Senior Manager, Demand Planning

Jazwares, LLC; Bentonville (AR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) retirement program

Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Hybrid work schedule

Volunteer time off

Job summary

Jazwares, LLC is seeking a Senior Manager, Demand Planning to lead end-to-end forecasting, inventory optimization, and supply chain strategies for major retail partners. You will drive forecast accuracy, optimize inventory investment, and influence executive decision-making through data analytics.

This role partners with Sales, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure product availability, flawless promotional execution, and profitable growth across multiple channels and categories.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive experience in demand planning or related fields.
• Experience supporting major retail customers and promotions.
• Strong forecast modelling and data analysis capabilities.
• Advanced Excel and BI tooling proficiency.
• Familiarity with S&OP/IBP and integrated planning systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end demand planning across product categories and channels.
• Own bias/variability metrics and incorporate launches, seasonality, and promos.
• Develop inventory strategies to optimize levels and in-stock performance.
• Collaborate with retailer teams on JBP, business plans, and forecasts.
• Evaluate promotional effectiveness and provide ROI analysis and scorecards.
• Translate complex data into executive-ready insights and scenarios.
• Present assumptions and constraints in IBP/S&OP meetings.
• Lead continuous improvement using Lean, automation, and KPI dashboards.

Skills

Demand planning

Forecasting

Inventory optimization

S&OP

Data analytics

Excel

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Finance/Economics/Supply Chain/Analytics

Tools

SAP APO

SAP IBP

JDA

Blue Yonder

Anaplan

Kinaxis

Demantra

Logility

Oracle

Job description

The Senior Manager, Demand Planning plays a pivotal role in our global toy business, driving end-to-end forecasting, inventory optimization, and supply chain strategies for our major retail partners! In this highly collaborative position, you will lead cross-functional initiatives across Sales, Supply Chain, and Finance to improve forecast accuracy, maximize product availability, and optimize inventory investment. As a strategic partner, you will leverage data analytics to influence executive decisions, ensure flawless promotional execution, and drive profitable growth. Join our dynamic team to help us ensure the right products get to the right places, shaping the future of play!

What You Will Do

• Lead the end-to-end demand planning process across multiple product categories and customer channels by developing accurate statistical and collaborative forecasts using POS, shipment history, syndicated data, and market trends
• Drive forecast accuracy and continuous improvement by owning bias and variability metrics, performing root cause analysis, and incorporating new product launches, seasonality, and promotional activities into demand plans
• Develop and execute inventory strategies to optimize levels, maximize in-stock performance, minimize excess inventory, and mitigate supply risks while monitoring health metrics like OTIF, fill rates, and inventory turns
• Partner directly with retailer teams and Sales leadership to support inventory planning, joint business planning (JBP), annual customer business plans, volume forecasts, and strategic growth opportunities
• Evaluate promotional effectiveness and support customer line reviews through pre- and post-event analytics, ROI measurement, trade optimization, and the delivery of customer scorecards
• Analyze complex datasets, including POS, syndicated data, and retailer portals, to translate information into actionable insights, executive-ready recommendations, and scenario planning models
• Present demand assumptions, supply constraints, and pricing strategies during monthly S&OP and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) meetings to influence senior leadership decisions
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives to standardize forecasting methodologies, optimize replenishment processes, and enhance planning efficiency using Lean principles, automation, and advanced KPI dashboards

Supervisor Responsibilities: Yes

What We Are Looking For

• 8+ years of progressive experience in Demand Planning, Replenishment, Supply Chain, Sales Planning, Commercial Analytics, or Customer Planning within the CPG, Retail, or Consumer Products industries
• Demonstrated experience supporting major retail customers such as Walmart, Target, Costco, Amazon, Sam's Club, or Kroger
• Strong expertise in demand forecasting, inventory optimization, S&OP, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), retailer replenishment processes, and overall supply chain operations
• Proven ability to utilize syndicated data (such as Nielsen, Circana, or IRI) and retailer portals (such as Retail Link or Scintilla) to analyze market share, shipment trends, and inventory performance
• Advanced Excel expertise, including Power Query, Power Pivot, Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, statistical analysis, and financial modeling
• Hands‑on experience with enterprise forecasting and planning systems such as SAP APO, SAP IBP, JDA, Blue Yonder, Anaplan, Kinaxis, Demantra, Logility, or Oracle
• Exceptional executive presentation and communication skills with a proven track record of influencing cross‑functional teams, leading complex planning initiatives, and driving profitable business growth

Nice To Have

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Supply Chain, Analytics, or a closely related field is a plus
• Proficiency with advanced business intelligence and data visualization platforms such as Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx, or SQL

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee, but provide the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What We Offer

The base salary may vary based on experience, role tenure, performance, industry, and location. Eligibility for the annual performance incentive may apply. Jazwares is a multi-state employer, so the salary range may not apply to other states.

Our benefits package includes:

• basic medical insurance that is 100% company-paid for employees and their children
• employee basic life and AD&D insurance
• a 401(K) retirement program with Jazwares matching up to 4% of pretax or post‑tax deferrals
• short and long‑term disability
• and tuition reimbursement

Our work environment provides:

• a flexible work schedule that includes Monday through Thursday on-site, with an optional WFH on Fridays, up to 20 workdays fully remote each year, and Time Off for vacation and sick leave
• Through Jazwares Cares, you will have the opportunity to volunteer for up to 16 hours a year on community service projects

Reasonable Accommodations

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working at Jazwares

At Jazwares, we believe an innovative idea can come from anywhere and anyone. Through our three pillars, we foster innovation and encourage creativity in every area of our business.

• Passion: Our conviction and enthusiasm show in our products, relationships, and commitment to our community.
• Collaboration: We share one vision worldwide, constantly striving to improve and innovate together.
• Humility: We recognize the value in others and treat everyone with respect. Our strength lies in our people and talent.

JAZWARES is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, ancestry, disability, age, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Jazwares is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Who We Are

Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a leading global toy manufacturer with a robust portfolio of owned and licensed brands. Founded in 1997, Jazwares celebrates imaginative play with a progressive focus on identifying new and relevant trends to transform into high-quality products for consumers of all ages. Jazwares engages consumers through innovative play experiences with popular brands such as Squishmallows, Pokemon, Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Five Nights at Freddy's, Disney, BumBumz, and BLDR. In addition to toys, offerings include costumes, games, and pillows. Headquartered in Plantation, Florida, Jazwares has offices worldwide and sells its products in over 100 countries. For more information, visit www.jazwares.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Recruitment Safety

Please be wary of unsolicited communications from individuals or websites you are not familiar with, or any communications requesting sensitive personal data or information. All official Jazwares employment information will come from our company email ending in @jazwares.com. Jazwares will never request any monetary payments at any point during its hiring process. If you have any questions about any unsolicited communications, you can reach out to [e-mail]. We look forward to you experiencing a safe and enjoyable application process at Jazwares!