Demand Planner

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Job details

Company overview

Our client is a leading musical instrument manufacturer that specializes in the production and sales of guitars and sound equipment. With a rich history, it has evolved into a beloved international brand, cherished by musicians worldwide, including famous artists.

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities:

• Manage and execute a 24 month SKU/location level demand forecast, in partnership with Sales, Product & Marketing teams, for a diverse product line with high volume and high volatility.
• Understand and execute within the SIOP/S&OP process cadence.
• Work proactively with the sales, marketing, product, supply, operations, and logistics teams, to understand business requirements and identify opportunities where supply chain optimization initiatives can add value.
• Develop a demand-based revenue plan by business unit for comparison against annual business plans and financial forecast updates.
• Challenge the sales and marketing assumptions when significant deviations occur between the demand-based revenue plan and the business plans.
• Maintain forecasting system models, history, alerts, and system data integrity to ensure the publication of rolling 12-18 month operational forecast by item by distribution center.
• Oversight and reporting of Product Lifecycle Management including New Product Introduction (NPI) and End of Life (EOL) process status, issues, action plans, etc.
• Determine best methods to improve forecast accuracy and adjust forecast models as necessary to improve forecast accuracy.
• Analyzes forecast bias to identify and understand variables and root causes impacting forecast, and adjust appropriately; works closely with category management and regional sales team to proactively adjust forecast to accommodate external information.
• Assists Sales Management team in providing recommendations and improvements in seasonal and annual planning to optimize financial performance from forecasting perspective, driving effective inventory management efforts downstream.
• Assist Sales Management, Category Management, and Finance in the creation and validation of annual operating budget.
• Drive insights and provide recommendations based on statistical analyses /reporting related to current sales trends by sales channel and/or product line to help drive success achievement of financial goals.
• Take initiative to look beyond the everyday business for opportunities to maximize sales and inventory potential and drive results.
• Insert self into the business, providing other analysis related to driving business goals (e.g. hindsights, ad-hoc, etc.).
• Maintain appropriate fill-rates and service levels as defined by the business.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Must have experience managing large SKU base across multiple distribution centers
• Thinks strategically; strong problem-solving and analytical skills; strong mathematical and forecasting skills.
• Makes decisions with limited information but also able to synthesize large quantities of data to drive business decisions.
• Strong communication and presentation skills: concisely presents complex information and recommendations in terms meaningful to various audiences.
• Advanced MS Excel skills required.
• Knowledge of SAP R/3, Logility and/or SAP Business Warehouse; advanced data mining skills preferred.
• Builds collaborative partnerships cross-functionally.
• Ability to influence key stakeholders.

Requirements

Minimum requirements:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or Finance strongly preferred or 8-10 years of relevant experience
• 5+ years of experience in planning, demand forecasting, inventory management, allocation or replenishment, financial planning or financial analysis experience 

Salary

7 - 9 million yen

Location

Tokyo