Director, Demand Planning (Merchandise)

Universal Orlando Resort believes in-person collaboration is key to our success. Many of our Team Members work in a hybrid capacity, contributing from the workplace a minimum of three days per week. There are also roles that require being on-site full time. Limited remote opportunities may be available within specific departments. You’ll learn more about this during the recruitment process.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position focuses on forecasting demand and aligning it with operational capabilities and business objectives. The Demand Planning Lead plays an essential part in developing and maintaining accurate models to forecast short-term and long-term demand, incorporating factors such as historical sales data, market trends, seasonality, and production plans. Additionally, they partner with the Strategy Planning team to provide category focused inputs into the revenue plans and drives the inventory plans.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the development of baseline and consensus demand forecasts for new product introductions as well as existing products, using historical data analysis, qualitative inputs, new merchandise schedules, forecasted sales, market trends, and collaborative input from merchandise product development, area merchandise operations, and brand managers.
• Continuously improve forecasting techniques, methods, and approaches through developing and monitoring KPIs, advanced analytics, and demand planning software tools. Monitor actual sales against forecasted demand to identify variances and refine forecasting models accordingly.
• Work closely with the supply planning and sourcing teams to ensure alignment between demand forecasts and supply capabilities and address any supplier related constraints.
• Liaise with cross functional teams to understand promotions, product launches and other events that may impact demand as well to address instances where the demand forecast falls short of current inventory ownership. Owns the pricing strategies and partners with the Revenue Management team to build out scenarios for proposed changes.
• Provide input into the routine business reporting cycles, preparing reports and present findings to support decision-making strategies such as service levels. Provide details related to category performance to help drive annual category plans in support of the overall operating plan. Owns data governance and item set up process.
• Provides training and guidance to the entire team related to business process improvements and system updates.
• Understands and actively participates in Environmental, Health & Safety responsibilities by following established UO policy, procedures, training and team member involvement activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field is required.
  
  

EXPERIENCE:

• 8 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, and inventory management with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
  
  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Requires interaction with global partners outside normal business hours.
• Strong statistical analysis skills with proficiency in forecast modeling techniques and use of demand planning software (e.g., SAP APO, Oracle Demantra, JDA Demand).
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel and SQL.
• Excellent communication skills for effective collaboration with stakeholders across various functions such as merchandise product development, area merchandise operations, and brand managers.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects involving multiple teams by providing direction and achieving consensus among diverse groups.
• Proactive problem-solving abilities coupled with strong organizational skills to manage complex datasets.
  
  

Your talent, skills and experience will be rewarded with a competitive compensation package.

Universal is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Universal Orlando via-email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from Universal Orlando HR/Recruitment will be deemed the sole property of Universal Orlando. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Universal Orlando as a result of the referral or through other means.

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