Demand Planner I

Readerlink Distribution Services; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plans -Medical, Dental & Rx

Vacation Pay & Paid Holidays

401(k) with Company Match

Life and Accident Insurance

Author Events

Publisher-sponsored Book Club

Job summary

ReaderLink is seeking a Demand Planner I to support the S&OP demand review process and forecast delivery to supply planning, procurement, finance, and operations. The role focuses on improving forecasting accuracy, cross-functional communication, and integrated planning within ERP tools.

You will work with inventory, operations, sales, and marketing to develop forecasts, monitor trends, and update models for new products and promotions. Strong analytical skills and SQL proficiency are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or related field.
• 2+ years of planning experience with large data sets.
• Experience with JDA Demand and Blue Yonder Fulfillment, SAP, Oracle.
• Forecasting and weekly forecasting cycles experience.
• Retail and/or CPG experience preferred.
• Strong Excel and MS Office skills; SQL knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily activities to manage all customer demand streams.
• Develop forecasts, forecast risks, and mitigation plans with cross-functional teams.
• Communicate goals and status changes regularly.
• Review numerical trends and goals.
• Analyze and troubleshoot demand-related issues.
• Coordinate with inventory to maintain optimal levels.
• Support ERP planning tools and provide forecast reports.
• Act as SME for demand planning tools and ensure data integrity.

Skills

Forecasting

Data analysis

SQL

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Mathematics

Tools

JDA Demand

Blue Yonder Fulfillment

SAP

Oracle

Job description

The Demand Planner I is responsible for supporting the company S&OP demand review process and working within the demand planning system to deliver forecasts to supply planning, procurement, finance and operations. This role will help define solutions and support change adoption to improve forecasting performance, cross functional communication, and integrated planning. Responsibilities include evaluating and helping make demand management more efficient and responsive to the changing needs of both internal and external customers.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Oversee daily activities to manage all customer demand streams that drive operations.
• Work with inventory, operations, sales, and marketing teams to develop forecasts, forecast risks, and mitigation plans.
• Effectively communicate goals, status changes, and other information on a regular basis.
• Review numerical trends and goals.
• Analyze and troubleshoot demand-related issues efficiently and accurately.
• Develop routine and ad-hoc demand-related reports for management.
• Update forecasts for new products, promotions, and seasonality.
• Assist in developing annual budgets and support cost initiatives.
• Coordinate with the inventory team to monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels.
• Support demand inputs within ERP planning tools that drive planning, operational, and procurement processes.
• Provide and review reports on forecast accuracy, bias, and trending for continuous improvement.
• Act as a ‘subject matter expert’ for the demand planning tools and software.
• Ensure promotional adjustments are accounted for and synchronized into the planning software.
• Maintain demand planning processes and ensure the best algorithm is being utilized to optimize accuracy and minimize bias.
• Ensure data integrity as it drives demand planning.
• Act as owner of unit forecast for all demand planned items, discontinued items, swaps, factor the impact of cannibalization, as well as various scenario planning needs.
• Oversee reporting to identify categories requiring additional analysis and/or adjust strategy based on changing business conditions.
• Maintain all required parameters in forecasting software.
• Other duties may be assigned, directed, or requested.

What You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Mathematics or a related field is required.
• Two (2) plus years of planning experience and working with large data sets is preferred.
• Experience with JDA Demand and Blue Yonder Fulfillment, SAP, Oracle, etc. is preferred.
• Experience in forecasting, forecast management, and weekly forecasting cycles is preferred.
• Experience in Retail and/or CPG is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to think creatively, including knowledge of databases, SQL, and query writing.
• Strong to advanced experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.
• Solid attention to detail and ability to multitask; ability to work as a team or alone.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to build customer relationships and effectively communicate throughout all levels of the organization.
• Detail-oriented with an understanding of the big picture.
• Team-oriented, hardworking, open-minded, and flexible.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to speak with all levels of the organization and outside partners.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as instructions and procedure manuals.
• Ability to create and write reports.
• Must be proficient in basic mathematics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Ability to do algebra, calculate figures and amounts and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Must be able to do statistical analysis.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving variables.
• The work performed is in an office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate at low decibels.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced, team environment.

Employee Benefits Include:

• Health Plans -Medical, Dental & Prescription
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health & Dependent Care
• Life and Accident Insurance
• Vacation Pay & Paid Holidays
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Author Events
• Publisher-sponsored Book Club

Salary: $60,000 - $65,000

ReaderLink is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, or status as an individual with a disability. EOE/Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran.

ReaderLink is committed to recruiting, hiring and promoting people with disabilities and veterans.If you need an accommodation to assist with completing the electronic application, please email your request to [e-mail], or call: [phone]