Associate Planner

IndiMade Brands LLC; Independence Township (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

IndiMade Brands LLC is seeking an analytical Associate Planner to support demand and supply planning across forecasting, inventory management, and business analysis. You will translate data and trends into actionable decisions with cross-functional partners.

You'll collaborate with Planning, Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, and Finance to optimize product availability, maintain healthy inventory levels, and drive continuous improvement in planning tools and processes.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in merchandise planning, demand planning, or inventory management.
• Strong Excel skills with pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and formulas.
• Analytical thinker able to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Familiarity with planning metrics: sales, forecast accuracy, in-stock, turns.
• Experience with ERP or planning systems; NetSuite is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain category/item demand forecasts using historical data, trends, seasonality, promotions, and new launches.
• Analyze weekly sales and inventory vs forecast; identify risks and opportunities to improve in-stock and inventory productivity.
• Assess inventory health and SKU productivity; manage replenishment recommendations to minimize excess and obsolescence.
• Support monthly/weekly OTB process with updated forecasts and variance analysis.
• Execute and track purchase orders; coordinate with suppliers to resolve timing and quantity issues.
• Maintain planning reports and KPIs: forecast accuracy, in-stock/fill rate, inventory turns, days of supply.
• Collaborate with Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, and Finance to incorporate promotions and seasonality into forecasts.
• Maintain accurate planning parameters in ERP/planning systems (lead times, order quantities).
• Support ad hoc analysis and continuous improvement of planning tools and processes.
• Travel up to 10%.

Skills

Excel

Pivot tables

XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP

Formulas

Data analysis

Forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

ERP systems

NetSuite

Job description

Description

About IndiMade Brands

At IndiMade Brands, we empower passionate makers to build and grow thriving businesses. As the leader in handmade supplies and ingredients, we proudly support over one million makers and small businesses with trusted products, high-quality supplies, and exceptional customer service. Our family of brands - including Wholesale Supplies Plus, Nature's Garden, and The Flaming Candle - provides the tools and inspiration entrepreneurs need, from startup to scale-up.

Rooted in a culture of integrity, innovation, and community, we are committed to helping makers succeed while making a positive impact in the industries we serve.

About the Role

We're looking for an analytical, detail-oriented Associate Planner to support our demand and supply planning function. You'll work across forecasting, inventory management, and business analysis to help maximize product availability while maintaining healthy inventory levels. You'll partner closely with Planning, Merchandising, Marketing, Operations, and Finance to translate data and business trends into actionable decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain category and item-level demand forecasts using historical sales, trends, seasonality, promotions, new product launches and other cross-functional business inputs.
• Analyze weekly sales and inventory performance versus forecast, identifying trends, risks and opportunities and recommending actions to improve in-stock, inventory productivity and sales.
• Analyze inventory health and SKU productivity and manage replenishment recommendations to support demand forecasts and in-stock targets while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
• Support the monthly and weekly OTB process by updating sales, inventory and purchase forecasts, analyzing variances and identifying risks and opportunities.
• Execute and track purchase orders from placement through receipt, partnering with suppliers and internal teams to resolve timing, quantity and inventory exceptions.
• Maintain planning reports, dashboards and KPIs, including forecast accuracy, in-stock/fill rate, inventory turns and days of supply.
• Partner with Merchandising, Marketing, Operations and Finance to incorporate promotions, new product launches, seasonality and other business inputs into forecasts and inventory plans.
• Maintain accurate item and planning parameters within ERP/planning systems, including lead times, order quantities and other key inputs.
• Support ad hoc analysis and continuous improvement of planning tools, reporting and processes.
• Travel up to 10%

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in merchandise planning, demand planning, inventory management, or a related analytical role; ecommerce or retail experience preferred.
• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, and formulas.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Understanding of key planning and inventory metrics, including sales, forecast accuracy, in-stock, inventory turns, days/weeks of supply, and sell-through.
• Experience with ERP or planning systems; NetSuite experience is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Willingness to travel as needed up to 10%