Senior Global Demand Planner

Columbia Sportswear


A Different Kind Of Adventure

At Columbia Sportswear, we know a thing or two about adventures. We’ve been on one for over 70 years, constantly working to perfect the art and enjoyment of the greater outdoors. And behind everything we make is an employee who’s found that the greatest adventure starts with joining a company that offers them much more than just a paycheck. At Columbia, we believe that there’s over 3.5 million square miles of land to explore in the U.S. alone, but you don’t have to travel very far to find a great career.

The Senior Global Demand Planner is responsible for style level forecasts for specific categories from pre-season estimates to in-season monthly demand forecasts using historical data, statistical projections, and market feedback. The forecasts need to be monitored and maintained throughout the season. Forecast confidence, opportunities and risks need to be effectively communicated to Supply Planners and Buyers.

In addition the Senior Global Demand Planner works on validating long-range forecasts that impact distribution plans, works with the Demand Planner on the team, on line plan analysis and cross category roll-ups. The Senior Global Demand Planner is expected to train and work on ad hoc projects and in-depth analysis that help improve forecast accuracy.

Responsibilities:

  • Support line development process and SGPA by creating initial consensus seasonal style level forecasts in collaboration with Sales and Merchandising.
  • Support BUMs, SKU rationalization, and long range material planning by creating seasonal full-price sales forecasts at the style and style-color level.
  • Build monthly demand forecasts at style-color level as input for the finished goods flow plan maintained by the Supply Planner.
  • Coordinate and participate in the Account Projection Review process.
  • Determine and communicate forecast confidence, including risks and opportunities, to the Supply Planners.
  • Help management improve the forecasting model and process, through in-depth analysis of inputs to the forecast.
  • Serve as a training resource to other Demand Planners.

Requirements:

  • Bachelors Degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent work experience. MBA beneficial.
  • Minimum of five years of experience in supply chain management, planning, or distribution.
  • Demand planning experience required.
  • Apparel/footwear industry experience required.
  • International business experience desirable.
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
  • Proactive and assertive in follow-through with colleagues and business partners, including a high degree of self direction.
  • The ability to collaborate and influence others.
  • The ability to apply experience and knowledge to provide creative solutions to problems
  • A well developed ability to speak, read and write English, including writing clear and concise business communication.
  • The ability to speak in front of groups of varying sizes and levels within the company.
  • The ability to cope with ambiguity of information.
  • Experience in key supply chain functions including sales forecasting, material requirements, master production schedules, production planning, manufacturing, inbound and outbound logistics, and distribution.
  • Experience using information systems associated with demand and supply planning.
  • Significant experience using Microsoft Excel to create spreadsheets, charts and pivot tables; using of functions such as sumif, vlookup, and similar.
  • Moderate experience using Microsoft Access, including creating queries, table joins, creating simple reports
  • Previous work with other cultures in a business setting, and awareness of and sensitivity to cultural differences.

To apply, please search for this position and then complete the online registration here - limit results to corporate headquarters.