Sr. Planner, Demand Forecasting and Allocation

Summary:

Drive strategy and delivery of allocation and inventory plans to maximize sales and profit. Optimize inventory investment to achieve service level goals. Develop solid working relationships with Merchants, Distribution Center/Central Labs, and Operations partners to deliver strategic initiatives in support of VSP Network Brands.

Pay Class and Pay:

Pay Class: Full Time

Pay: $71,444.76- $95,259.67

Essential Responsibilities:

LEADERSHIP:

• Challenge the process by searching for opportunities to grow, improve and innovate
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners as the authority on frame, lens & accessories demand and allocation planning
• Lead/coordinate cross functional activities with others in the organization
• Participate and be the subject matter expert in supply chain enterprise projects, for the Network brands supported

DEMAND & SERVICE LEVEL MANAGEMENT:

• Manage sku forecasting process with input from Merchandising Planning and Merchants, to drive sales and optimize inventory
• Minimize backorders to ensure product flow in order to achieve in-stock service level goal and minimizing special orders
• Maximize in-stock service level to meet consumers' needs and our manufacturing promise time
• Partner on DC inventory distortion decisions to meet consumer needs and drive sales
• Analyze and report forecast accuracy with measures such as WMAPE (Weighted mean absolute percentage error) and Cost of Forecast Error.
• Determine purchase order quantities for new product launches, refreshes, and expansions in partnership with Merchants
• Influence purchase order quantities on replenishment product in accordance to our open to buy
• Support the roll out of merchandise system(s) to ensure a smooth transition within the Merchandising department, specifically related to demand forecasting
• Handles all aspects of the NPI process, including
• confirming buy quantities, placing POs, follow up on deliveries, collaborating with website merchandising & assortment planning, and managing the QA process.

ALLOCATION PLANNING:

• Govern delivery of inventory plans through management of inventory targets
• Ensure accuracy of systemically transferred data through various planning systems to support demand
• Manage high importance skus that support promotional and seasonality time periods
• Make inventory distortion decisions to meet consumer needs and drive sales
• Manage sell-down process and alleviation of risk on discontinued product
• Pattern key markets in partnership with Operations, Merchandise Planning and Merchants to understand consumer & store needs
• Develop and maintain inventory reporting to support key KPIs while supporting sales and maximizing productivity of working capital

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT:

• Partner with Distribution Center, Manufacturing, and Merchants to deliver sales plan and service level agreements
• Manage cross functional relationships to deliver strategic objectives
• Partner with Merchants on vendor relationships to deliver sales plan and service level agreements
• Collaborate closely with vendors on anticipated forecasts and purchase orders

SUPPLY CHAIN OPTIMIZATION

• Partner with vendors to ensure in-stock service level goals and to minimize excess
• Drive sales & optimize inventory through partnership with vendors and DCs as well as focus on forecast accuracy
• Collaborate with Operations on assortment changes
• Approve vendor invoices in partnership with Accounting and Finance.

ANALYTICS & INSIGHTS

• Provide sku level analytics and insights to drive sales and optimize inventory
• Collaborate with Operations, Merchandise Planning and Merchants to understand consumer & store needs
• Share best practices across Merchandise organization

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in retail, finance, supply chain, or operations

Experience & Background:

Language Skills:

• Professional written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills

Mathematical Skills:

• Add, subtract, multiply, divide, compute rates, rations and percentages
• Advanced understanding of analytical concepts

Reasoning Ability

• Working knowledge of Planning, Buying and Merchandising principles
• Proficient computer skills - Excel, merchandising and planning systems
• Finance and accounting principles - able to communicate financial plans and results from a merchandise perspective

• Strong analytical and mathematical skills - able to extract conclusions from available data

Essential Responsibilities related to Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the associate is required to enter and retrieve data from a computer, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and talk or hear most of the time. The associate is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Required repetitive motion of sitting and using hands or fingers to feel. The noise level in this location is moderate (use of computers, printers and machines). Overnight travel by car/plane required.

Essential Responsibilities related to Behavioral Characteristics:

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to execute detailed tasks and processes
• Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to obtain cooperation and voluntary support of other departments
• Ability to interact with others and influence the actions of others
• Work under stress with interruptions and deadlines
• Ability to accomplish time tabled goals
• Ability to work onsite and participate in interactive onsite meetings on a regular and predictable basis
• Ability to initiate immediate interaction, coordination and collaboration with team members, clients, customers etc.