Distribution Demand Planner

The Distribution Demand Planner plays an essential role in growing talent in our business through collaboration and sharing best practices with the Demand & Inventory Planning team. You know how to be curious about their opportunities and how to be real with feedback and support. 

We are looking for a dynamic and creative individual who identifies with our values and ethics to join our support team as a Distribution Demand Planner.  The role’s responsibility is to manage the Distribution Requirements Plan and secure the timely availability of finished goods to meet the needs of the Retail and Digital channels As a growing business, Lush needs people that can adapt and evolve to the needs of our business, analyze and respond to your learner’s needs. Our Lush staff live with purpose, finding their personal value connection with the values of our business, bringing their work and life paths into one holistic journey. #mylushlife

Reporting to the Demand and Inventory Planning Manager, the Distribution Demand Planner undertakes the following RESPONSIBILITIES:

Distribution Requirements Planning

• Effectively manage weekly planning cycle to build appropriate Distribution Requirements Plans (DRP) across multiple product categories
• Identify supply exceptions and work cross functionally with the Master Production Scheduler to resolve. Communicate constraints to Retail Demand and Inventory Planners
• Collaborate with Master Production Scheduler to reconcile production schedule vs. Distribution Requirements Plan and make supply chain optimization recommendations such as expediting, postponement, consolidation or supply reduction. 
• Provide input to the Master Production Schedulers in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs
• Review transfer opportunities between distribution centers for seasonal or limited-edition products 
• Generate and maintain distribution Safety Stocks that limit stock outs while ensuring product freshness
• Manage fulfillment of products with constrained supply based on replenishment metrics
• Track OTIF performance, analyzing root cause of issues and recommending improvements
• Partner with the Retail Demand Planners and Inventory Planners to improve customer service levels on OTIF and other KPIs 
• Work with Master Production Scheduler, Distribution and other stakeholders to improve peak season capacity constraints by optimizing physical inventory flow 

Sales and Operations Planning

• Partner with the cross functional business team to ensure a successful Sales and Operations Planning process that balances supply and demand
• Provide analysis and scenario plans to support demand and supply consensus process, and articulate recommendations to supply chain team highlighting service, inventory and logistics cost impact or trade-offs
• Support and encourage the adoption of Supply and Operations Planning best practices 

Administrative & Other Functions

• Generating reports and preparing summaries for Management and other teams
• Facilitate the documentation of supply chain planning processes and workflows through Process Documents and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
• Develop new KPIs where necessary to drive performance improvement 

Key Results:

• A Distribution Requirements Plan that allows the company to correctly provide its supply chain with the appropriate information to meet that demand and identify exceptions.
• Improved relationships among planners, manufacturing, retail, marketing and finance, which will lead to effective knowledge sharing and an optimal balance of demand and supply.
• Refined systems and methods to continually improve forecasts so that the company can better anticipate customer needs.
• Execute with excellence in the area of customer replenishment and feedback to the supply chain group on opportunities and risks regarding customer replenishment performance metrics.
• Responsible for hitting key performance indicators (KPI) including Forecast Accuracy (WMAPE), Forecast Bias, OTIF and Waste

You bring the following QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• 3 - 5 years experience in Demand or Supply Planning for a medium to large sized business (>100 doors)
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting and forecasting methods 
• Advanced skills in MS Excel including pivots, macros and charts
• Able to interpret KPI and metrics data and convey results to a broad audience in clear and concise terms
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with all departments and levels of the organization
• Proven success record in training and development of others and building strong teams
• Accustomed to working in a highly seasonal, high pressure environment 
• Ability to prioritize tasks and balance the immediate and long term needs of the business

Preferred:

• A university or college degree
• Experience with Inventory Planning software such as Arkieva
• Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics AX
• Previous experience in the food or cosmetics industry considered 
• Able to travel domestically and internationally
  
  

Job Type: Regular, Full Time. Remote position open to applicants all across Canada.

Thriving with a diverse company culture, celebrating the uniqueness of our staff and committed to inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all interested applicants; however, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

We’re 10% Employee Owned - all colleagues play a role in protecting our ethics and our independence, contributing ideas for the future and sharing in the rewards of success when the company is doing well.

#LI-IS1

Recruitment Process Overview: