Demand Planner

Description:

Zebra Pen is seeking a Demand Planner who will develop, maintain, and improve demand forecasts that align customer sales expectations with business operations. This role serves as a key link between Sales, Operations, Manufacturing, Customer Service, and Product Management to ensure demand forecasts support inventory planning, production schedules, and overall business objectives.

This position analyzes sales history, customer inventory levels, POS data, promotional activity, seasonality, new product introductions, and product transitions to create accurate demand forecasts. The Demand Planner works closely with Sales Managers and cross-functional teams to understand customer requirements, identify risks and opportunities, and ensure forecasts are translated into actionable plans.

The role requires strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with a solid understanding of forecasting, inventory management, manufacturing processes, and supply chain operations.

Requirements:

• 3-5 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, supply chain planning, replenishment, sales operations, or a related analytical role.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Analytics, Finance, or a related field preferred.

• Experience with forecasting software, inventory planning, and ERP systems preferred.

• Experience supporting a sales-driven, customer-focused business environment preferred.

• Consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, or mass merchant experience preferred.

• Experience with POS reporting, customer inventory analytics, replenishment systems, and EDI transactions preferred.

• Exposure to D365, Crystal Reports, Walmart/Sam's Club Retail Link, or similar customer reporting systems is a plus.

• Strong analytical, forecasting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and identify trends, risks, and opportunities.

• Knowledge of demand planning, forecasting, inventory management, replenishment, manufacturing processes, and supply chain operations.

• Experience using forecasting and business systems, including ERP platforms (D365 preferred), Netstock or similar planning software, reporting tools, EDI data, and customer portals.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word.

• Ability to analyze forecast accuracy, variances, inventory performance, service levels, and root causes to support business decisions and process improvements.

• Strong organizational, project management, and multitasking skills with the ability to manage changing priorities and deadlines.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and cross-functional communication skills.

• Ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with Sales, Operations, Manufacturing, Customer Service, and other stakeholders.

• Strong business judgment, decision-making ability, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information.

• Ability to translate sales plans, customer insights, and market trends into actionable demand forecasts.

• Experience creating reports, conducting research, and presenting findings and recommendations to management.