Customer Planning & Business Analytics Manager

Who We Are

Munchkin is one of the most innovative and fast-growing consumer product companies in the world!  After 30 years of being a leader in the baby industry, Munchkin is growing up and expanding our business reach to even more consumers with the launch of Curio, a highly curated line of home products inspired by curiosity. 

Founded in 1990, Munchkin has sold billions of dollars of products through our key retail partners: Target, Walmart and Amazon and has global distribution in over 45 countries.  At Munchkin, we make world-class, award-winning products, and believe in only producing the safest ones on the market.  We are industry leaders in design and innovation with over 140 international product and brand design awards in the past 5 years and growing!  Munchkin has a world-class portfolio of over 300 patents and has recently averaged over 20 new patents per year.

We lead with our core values and believe that investing in the community is our responsibility.  We create opportunities for every child’s potential and well-being through the Radiant Colors program, work to create a sustainable future, and in partnership with the International Fund for Animal welfare have committed to animal conservation. 

There is no better time than now to join Munchkin as we embark on our next and biggest growth journey moving us into technology focused, higher valued products, and household consumer goods.  Munchkin is growing up and you could be the next influential leader to play a key role in driving enormous customer-centered value and join us on our journey toward rapid growth. 

Position Summary:

Reporting directly to the Walmart Senior Sales Director, the Customer Planning and Business Analytics Manager is a critical team member in driving Munchkin’s efforts across our relationships with Walmart’s omni business. Be the thought leader on customer planning and the key field liaison for determining and recommending the best programs to achieve both Munchkin Compass goals and to drive Joint Business Planning Initiatives at Walmart. Ensure the accurate flow of inventory between Walmart and Munchkin by maintaining accurate forecasts by analyzing sales velocity, seasonality, impact of historical OOS, and Walmart internal forecasts systems. Maintain accurate records and data workbooks to provide visibility of inventory opportunities and challenges to stakeholders such as, Sales, Replenishment, Supply Chain, and Planning Teams. Accountable for executing Item 360 uploads for all new product introductions and all price changes. You will closely partner with Walmart Replenishment Managers and Demand Planners on Forecast Planning, Inventory Reviews, Munchkin & Walmart receipt alignment, and meet the day to day needs to deliver on instock goals. This role will collaborate with other members of Munchkin’s Headquarters teams, the Walmart Sales Team, and the Walmart Sr. Sales/Replenishment Analyst to manage and deliver growth by achieving forecast accuracy of 75%, weeks on hand supply targets, and maintaining 98.5% instock across Walmart Stores, Walmart.com, and Online Grocery Pick-Up.

This person will own the Walmart forecast and customer business-planning process, translating sales, inventory, and customer data into clear actions that improve forecast accuracy, in-stock performance, and profitable growth. The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration across Sales, Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Replenishment, Marketing, and Finance, as well as the ability to quickly learn and effectively navigate Walmart’s systems, processes, and ways of working.

This role will be based in the Bentonville, Arkansas area.

What You’ll Do:

• Analyzing Retail Link data for the purposes of: Planning, forecasting, budgeting, financial impact, and trend identification.
• Analyze IRI data to evaluate top selling Munchkin items and competitive items across all retailers to identify missing items at Walmart. This would include item swap opportunities, modular recommendations, pack count revisions, and color trend recommendations.
• Work closely with Trade Marketing Manager, Item Master Data Analyst, Marketing Coordinator, and the Sales Support Team to be the expert on Munchkin item configurations, suffix changes, UPC revisions, and product dimensions.
• Responsible for new item setup, existing item maintenance in Item 360, and price change forms.
• Oversee Walmart’s Supply Plan and GRS through portfolio management, inventory planning, partnering with Supply Chain, Planning Team, and Walmart Sales Team to meet operational targets.
• Apply operational precision and leverage analytics to make sound, data-driven decisions, and fact-based recommendations to the Walmart Sales Team.
• Analyze Walmart GRS and AIMS for Walmart omni-items to complete Walmart escalation templates and Munchkin Receipt alignment documents.
• Develop and communicate to the company and customer on an agreed cadence, identifying Walmart and Munchkin forecast accuracy, solves for instock challenges, ordering accuracy, and recommend tactics to put in place to eliminate inventory issues.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Team and Sales Team to identify the projected volume of proposed new items and complete priority ranking forms.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Bring It!

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required.
• Minimum of 3-years of experience in a related field of customer planning, inventory management, demand planning, or forecasting at a CPG company.
• Demonstrated ownership of customer forecasting and business planning, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations, influence cross-functional partners, and execute plans that improve sales, inventory, and profitability.
• Strong focus on results, capable of identifying and tracking critical metrics, identifying key opportunities and issues and develop/execute plans to address.
• Ability to leverage data analytics to unlock opportunities and drive sales growth while maintaining profitability.
• Demonstrated ability to use multiple information sources to develop accurate sales planning, OOS, and oh-hand analysis, and forecasting across 300+ items.
• You're a self-starter... who can adapt to an ever-changing retail and supplier environment.
• You have a strong understanding of financials... and, most importantly, how to translate complex information into user-friendly insights and tactics.
• Robust cross functional collaboration skills, and the ability to develop relationships within the organization to gain support and achieve results
• Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Retail Link, and IRI.
• Strong analytical skills and financial understanding of Walmart systems.
• Highly organized and detail oriented with a strong passion to win and must have ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and work independently.
• Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with all contacts both inside and outside the company with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Superior communication, organization, and analytical skills.
• Minimal travel required.

We Got You Covered!

As a Great Place to Work Certified™ company, we are committed to offering the best to our employees.  We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, vision, dental, and life coverages, wellness benefits, generous employer-matched 401(k) plan, bonuses, opportunities to earn equity, and much more.  We focus on supporting employee development and growth. 

We regularly hold social functions to foster a genuine camaraderie that enhances teamwork. At our company-wide award functions, we take time to recognize the talent and dedication of the people who make Munchkin the most loved baby lifestyle brand in the world.

We offer work-life balance benefits such as paid maternity and paternity leave and annual weeklong global office closures giving our people a chance to recharge!

To learn more, visit us at www.munchkin.com.
Munchkin embraces diversity and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.