GLOBAL DEMAND PLANNER MANAGER

Bata Group; Limena; Hybrid; EUR 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus 15–20%

Smart working policy

Job summary

Bata Group in Limena (Padova), Italy, seeks a Global Demand Planner Manager to lead one integrated global demand plan, align OpCo execution with planning strategy, and drive governance and continuous improvement using statistical forecasting, market insights, and AI/ML forecasting techniques.

The role requires 10+ years in demand forecasting within Retail or Fashion, strong cross-functional collaboration, and proven ability to optimize inventory and forecast accuracy.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in developing and optimizing demand forecasts.
• Strong analytical, data-driven decision making and forecasting skills.
• Experience with AI/ML-driven forecasting techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global demand planning agenda and align OpCo plans.
• Deploy global planning standards, processes and KPIs.
• Ensure cross-functional alignment across Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance and IT.
• Develop planning capabilities and a culture of ownership.
• Improve KPI performance: forecast accuracy, bias, service level, inventory.

Skills

Forecasting

Analytics

Excel

AI/ML forecasting

Cross-functional

Tools

Blue Yonder

Job description

Bata Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and retailers of quality footwear. A global concern with more than 30,000 employees, 24 production facilities, over 5,000 stores in more than 70 countries across the globe, Bata has been providing the best shoes at the best prices, backed by unparalleled service, for 120 years.

Since its founding in 1894 by Thomas Bata, the company has consistently demonstrated its commitment to responsible and innovative business models in the belief that capital is not just money, buildings, or technology, but, more importantly, people, knowledge, and core values. This visionary approach has enabled the company to meet each new challenge with creativity and foresight, while earning the trust and confidence of customers, employees, and the communities in which it does business.

Today, Bata’s pioneering decentralized production system, featuring semi-autonomous regional facilities guided by three regional business units, allows the company to quickly adapt to changes in the marketplace and seize potential growth opportunities. It also continues Bata’s long tradition of being sensitive to cultural and national differences and enables it to proudly function as a local company in every country it serves.

Description of the Role

The Global Demand Planner Manager leads the development of one integrated global demand plan, ensuring alignment between OpCo execution and global planning strategy, standards and performance expectations.

Working closely with the VP Demand Planning, the role drives global planning governance, performance management and continuous improvement, while building demand planning capabilities across the organization.

The Global Demand Planner Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining an accurate demand forecast that supports business objectives while optimizing product availability and inventory performance. By combining statistical forecasting, historical sales analysis, market insights, commercial intelligence, and AI/ML-supported forecasting techniques.

As the owner of the demand planning process, the Demand Planner leads the OPCO's demand planner ensure they are aligned with the global Strategy.

Through continuous monitoring of demand trends, forecast accuracy, and key performance indicators, the Demand Planner proactively identifies risks and opportunities, adjusting forecasts to minimize stock shortages and excess inventory across historical, Never Out of Stock (NOOS), Carry Over/Best Seller and new product introductions using look-alike statistical models where appropriate.

Working closely with Supply Chain, the Demand Planner Manager supports inventory and safety stock strategies by balancing customer demand, production capacity, lead times, and service level objectives. The role provides data-driven recommendations to improve forecast accuracy, mitigate demand variability, and enhance overall supply chain performance.

Success in this role requires strong analytical skills, expertise in demand planning methodologies, proficiency with planning systems and data analysis tools, and the ability to build alignment across cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the global demand planning agenda, integrating OpCo demand plans into one consistent and aligned view.
• Partner with the VP Demand Planning to deploy global planning standards, processes, KPIs and tools.
• Ensure alignment across Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance, IT and local leadership.
• Develop planning capabilities, best practices and a strong culture of ownership across OpCo teams.
• Drive improvements in key planning KPIs, including forecast accuracy, bias, service level and inventory performance.
• Solid understanding of demand and supply principles, forecasting methodologies, inventory management and related KPIs (e.g. forecast accuracy, bias, service level).
• Recommended strong knowledge of the footwear or fashion industry (but is not a must), including product lifecycle, seasonal collections, sizing structure.
• Proficiency in demand planning systems (e.g., Blue Yonder or similar planning tools).
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and data analysis techniques.

Reporting

• VP Demand Planning (direct)

Work Experience

The ideal candidate brings:

• 10+ years of strong expertise in developing and continuously optimizing demand forecasts by combining historical data, statistical models, commercial insights, and AI/ML-driven forecasting techniques to improve forecast accuracy and inventory performance in Retail or Fashion Company.
• Ability to identify demand risks and opportunities, proactively defining mitigation actions and collaborating with Supply Chain to optimize safety stock strategies based on production and distribution lead times.
• Excellent cross-functional stakeholder management, acting as a trusted partner between Sales, Merchandising, Finance, and Supply Chain to balance business priorities and resolve trade-offs.
• Proven experience in leading Demand Consensus meetings, driving forecast alignment, securing stakeholder commitment, and ensuring forecast validation before purchase order release.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills, with a focus on continuous improvement of demand planning processes and business performance.
• Highly analytical and detail-oriented.
• Resilient and adaptable in a dynamic, seasonal business environment.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability. Proactive and solution-driven.
• Collaborative team player with the ability to build effective relationships across functions.

Conditions of employment

• Hybrid and on-site;
• Willingness to travel within the Bata regions to gain a better understanding of the markets (2-3 trips per year to non-European countries).

Location

• Limena (Padova), Italy

Why Work at BATA

People are at the heart of what we do. From the consumers and customers we serve to the communities in which we operate, to the employees who drive our success year after year. Through our CSR programs, volunteering, and philanthropy, we deepen our connections with the company, our colleagues, and the communities in which we operate.

What We Offer

Competitive salary, generous benefits and a respect for work-life balance form the foundation of what we offer at Bata. We then go the extra mile to train and equip our employees to make the most of the opportunities available to them. We provide industry-leading development programs to foster a Culture of teamwork, Integrity and Excellence in everything we do. As a global brand, we value diversity and mobility, encouraging our people to pursue positions in new regions that will help them grow professionally and personally. Our multicultural leadership team is representative of this commitment and our brand’s international footprint. Joining Bata means joining a company where you can have an impact, where you can shape the future of a global footwear organization.

• Permanent contract;
• Fixed salary range: 65.000,00 - 70.000,00 €;
• Full time (40 working hours per week);
• CCNL Trade (14 payslisps);
• Bonus: up to 15%-20% of based salary;
• Smart working policy after in person onboarding period;