Demand Planner

New Balance; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary Bonus

Private Medical Insurance

Dental Scheme

Pension Scheme

Flexible Working Hours

Hybrid working (3 days on-site)

25 days Annual Leave

Life Insurance

Employee Discount

Work from anywhere 20 days a year

Job summary

New Balance is seeking an EMEA Demand Planner to own the regional demand forecast, collaborating with Merchandising, Sales, Marketing and Finance to translate data into actionable plans.

You will manage item-level forecasts, support S&OP processes, and drive improvements in forecast accuracy while balancing inventory and service goals across Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

Qualifications

• University degree in a relevant field.
• Strong forecasting and planning experience.
• Experience with S&OP processes and cross-functional partnerships.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and forecasting tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop the regional demand forecast for the EMEA region at item level.
• Maintain forecast accuracy and drive continuous improvement toward MAPe targets.
• Collaborate with Merchandising, Sales, Marketing and Finance to inform the demand plan.
• Support regional S&OP activities and participate in consensus meetings.

Skills

Forecasting

Demand planning

S&OP

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel

Education

University degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft D365

o9

Spotfire

Excel

Job description

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

Who We Are:

Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today.

JOB MISSION:

The EMEA Demand Planner plays a critical role in delivering business results through owning the creation, analysis, and execution of the regional demand plan. The Demand Planner will be responsible for providing a detailed forecast to the organization, at the model and item level for the EMEA region, for a designated category group. The role will also support the business by developing insights based on historical shipments, sales forecasts, sell through analytics and product plans and how this impacts the demand plan. The planner brings an analytical, data driven, and growth mindset, to their ownership of the demand plan and various forecasting activities, from both technical and overall business perspectives. This position is a key contributor within the Go-To Market process, supporting the Demand Planning Manager and Senior Demand Planner through engagement and participation in the regional S&OP process.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Develop the demand forecast for the region regarding specific product categories at item level, considering volume, value and stocking policy, as well as inputs from EMEA Merchandising, Sales, Marketing and Finance.
• Responsible for forecast accuracy of owned category with the aim of continuous improvement towards MAPE targets.
• Highlight risks and opportunities to the business and work collaboratively to implement resulting changes to the demand plan.
• Work collaboratively with Inventory Planners to bring attention to risks and opportunities concerning the Demand Plan including signing off the DP/IP handshake.
• Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Champion. Assist with regional S&OP activities, ensuring that S&OP process steps are aligned with the regional inventory strategy and S&OP guideline.
• Participate in consensus meetings with key stakeholders, to align on monthly and/or seasonal item level forecasts, to be used for business planning across short, medium and long term horizons.
• Actively manage and summarise scenario plans for potential challenges and advantages. Collaborate with Merchandising, Inventory Planning, Sales, Marketing, and Finance to ensure communication and assumptions are accurate and aligned with business expectations.
• Represent EMEA Demand Planning in the end to end Go-To-Market process.
• Manage Product Lifecycles including ramp up/down logic, NII launch forecasts, style phaseout management, and sell through monitoring.
• Work with the Sales Planning teams in the EMEA markets to understand the sales forecast and sales performance data impacts on the demand plan.
• Support the business by developing insights that provide the organisation with high value information, with respect to their consumers, customers, product assortment and the financial health of the business.
• Drive continuous improvement, particularly with regards to the overall demand planning and S&OP processes, through the definition and implementation of best practice, related tools and reporting capabilities whilst remaining aligned to the EMEA inventory strategy.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS:

• University degree and a relevant year of experience in Demand Planning, Sales Planning or Merchandising (does not have to be in a sport/fashion environment).
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on analysis and planning, problem solving, collaboration, initiative, decision making and dealing with multiple varied partners.
• Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and manage time, multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
• Interest in developing strong cross functional partnerships, with a goal to strengthen forecast accuracy and improve business processes.
• Experience in Microsoft Office: Excel (advanced level), Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, etc.
• Demonstrate understanding of statistical forecasting and scenario modelling.
• Experience with Microsoft D365, o9, and/or Spotfire would be an advantage.
• APICS certification would be an advantage.
• European language skills would be an advantage.
• Ability to travel occasionally.

BENEFITS:

• Discretionary Bonus Opportunity
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Scheme
• Pension Scheme
• Flexible Working Hours
• Hybrid working (3 days on-site)
• 25 days Annual Leave per year
• Life Insurance
• Employee Discount
• Flexibility to work 20 days from anywhere each year
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Benefit (24/7 Employment Assistance Program & Support)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

New Balance is committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective associates regardless of age, disability, race, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and gender reassignment. We are an equal opportunity employer and support a culture of diversity and inclusion.

If you have not already done so, please let us know if you require any support so we can make the right adjustments and considerations should they be required.