Manager, Demand Planning

JOIN THE BEST TEAM IN SPORT & SPIRIT

At Varsity Brands, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed and every educator wants to make a difference. It takes a team to make a real impact, and through our two divisions – BSN SPORTS and Varsity Spirit – and our network of 6,000+ employees and independent representatives, we are proud to partner with a wide range of educational institutions and club and professional sports to transform the student journey in SPORT and SPIRIT.

WORK TYPE: Hybrid, 2 days onsite, 3 days remote

LOCATION DETAILS: Farmer’s Branch, TX

WORK HOURS: Monday – Friday; 8am-5pm CST

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT: >5%

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

As Manager of Demand Planning, you will lead demand planning and be the foundation of the S&OP process for the Varsity Spirit business. You will manage all cross-functional demand planning activities with teams such as Sales, Marketing, Product Development, Supply, Production, and Finance to reconcile significant variance drivers, refine forecast models, update assumptions, and provide guidance on corrective actions and improvements. Reporting to the Vice President of Demand Planning, you will be pivotal in driving strategically aligned business goals, making a significant impact on our organization and customers by ensuring operational excellence, strategic alignment, and exceptional customer experience.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Lead the monthly Consensus Forecast and Demand Planning process for Varsity Spirit, delivering cross-functionally aligned, feasible short and long-term demand plans. Ensure a disciplined and continuously improving process that allows for action planning and decision making
• Teach and mentor planning team members, fostering skill development and improving outcomes
• Collaborate with sales, merchandising, marketing, finance, strategic planning, and supply chain teams to gather insights that inform demand plans. Ensure your team’s regular communication with these groups to understand new initiatives, sales and marketing plans, consumer behavior, and growth targets
• Facilitate the S&OP process, increasing shared understanding of key business drivers and optimizing business decisions for improved financial & operational performance
• Oversee demand planning system and data integrity, manage analysis and validation of forecast models, and identify relevant market-related data and competitive intelligence
• Monitor and analyze key demand metrics, identifying areas for improvement and implementing initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, operational discipline, and innovation, driving a mindset of excellence and agility across the operations teams

QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS/ ABILITIES

• Attention to detail and quality: rigorously checking own work for accuracy and teaching the team to do the same
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to build strong relationships and work effectively across diverse teams
• Functional-technical experience with advanced forecasting and planning systems
• Strong business acumen, customer-centric mindset, and a deep understanding of market dynamics
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to facilitate win-win outcomes
• Resilience and adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• Innovative and creative thinking, with a passion for continuous improvement and driving operational excellence
• Ethical and values-driven leadership, committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field such as Supply Chain, Business, Statistics, Economics, Engineering, Science, etc.; Master's degree and APICS or CPF certification preferred
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive experience in operations leadership roles, with a proven track record of driving operational excellence and delivering results
• Extensive experience in demand planning as planner and manager, including S&OP leadership
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to leverage data and insights to drive informed decision-making
• Experience in a multi-category Consumer Packaged Goods or Apparel environment with MTO, CTO, and MTS production is preferred
• Driving process optimization and implementing scalable solutions
• Building and developing high-performing teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability
• Excellent project management skills, with a focus on execution, delivering on commitments, and managing stakeholders
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, manage complexity, and lead change in a dynamic business environment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment. Largely a sedentary role with some filing requiring the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending or standing on a stool as necessary. The ability to sit or stand for long periods through meetings and while operating office equipment, PC’s, laptop, telephone will be required.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; drive, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

During events, the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time (5 hours plus) is required. The ability to communicate with customers and colleagues using the following but not limited to radio, walkie talkie, text message and email is required. The ability to lift, bend, push, pull and manipulate equipment that is a minimum of 30 lbs. is required.

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OUR VALUES

Service - We lead with heart. We champion community.

Passion - We love what we do. It fuels our purpose.

Integrity - We do what we promise. We own our actions and decisions.

Respect - We earn it by giving it. Because everyone deserves it.

Innovation - We never stop striving to be better. For ourselves and our community.

Transparency - We are committed to openness and honesty in everything we do.

OUR BENEFITS

We are committed to putting you and your families first. For benefits eligible roles, we offer a variety of choices and costs as well as program enhancements that align with our responsibility to elevate the employee experience. Some of our offerings include:

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Employee Resource Groups
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.