Alta Cycling Group:
Demand Planner Job in Kent, WA

Alta Cycling Group is a premier cycling company offering mid-range to upper level bicycles, bicycle parts, and accessories to North America. Some of our brands include Diamondback, Redline, and iZip. Alta is committed to constant innovation, cutting edge technology and providing the best possible experience for our customers.

Alta Cycling Group was formed through the acquisition and rebranding of Accell Group North America by private equity firm Regent, L.P.

Same great brands, just a new name tag!

Summary:

This Demand Planning position is responsible for all forecasting activities. The Demand Planner creates and maintains forecasts at the model level, incorporating business intelligence and forecast information gathered from sales, marketing, finance, retailer replenishment analysts, and other sources (e.g., Nielsen or other syndicated consumer data). The Demand Planner will use the resulting forecast to prepare a supply plan which maximizes working capital and inventory efficiency.

The Demand Planner is the supply chain integration point into the sales and commercial organization. Basic forecast modeling is the responsibility of this position. This position leads a dialogue each month with Management and key counterparts in Sales and Marketing to report the results of the forecasting and supply planning cycle.

This position is the talent pool for Senior Demand Planner and Demand Planning Manager and will be part of the transformation as the company upgrades its legacy ERP and data management systems in the future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop demand forecasts (operational forecasts) at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons.
• Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results.
• Coordinate cross-functional research activities to refine the forecast model to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions.
• Interact with sales, marketing, and finance to understand demand forecast drivers, utilizing a collaborative and consensus approach by working with Sales, Marketing and Finance to obtain and ensure that current and accurate information is used for demand forecasts.
• Use and maintain the MS Excel based Planning tools as the primary forecasting system tool.
• Prepare, report and communicate a unified forecast by leading monthly meetings with management and key commercial team members.
• Apply results of Demand Planning to create an inventory efficient Supply Plan
• Develop inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs.
• Perform special projects as necessary, if assigned.

Job Functions:

Create statistical forecasts:

- Gather, analyze and validate data
- Prepare statistical models
- Review resulting statistical forecast model
- Apply error analysis techniques to improve forecasting
- Summarize/aggregate statistical forecasts
Review sales plans, customer finance Budget Updates or Latest Estimates and demand drivers:
- Present, solicit, and assess feedback on the various forecasts from sales, and finance
- Recommend adjustments for operational forecasts
- Review promotional plans with sales

Achieve consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process with sales, marketing and finance personnel:

- Prepare relevant material to facilitate research and discussion
Provide input to volume planning (Latest Estimates / annual process)
- Facilitate and manage demand planning/customer meetings
- Achieve consensus with the business side and the demand chain
- Maintain demand planning system and software
- Enter and modify data and ensure the correctness of product hierarchy
- Monitor trends in forecast error
- Identify relevant market-related data and competitive intelligence
- Prepare and maintain relevant reports pertaining to demand planning process
- Prepare model level Supply Plan and item level assortment of approved plan

Key Results:

• A demand forecast which incorporates current and accurate market information that allows the company to correctly predict demand.
• Provide supply chain with the appropriate information to plan how to meet that demand.
• Improved relationships among planners, sales, marketing and finance, which will lead to effective knowledge sharing and an optimal consensus forecast to better guide the company.
• Refined systems and methods to continually improve forecasts so that the company can better anticipate customer needs.

Required Education / Experience / Specific Job-related Skills:

• Two to Three years of experience in demand planning. Experience in the bicycle industry a plus
• BA/BS college degree or equivalent experience
• Mastery skill level with Microsoft Excel
• ASCM, APICS or other forecasting certification preferred
• Flexibility and the ability to quickly adapt to change in the work environment
• Be able to work under pressure within a time frame
• Other:

Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting and forecasting methods with an understanding of financial and operational impacts. Knowledge of demand planning software like SAP/APO or Oracle beneficial.

This position requires strong analytical, organizational, decision making, and presentation skills. Strong interpersonal skills are also essential to effectively interact with all teams, areas and levels of business affecting the forecast process. Good facilitation skills are required.