Demand Planner
Position Overview
The position is responsible for maintaining accurate inventory levels that minimize backorders, achieve optimal Fill Rates, Turns, and SLOB targets. Working closely with the Demand Planning Manager and Category Managers to achieve Company initiatives and financial objectives as provided by Executive Leadership, while maintaining optimal inventory levels.
Responsibilities Include:
- Effectively utilize current ERP (Enterprise resource planning) to analyze suggested order quantities and generate purchase orders to vendors while maintaining inventory levels based on Envoy Solutions stocking criteria.
- Maintain and balance inventory levels within the Distribution Centers using on-hand, on-order, and transfer quantities in-order to meet or exceed service levels, fill rates and turns.
- Understand forecasting methods and utilize this knowledge to analyze shipment and sales data to replenish basic item quantities. Create purchase orders to facilitate timely replenishment to the Distribution Centers.
- Analyze critical inventory reports throughout the day.
- Process all purchase orders including drop shipments and inter-company transfers.
- Analyze SLOB (Slow Moving Obsolete Inventory) report to minimize inventory becoming overstocked and obsolete.
- Assist with product availably questions.
- Evaluate and assess carrying costs versus order and stock-out costs.
- Follow-up on vendor backorders in a timely manner.
- Communicate vendor performance issues to Demand Planner Manager in a timely manner.
- Maintain the highest level of integrity when negotiating or discussing business with vendors.
- Maintain timely and thorough communication with distribution centers to understand the exact product needs of the warehouse and its limitations.
- Develop strong working relationships and work closely with the Category Managers and expeditors to promote vendor related communication.
- Propose and implement solutions to improve demand forecast accuracy.
- Coordinate with Category Managers on new item introductions as it relates to initial quantities, timing, delivery and inventory.
- Address demand-related issues in a timely and effective manner.
- Participate in continuous improvement processes to attain higher levels of customer satisfaction, productivity, and efficiency.
- Be the local coordination and escalation point for all procurement issues with your area of responsibility to Demand Planning Manager.
- Provide support and training as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Additional Responsibilities (Dependent on Business Unit & ERP System):
- Process vendor & Item setup according to Envoy Solutions policies.
- Maintain item stock status changes according to Envoy solutions policies.
- Confirm and Acknowledge all purchase orders, verifying the quantities, pricing, and delivery dates.
- Maintain Customer Stocking agreement information.
- Provide alternatives (SUBS) for discontinued / backordered items to customer service and the sales team.
- Process Returns to Vendors.
- Process cost changes to maintain accurate system costs.
- Process cost adjustments to PO’s.
- Assist accounts payable with Vendor past due invoices.
The ideal candidate will have:
- Proficient communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, detail-oriented, critical analysis, and multitasking skills.
- Ability to professionally interact with a wide range of key executive members and management.
- Strong mathematical and analytical skills with a good to excellent proficiency level in Microsoft Office (Excel and Word).
- Must be self-directed, make decisions within prescribed guidelines, be able to identify problems as encountered and make quick decisions to determine corrective action.
- Previous ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) purchasing module experience preferred.
- Can do attitude using problem solving skills and ability to work with a team.
- Works well in a fast-paced environment with a collaborative and engaging approach.
- Willingness to continually seek additional education to increase knowledge within the industry.
- A minimum of three years of progressive experience in inventory management and purchasing.
- Bachelor’s degree in business or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
