Supply Demand Planner

Staples; Framingham (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 22 days + holidays

Employee discounts

401(k) match

Health and wellness programs

Job summary

Staples is seeking a Supply Demand Planner to forecast inventory levels, develop procurement strategies, and optimize inventory investments. You will support inventory planning, vendor management, and strategic procurement to improve service levels and profitability.

Responsibilities include forecasting, procurement guidance, PO tracking, and collaboration with merchandising and supply chain teams. Strong analytical skills and 2+ years in inventory management are required; SQL/Python and BI

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field.
• 2+ years of inventory management, forecasting techniques, and procurement processes.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel functions (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros).
• Experience communicating complex quantitative analysis and strategic recommendations.
• Proven analytical thinking and data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Forecast department/vendor-level inventory dollars and turnover.
• Develop procurement strategies to optimize investment and service levels.
• Analyze trends to create detailed sales and margin plans including promotions and seasonality.
• Forecast demand and supply needs using planning tools.
• Provide procurement guidance to vendors based on forecasted demand.
• Track and manage purchase orders and escalate issues promptly.
• Interpret daily reports on inventory and forecast exceptions.
• Build strong vendor relationships for inventory management.
• Collaborate with merchandising to optimize disposition of inactive inventory.
• Forecast and evaluate ad performance and seasonal promotions.
• Conduct ad hoc analyses for profitability scenarios.
• Collaborate with supply chain teams to improve efficiency.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

SQL

Python

Power BI

MicroStrategy

E3/JDA Evant

Job description

Staples is business to business. You’re what binds us together. When joining our Supply Chain team, you can feel right away that people are at the heart of what we do. You’ll be surrounded by a team who is looking to make an impact on our customers, our community, and each other. By pairing innovative technology with dynamic employees, we create smarter, more efficient ways to deliver for customers. Our network of distribution, fulfillment, fleet, furniture installation and professional teams work together in fun and safe environments to deliver state-of-the-art products, services and expertise to our customers. The Supply Demand Planner is responsible for accurately forecasting inventory levels and developing procurement strategies to optimize inventory investments, achieve service-level goals, and minimize out-of-stock scenarios. Utilizing analytical methods and planning tools, the planner will support inventory planning, vendor management, and strategic procurement, significantly impacting Staples' profitability and customer satisfaction.

What you’ll be doing:

• Accurately forecast department and/or vendor-level inventory dollars on hand and inventory turnover rates.
• Develop and execute inventory procurement strategies to optimize inventory investment while exceeding service-level targets.
• Analyze trends to create detailed sales and margin plans, including accounting for promotional activities and seasonality.
• Forecast demand and supply needs using key item planning tools.
• Provide procurement guidance to vendors based on forecasted demand.
• Track, expedite, and maintain purchase orders, escalating critical supply chain issues promptly.
• Act on key daily reports, including inactive inventory, daily out-of-stocks, and forecast exceptions.
• Foster effective vendor relationships, serving as the primary contact for inventory management.
• Manage inactive inventory in partnership with merchandising to optimize disposition (returns or markdowns).
• Forecast and evaluate ad performance and seasonal promotions to maximize sales, margin, and inventory efficiency.
• Perform ad hoc analyses, forecasting various scenarios to advise on optimal profitability strategies.
• Collaborate with supply chain teams to optimize efficiency through inventory policy adjustments.
• Support supplier lead time reduction and reliability improvement initiatives.

What you bring to the table:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively and influence stakeholders.
• Adaptability and flexibility in dynamic business environments.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

What’s needed- Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent work experience.
• 2+ years of strong experience in inventory management, forecasting techniques, and procurement processes within supply chain environments.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel functions (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros).
• Proficiency in data analysis tools, specifically ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex quantitative analysis and strategic recommendations
• Demonstrated analytical thinking, with a strong track record of strategic problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and the ability to identify actionable insights.
• Access for performing detailed statistical analysis and inventory modeling.

What’s needed- Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using SQL or Python
• Experience with MicroStrategy or Power BI, or related data mining tools.
• Experience with Supply Chain Planning and Inventory Management systems (E3, JDA, Evant).

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
• 22 days of PTO and Holiday Schedule (7 observed paid holidays + 1 floating holiday)
• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!
• The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate's experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.