Demand Planner (Downers Grove, IL) (13461)

Company: World Kitchen, LLC
Location: Downers Grove
Posted on: June 5, 2021

Job Description:

Why join us? At Instant Brands (formerly Corelle Brands) we are passionate about products that bring joy and ease to our customers in cooking and sharing food with family and friends. Instant Brands is home to category-leading brands, including Instant, Corelle, Pyrex, Corningware, Snapware, Chicago Cutlery and Visions. We're looking for candidates who are smart, curious, creative, push the limits of what's possible and are passionate about our brands. We embrace and respect diverse backgrounds, and welcome new ideas.

Our continuous focus on growth and innovation means you will become part of a global company that offers challenging opportunities, rewards excellence, and combines your individual expertise to achieve a higher level of shared success. We operate within a fast paced, team-oriented, rewarding work environment that allows our employees to develop and thrive.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits within a flexible, creative and progressive work setting. Join Instant Brands and become a part of our story. Everyone matters here.

Position Summary:

Generate a forecast (both unit and financial) for Instant Brands for specific account/channels. Maintain and improve the forecasting process. Lead the S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) process for specific accounts. Monitor performance, identify and recommend action plan(s) to insure that forecast accuracy targets are achieved and customer service requirements are maintained.

What will you do?

• Develop and manage customer specific demand and replenishment plans for selected accounts/channels.
• Develop and maintain an operational forecast in the Demand Planning System for selected accounts/channels. Forecasts will include everyday base business, market intelligence around promotional/ad plans, new items, account plan-o-gram changes, discontinued items, etc.
• Account forecasting process will include monitoring and analyzing customer specific data/trends: point of sale, inventory, in stock levels and orders. Monitor the flow of customer specific demand plans through the enterprise software tools and process.
• Utilize statistical modeling options available in forecasting tool. Document the forecast assumptions.
• Provide account/channel forecast specific input into the monthly S&OP process for both unit and financial forecast process. Conduct weekly consensus reviews of account/channel forecast and data with sales.
• Leverage forecast exception tools and planning skills to proactively identify and resolve item issues impacting service, cancellations and inventory. Identify and resolve batch processing errors.
• Ensure that promotional programs are maintained accurately. Demonstrate thorough account/channel knowledge to validate historical and forecast data to accurately reflect the business plan.
• Manage collaborative forecasting processes established with specific accounts. Develop, foster, and maintain relationships with sales, account buyers and account replenishment analysts to stay informed of promotional activity, plan-o-gram changes, and replenishment strategies impacting the forecast.
• Facilitate weekly consensus meetings to discuss account/channel forecasted requirements and close gaps on any issues. Demand Planner must maintain a thorough understanding of the account/channel business and operations. Consistently, communicates major changes, issues to Brand Marketing/Trade Marketing/Supply Planning/Sales.
• Measure, monitor and report key performance metrics. Obtain feedback, analyze results, perform root cause analysis and generate reports.
• Obtain information from various systems, such as APO, SAP, Business Warehouse, and others as needed. Define ongoing information systems requirements and participate in software solution evaluation.

If you have some or all of the below, we want to talk to you!

• BS / BA Degree (Management, Supply Chain, Finance)
• Forecasting Experience 1-2 years
• Excellent knowledge and experience utilizing statistical modeling techniques
• Knowledge or exposure to replenishment/collaborative account forecasting processes
• Strong Computer Skills (Excel, Access, Forecasting Tool Software)
• Excellent Communication Skills (Oral & Written)
• Strong Decision Making Skills
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to initiate process change

Instant Brands, Made for Together

Our Values: We drive results and create value together One Team - We love our Consumers We "Wow" Them - We challenge each other, always have an open mindset and welcome new ideas - We are a Global Company and we think globally - We have integrity in all that we do

Instant Brands is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status or any other legally protected status. Members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Keywords: World Kitchen, LLC, Downers Grove , Demand Planner (Downers Grove, IL) (13461), Other , Downers Grove, Illinois