levels, and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
Demand & Supply Planner
Reports To: Associate Director of SIOP
Department: Supply, Inventory, and Operations Planning
Location: Annandale, MN (Hybrid)
Position Overview
The Demand & Supply Planner is responsible for developing accurate demand forecasts, optimizing finished goods inventory, and supporting supply planning activities across multiple brands, product lines, and distribution locations. This role serves as a key contributor to the Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) process, translating customer demand, business trends, promotions, and market intelligence into actionable inventory and supply recommendations. The position owns finished goods safety stock policies and inventory optimization strategies while partnering with Operations, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, Product Management, and Customer Service to maintain high service levels and support business growth. Approximately 70% of the role is dedicated to demand planning and forecasting, 25% to inventory optimization and policy management, and 5% to supply planning support and cross-functional execution activities. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, possesses advanced Excel and ERP system skills, and can transform complex or incomplete data into meaningful business insights and recommendations that drive inventory performance, service levels, and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop accurate, data-driven demand forecasts across multiple brands, product lines, and distribution locations, and lead efforts to continuously improve forecast accuracy.
- Own finished goods safety stock policies and inventory optimization strategies to balance service levels, working capital, and operational efficiency.
- Manage excess and obsolete inventory, including monitoring, reporting, and developing disposition recommendations.
- Maintain ABC classification for finished goods to guide inventory policy and planning priorities.
- Lead demand and inventory planning for product lifecycle events, including new product introductions and product transitions.
- Analyze service levels and recommend actions to improve fill rates, availability, and customer satisfaction.
- Coordinate multi-brand and multi-site inventory planning to optimize inventory positioning across the network.
- Utilize Forecast Pro and Oracle EBS to support demand planning, forecasting, and supply planning activities.
- Serve as a key contributor to the SIOP process, translating customer demand, business trends, promotions, and market intelligence into actionable inventory and supply recommendations.
- Partner with Operations, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, Product Management, and Customer Service to align supply with demand and support business growth.
- Perform data analysis and reporting, and drive continuous process improvement across demand and supply planning activities.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field.
- 3–5 years of experience in demand planning, inventory planning, or supply planning, ideally within a multi-brand or multi-site manufacturing or distribution environment.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems required; experience with Oracle EBS and Forecast Pro strongly preferred.
- Highly analytical, with the ability to transform complex or incomplete data into meaningful business insights and actionable recommendations.
- Experience supporting Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) or S&OP processes in a cross-functional environment.
- Working knowledge of inventory optimization concepts, including safety stock methodology, ABC classification, and service level analysis.
- Experience supporting product lifecycle planning, new product introductions, and product transitions.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to partner effectively across Operations, Purchasing, Sales, Marketing, Product Management, and Customer Service.
- Bonus Program
- 401k with company matching
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability
- Paid time off