Roles & Responsibilities / Job Description: Demand and Supply Planner

 

Department: Supply Chain

 

Reports To: Supply Chain Manager

 

About the Company:

Pearson is a global education company that helps people around the world to make progress in their lives through learning. With a rich heritage that combines 150 years of experience in publishing with the latest learning technology and digital services, we help people to learn whatever, wherever and however they choose.

 

Our strength comes from our outstanding people; our strong relationships in the education world; our expertise in using technology to help people learn; our global footprint and local reach; and our position as a profitable, global company with a unifying sense of purpose.

 

Job Description:

The Demand and Supply Planner creates and maintains forecast models, incorporating business intelligence and forecast information gathered from sales, product, finance, and other sources.

 

The Demand and Supply Planner manages inventory levels across the supply chain to ensure that there is enough stock to meet customer demand while minimizing waste and reducing costs. Ensure any disruptions that can affect order fulfilment are minimized through effective stock management and risk mitigation.

 

Role Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

Develop demand forecasts (operational forecasts) at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons as part of a demand planning function.Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results.Utilize a collaborative and consensus approach by working with Sales, Product, and Finance departments to obtain and ensure that current and accurate information is used for demand forecasts.

Establish purchase plan determining quantity, requested ship date and ship-to location. This includes new product launches and transitions to minimize inventory and service exposure.

Review/analyse the Demand Plan on a weekly basis and execute planned orders as required.

Manage inbound supply, communicate priorities to suppliers, and understand production issues.

Establish and maintain key planning parameters to ensure optimized and accurate inventory planning. 

Create Work Orders for production and order additional materials as required.

Monitor and manage inventory reconciliation and inventory obsolescence.

 

Required Education / Experience / Specific Job-related Skills:

2+ years of relevant supply chain planning and/or purchasing experience.

Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting and forecasting methods with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts.

Knowledge of Logility, SAP/APO, Oracle Demand Planning or other software related to demand planning is preferred.

Detailed working knowledge of MRP/DRP and inventory management systems.

Ability to use ERP systems as well as Microsoft Office applications.

Advanced Excel skills and knowledge of Oracle ERP and ASCP systems a plus.

This position requires strong analytical, organizational, decision making, and presentation skills. 

Strong interpersonal skills are also essential to effectively interact with all teams, areas and levels of business affecting the forecast process. Good facilitation skills are required.

BA/BS college degree or equivalent preferred.

APICS member and/or CPIM Certification a plus.