Senior Demand Planner

Position: Senior Demand Planner

Reports To: SVP of Sourcing & Supply Chain

Location: Marysville, OH

About Us:

RUDIS is a leader in the wrestling apparel and footwear industry, committed to delivering innovative and high-quality products that resonate with athletes and fans alike. We are passionate about the sport and driven to support wrestlers with products that enhance their performance and express their identity.

Job Overview:

RUDIS is seeking a seasoned and analytical Senior Demand Planner to spearhead our retail sales strategies for footwear, accessories, and apparel. As part of a growing team, you will have the unique opportunity to directly contribute to planning initiatives alongside key leadership for multiple sales channels, driving our brand’s success from the ground up. This role demands a professional who is comfortable working independently, self-directing based on industry best practices, and confident in advanced data manipulation and analysis.

Key Responsibilities:

• Retail Sales Planning: Take full ownership of developing and managing comprehensive sales plans for footwear, accessories, and apparel. Ensure these plans align with financial objectives, market trends, and channel-specific strategies. This role requires someone who is proactive and self-directed, capable of driving key business decisions for growth and category investments.
• Strategic Collaboration: While reporting directly to the VP of Sourcing & Supply Chain, independently collaborate with key leaders to ensure sales projections are robust, accurate, and aligned with the broader financial strategy. Your work will be pivotal in shaping the company’s financial outcomes.
• Advanced Sales Analysis: Analyze current trends, business historicals, and marketing trends to forecast demand by product category and sales channel. Own the responsibility for making strategic recommendations that drive sales growth and optimize inventory levels, ensuring your analyses directly influence the company’s financial health.
• Detailed Unit Forecasting: Develop and take charge of detailed unit forecasts by product category and channel, ensuring projections are precise and fully integrated into the overall financial forecasting process. Your strong understanding of financial metrics, product strategy, and position will be critical in crafting accurate and actionable forecasts.
• Inventory Management: Independently monitor stock levels, minimizing excess inventory and stockouts. Ensure that inventory management aligns with forecasted demand by product and channel, relying on your self-directed analytical approach to maintain a lean and responsive inventory.
• Sales Plan Communication: Own the communication of detailed and strategic sales plans to the merchandising team, ensuring alignment with product development goals, timelines, and the company’s overarching financial strategy. Your ability to convey complex data clearly and confidently will be essential.
• Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitor sales performance and inventory sell through against forecasts, independently analyzing variances and adjusting strategies as needed to meet financial targets. This role requires a leader who can autonomously suggest improvements and refine approaches as market conditions evolve.
• Process Optimization: Lead efforts to independently refine and enhance demand planning processes, leveraging advanced tools and methodologies to improve accuracy and efficiency. You will have the autonomy and be expected to implement best practices for this business function.
• Independent Execution: Execute planning tasks with minimal supervision, applying industry best practices to all aspects of demand planning, analysis, and unit forecasting. Your self-direction and ownership of the work will be instrumental in achieving the company’s financial goals.
• Leadership Engagement: Engage with leadership to influence key decisions, ensuring that demand planning aligns with the company’s strategic goals and supports high-level financial planning. You will be a critical voice in the room, taking ownership of the demand planning process and contributing to the company’s growth and success.

Key Requirements:

• Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in demand planning, preferably within the fashion or retail industry, with a proven track record of success in a senior or leadership role.
• Skills: Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, proficiency in demand planning software, and expertise in handling complex data sets.
• Independence: Demonstrated ability to work independently, self-directing based on industry best practices, with confidence in data manipulation and analysis.
• Leadership: Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence key stakeholders across finance and product development.
• Communication: Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex data and strategies to diverse audiences.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; advanced degree or certifications are a plus.

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