Manager Demand Planning

Purpose and Relevance for the organization:

Your task as Manager Demand Planning is the creation of the Wholesale Demand Plan for the sales area Adidas America. The Demand Plan (DP) is the basis for Purchasing and significantly influences the inventory management/stock turn and re-order availability. Therefore it is also the foundation for reaching sales and inventory targets. Main KPI is the Demand Plan accuracy in consideration of availability and inventory levels. In addition, you are the key user within the Demand Planning community and the point of contact for system-related topics.

Responsibilities:

Ranging & Strategy

• Execution of DP processes to support strategic initiatives to fulfill Demand Plan requirements
• Provide analysis for Demand Planning Partners to enable a fact-based decision making for future strategy
• Support and consult the Sales and Merchandising teams throughout the range creation and identify risks and opportunities based on analysis of the current business development
• Support End to End Planning initiatives

Planning

• Responsible for creating and updating the Rolling Demand Plan (RDP) for defined business area on article level for Wholesale in line with the Integrated Business Plan
  
  
  
  • Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results
  • Propose and implement solutions to improve demand forecast accuracy
  • Monitor and report on important changes in sales forecasts and business strategies
  • Coordinate cross-functionally to understand and reconcile significant forecast variances
  • Create and maintain size curves
  
  
  
  
• Observance of local and global timelines and deadlines
• Prepare and maintain relevant reports pertaining to demand planning process
• Observe markets regarding changes, chances and risks

KPIs:

• Demand Plan accuracy
• Demand Plan reliability
• Product availability
• Inventory management/stock turn
• Order fulfillment

Key Contacts:

• Business Unit Marketing teams
• Marketing Finance
• Concept to Consumer/Range Architecture
• Direct to Consumer
• Marketing Ops
• Supply Chain Purchasing
• Sales
• IT

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good analytical skills
• Excellent numerical skills
• Excellent SAP knowledge (APO & AFS)
• Advanced MS Excel skills
• Good knowledge of MS Office (Access, Power point, Word)
• Good communication skills
• Fluent in English

Educational Background/Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• 3-5 years of work experience in demand planning