Demand Planner

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation; East Grinstead; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Demand Planner to enhance their supply chain operations. This role involves developing accurate forecasts and balancing demand with supply while managing inventory targets. You will collaborate closely with Sales and Product Managers to optimize inventory levels and improve service levels. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in demand and inventory planning, with experience in data science techniques and planning software. Join a dynamic team and contribute to impactful projects that drive efficiency and success in a globally recognized brand.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Demand Planning and/or Inventory Planning.
• Strong analytical skills with a self-starter attitude.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accurate forecasts to align supply with demand.
• Monitor trends in customer orders and identify improvements.

Skills

Demand Planning

Inventory Planning

SAP

Data Science Techniques

Microsoft Office

Education

Graduate Calibre

Tools

Logility

Job description

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation

is a world-famous brand with offices across the globe. Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument, it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally.

We are searching for a Demand Planner to join our team. The Demand Planner is responsible for the development and maintenance of accurate short, mid, and long-term forecasts, ensuring alignment of supply with customer demand in accordance with budgeted inventory policies. This role involves independently working to build and maintain service levels within the Supply Chain, fostering relationships with partners and third-party warehouses. You will also lead improvement projects within the Planning and Supply Chain.

Essential Functions

1. Balancing demand with supply while keeping within inventory targets, using relevant demand planning and supply planning tools.
2. Work closely with Sales & Product Managers to reduce Excess and Obsolete Inventory.
3. Manage supply issues and develop alternative plans where delivery schedules cannot be improved.
4. Work with Sales, Product Managers, and Marketing to review and agree on demand forecasts, complementing system-generated forecasts.
5. Monitor trends in customer orders against forecasts and identify availability improvements.
6. KPI reporting and control analysis on measures such as Inventory, Forecast Accuracy, Fill Rate, Slow Moving, New Product Introduction, and Excess Inventory.
7. Document processes and write training materials for any reporting/tools created.
8. Develop relationships with various functions to obtain data, learn business processes, and advocate for supply chain needs in reporting/tools development.
9. Support the monthly SIOP process and serve as backup for the Supply Chain Manager in key process meetings.

Essential Skills/Knowledge

1. Graduate calibre with proven experience in Demand Planning and/or Inventory Planning.
2. SAP experience is a plus.
3. Experience with Amazon and BTC is a plus.
4. Experience with Data Science techniques such as Decision Tree, Linear and Logistic Regression, Naïve Bayes, k-Means, and Neural Networks is a plus.
5. Working knowledge of Logility (or similar) planning software.
6. Strong PC skills with experience in Microsoft packages.
7. Commercial and financial awareness and acumen.
8. A self-starter who requires limited guidance to analyze data, curious with a desire to identify root causes.
9. Ability to develop tools, spreadsheets, and processes to aid data analysis and process optimization, and to make recommendations for improvements.
10. Comfortable communicating across organizational levels, capable of delivering difficult news and resolving differing points of view.