Demand Planner

South Shore Plaza; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Career development and training

Chocolate discounts

Free parking

Job summary

Läderach, a Swiss chocolate manufacturer, seeks a Demand Planner to optimize forecasts and store orders across the U.S. and Canada. This role translates sales trends into item- and store-level forecasts, balancing sell-through, service levels, and margin with Regional Leaders and the Global Product and Demand teams.

You will build B2C forecasts, monitor inventory health, and provide in-season projections. A finance/supply chain background with strong Excel and Power BI skills and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, supply chain, or related field.
• 2–4 years of demand planning, merchandise planning, finance, or forecasting experience.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and Power BI.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail; ability to reconcile data across multiple store formats and currencies.
• Experience with COGS and margin analysis a plus.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects in a fast-paced matrix organization.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain item-level demand forecasts for seasonal and AYR replenishment.
• Monitor inventory levels, sell-through, and obsolescence risk; maintain healthy positions.
• Reforecast in season based on sell-through and trends; present revised projections.
• Analyze margin bridges and drivers of COGS variances (price, volume, mix).
• Forecast inventory reserves and write-offs with Controlling.
• Translate demand forecasts into replenishment and allocation guidance.
• Report forecast accuracy and bias; refine forecasting methods.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align demand with business strategy.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Power BI

Forecasting

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, supply chain, or related field

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Excel

Forecasting software

Job description

Läderach is a Swiss chocolate manufacturer known for high-quality, fresh chocolate. Founded in 1962, our family-owned business employs more than 2,500 people from over 80 countries and continues to grow. At our headquarters in the canton of Glarus, against a picturesque Alpine backdrop, we produce fresh chocolate and develop innovative ideas in agile teams.

Our Corporate Functions business unit includes Finance, IT Services, Global Marketing and Sales Management, and Human Resources. We develop fresh ideas every day and work together to turn them into success stories. Personal accountability and collaborative, connected ways of working are especially important to us.

Job Title: Demand Planner

Department: Finance & Accounting

Reports To: Director of Finance

Direct Reports: None

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Type: Regular, Full-Time

Schedule: Monday-Friday, standard business hours

Travel: Minimal (up to 10%)

Revision Date: September 2026

Position Overview

The Demand Planner develops accurate demand forecasts and optimizes store orders across our U.S. and Canadian retail operations to support financial goals. This role focuses on the numbers behind the assortment, translating sales trends, seasonality, and business drivers into reliable item- and store-level forecasts, orders, and inventory positions. The Demand Planner partners closely with Regional Leaders, Operations, and the Global Product and Demand teams to create seasonal and replenishment plans that balance sell-through, service levels, and margin.

The Demand Planner builds and maintains B2C demand forecasts, inventory targets, and COGS and margin analyses for both all-year-round (AYR) and seasonal products. This role manages forecast accuracy, inventory health, and markdown and obsolescence risk to support sales objectives. The Demand Planner also provides in-season demand and cost projections, identifies risks and opportunities to protect margin, and partners with Controlling to anticipate inventory reserves and write-offs. In addition, this role provides leadership with the forecasting inputs and guidance needed to execute the inventory strategy.

What You Can Expect

• You will build and maintain item-level demand forecasts for seasonal and AYR replenishment products.
• You will partner with the Global Product and Demand teams to monitor inventory levels, sell-through performance, and obsolescence risk and maintain healthy inventory positions.
• You will reforecast demand in season based on current sell-through and trends, presenting revised projections and recommendations to cross-functional partners and senior leadership.
• You will analyze margin bridges to identify the drivers of COGS variances, including price, volume, and mix (PVM), and flag emerging risks early.
• You will support inventory reserve and write-off forecasting in partnership with Controlling, ensuring exposure is identified.
• You will translate demand forecasts into replenishment and allocation guidance to help ensure stores are optimally stocked without excess inventory or stockouts.
• You will monitor and report on forecast accuracy and bias, continuously refining forecasting methods and assumptions.
• You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to align demand plans with the broader business strategy.
• You will perform other related duties as assigned by your direct supervisor.

What We Expect from You

• You have a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, supply chain, or a related field.
• You have two to four years of experience in demand planning, merchandise planning, finance, or a related analytical or forecasting role.
• You have advanced proficiency in Excel.
• You have proficiency in other Microsoft Office applications and analytical tools, including Power BI.
• You have strong attention to detail and the ability to reconcile data across multiple store formats and currencies.
• You have strong analytical and mathematical skills, supported by sound financial acumen.
• You have experience with COGS and margin analysis or a willingness to develop these skills.
• You have the ability to prioritize multiple projects effectively.
• You have demonstrated the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, cross-functional matrix organization.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay: $90,000 to $110,000 salary
• Medical (80% employee / 50% family), dental, and vision (100% covered)
• Life insurance up to $25,000, with an option to increase coverage up to $150,000
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career development and training opportunities
• Collaborative and engaging work environment
• Generous product discounts and chocolate at work
• Free parking, where applicable

Own it. Grow it. Make it fresh.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings are filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion, or any other classification protected by law. Our success and momentum to expand is only possible through the passionate drive of our diverse 2,500 employees, who come from more than 80 countries and represent various backgrounds, religious beliefs, and lifestyles.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.