Demand Analyst - Inventory Management

Company: Essendant Inc.
Location: New York
Posted on: October 31, 2024

Job Description:

Essendant is a purpose-driven company that reaches beyond business goals to define its success within commerce today. We support our associates, customers and communities - our core values and guiding principles shape what we aspire to do. Integrity, Collaboration, Customer-Centric, Embrace and Drive Change are our core values that serve as the foundation of our pathway to success. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Giving Back, Associate Safety, and Accountability are our guiding principles that motivate us to focus on creating a safe and rewarding experience. Essendant is a leader in supporting the supply chain industry and has been in business for 100 years to deliver the best practices for our customers and associates. Join us at Essendant, the better way to commerce.Position Summary:The Demand Analyst is accountable for aligning customer demand to inventory stocking levels at Distribution Centers. This role is key to the organization as it uses analytical, clinical, internal and sales data to effectively estimate demand and stocking levels. The Demand Analyst determines the best measures to provide the most accurate representation of inventory, warehouse capacity, and purchase forecasts to support short- and long-term business requirements. This role will develop and present recommendations to IM leadership to resolve space constraints by driving efficiencies, collaborating with top vendors, and proposing new ways to support requirements while ensuring a plan in place to meet projected space utilization. A key responsibility will be to communicate expectations and priorities to external vendors in relation to their ability to meet our forecast and contractual obligations. The approach will be collaborative both internally and externally to ensure enterprise-wide optimal solutions.Primary Responsibilities:

• Utilizing Demand Planning expertise, creates statistical forecasts by data analysis and using input from internal and external customers, validates data, reviews statistical forecast models, and applies error analysis techniques to improve forecasting.
• Develops ongoing safety stock strategies to keep customer service levels high while driving cost efficiencies. Evaluates demand and lead time fluctuations to protect against uncertainty and prevent disruption in production.
• Measures forecast accuracy and finds best fit forecasting method to achieve the desired level of accuracy.
• Achieves consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process with all stakeholders (S&OP). Prepares relevant material to facilitate research and discussion.
• Lead monthly collaborative planning forecasting meetings with key suppliers to share forecasts and address any gaps as needed to prevent production interruptions due to material shortages.
• Lead monthly collaborative demand meetings with internal customers to drive discussions around future usage and new product introductions.
• Continuously identify and develop areas for improvement related to the forecasting process.
• Collaborates in the development of the forecasting tools (Manhattan), process flows, work instructions, and SOPs as related to demand planning.
• Provides input to supply planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and phase-outs.
• Manages performance to maintain adherence to key metrics.
• Understands and demonstrates Essendant's Core Values and Guiding Actions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.Basic Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in business/supply chain, or relevant front-line experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in demand planning or forecasting role, preferred.
  • 3+ years of work experience in demand planning, preferably in an item-intensive multi-channel environment.
  • Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting, and forecasting methods with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts, required. 4+ years of work experience in Supply Chain is required.Preferred Qualifications:
    • Expert level mathematical and analytical skills.
    • Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
    • Self-motivated, organized critical thinker with solid interpersonal and business communication skills.
    • Experience working with Supply Chain Planning and Inventory Management systems (i.e. E3, JDA, Manhattan)Benefits:
      • 401k with matching
      • Company Holidays
      • Overtime Pay for hourly employees
      • Paid Vacation, Floating Holidays, and Sick TimeEssendant drives to be inclusive and celebrates diversity by starting with our associates. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that is committed to building a diverse and inclusive environment. We strongly encourage candidates to apply for opportunities, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. At Essendant we are building an elevated community by creating a safe and supportive work environment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind, including or based on age, race, color, disability, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. People are what drives our company. We are one team with endless possibilities. We are Essendant.
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Keywords: Essendant Inc., Fairfield , Demand Analyst - Inventory Management, Executive , New York, Connecticut