Senior Demand Planner

**Who We Are**:
Since 1906, New Balance has empowered people through sport and craftsmanship to create positive change in communities around the world. We innovate fearlessly, guided by our core values and driven by the belief that conventions were meant to be challenged. We foster a culture in which every associate feels welcomed and respected, where leaders and creatives are inspired to shape the world of tomorrow by taking bold action today. At New Balance, We Got Now.

**JOB MISSION**:
The Senior Demand Planner will be covering a designated category, and responsible for all aspects of the EMEA S&OP monthly processes for that category and for designated markets. This individual will also be responsible for the provision of an accurate model and style level EMEA demand plan, through the consensus forecasting process. The Senior Demand Planner will ensure a category supply plan to support agreed subsidiary demand is available within key systems, and manage category inventory levels to agreed targets, ensuring that risks and opportunities are clearly communicated to the organisation.

**You will step into this critical role during **an** 18-month cover.**

**MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES**:

- Develop the regional demand plan for specific product categories at style level, considering primarily volume but including value and SKU requirements and to ensure that inventory is positioned appropriately, to support the agreed category plan.
- Highlight risks and opportunities to the business and work collaboratively to implement agreed actions.
- Act as Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Champion as a key stakeholder of the organisation. Assist with S&OP implementation activities, ensuring that S&OP process steps are in alignment with corporate processes.
- Lead consensus meetings with members of the organisation, to align on monthly and/or quarterly style level forecasts, to be used for business planning across a rolling 18-month horizon.
- Manage category inventory for the wholesale subsidiary businesses, to meet inventory turns, product obsolescence and availability targets.
- Manage inventory replenishment forecasts to support retail development (currently on hold).
- Support the business by developing insights that provide the organization with high value information with respect to their consumers, customers, product assortment and the financial health of the business.
- Improve the overall demand planning and S&OP processes by establishing and implementing standard methodologies, relevant tools, and reporting capabilities.

**Planning**
- In conjunction with the Category Manager/Integrated Planning Manager develop long term (3 year+) category level plans.
- Develop rolling 3-year category/model sales plan (units, gross/net revenue). Analyse plan versus OGSP targets, identify and highlight to leadership gaps and issues as part of overall S&OP process.

**Forecasting**
- Develop 18-month sales forecast by style considering market data, Sales input and OGSP.
- Develop ad hoc long term project forecasts as required.
- Track and report forecast movements versus plan/target.
- Improve ongoing forecasting accuracy.
- Ensure production requirements are met.
- Prompt bridge plans (forecast versus target).
- Range review/drop decisions in season.
- Develop replenishment forecast/plan for agreed styles on a weekly/monthly basis.

**Inventory Management**
- Control of category/business Open to Buy and highlight any potential issues to the business.
- Identify excess/redundant inventory and ensure action plans are in place to liquidate.
- Manage subsidiary inventory levels to support agreed plans (availability and stock turn).
- Deliver pull forward target.

**Purchasing**
- Develop 18-month purchase forecast by style/model ensuring production and inventory targets are met.
- Determine purchase quantities to satisfy expected customer demand whilst adhering to inventory turns and availability targets.
- Communicate buy/no buy decisions to business.

**Reporting**
- Report of purchase decisions and impact upon availability/customer orders.
- Monitor incoming supply highlighting key risks to category plan to prompt mitigating actions.
- Availability reporting - clearance and regular.

**REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESS**:

- Forecasting, Sales Planning or Demand Planning (does not have to be in sport/fashion environment).
- Relevant degree and relevant number of years' experience.
- Knowledgeable of sales channels planning, the sales process, Demand Planning, purchasing programs, life cycle management and the link to supply.
- Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills with an emphasis on problem solving, conflicting objectives, and dealing with multiple customers.
- Ability to interpret data and use to influence key partners in S&OP process.
- Ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and to manage time, multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
- Must have solid communication and presentation skills.
- Eu