Inventory Planner

Artsana USA Inc., maker of the renowned Chicco brand of infant and juvenile products, seeks a talented and driven person to fill an Inventory Planner position located in our US headquarters office in Lancaster, PA.

Reporting to the Demand Planning Manager, the Inventory Planner is responsible for assisting in creating and executing a plan that enables the company to meet sales objectives and supply our customers based on future demand. This person will work closely with internal and external partners to identify opportunities, develop strategies, and coordinate efforts to ensure that the company has access to the right products at the right time. This is achieved through developing effective forecast models based on industry trends and demand patterns, estimating inventory requirements, and supporting management with risk assessments and mitigation activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build forecasting models by estimating future demand for the companys products and analyzing inventory flow
• Generate reports and analyze metrics, communicating forecast and inventory estimations to management
• Propose and implement solutions to improve demand forecast accuracy
• Plan and track product inventory for new items to meet launch timeline
• Identify variances based upon historical performance and expected future activities of products, planning inventory needs for future demand.
• Work with internal departments to ensure correct dating of orders to manage customer expectations and avoid unnecessary past-due orders
• Address demand-related issues in a timely and effective manner
• Serve as back-up and assist Planning Manager and Sales Business Analyst
• Other duties as assigned

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REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree in business, supply chain, or other relevant field
• Minimum of 2 years experience in an inventory or demand planning/forecasting role
• Solid understanding of inventory management practices
• Forecasting experience
• Strong sense of urgency
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced knowledge of Excel
• Knowledge of SAP modules (R/3, APO, and BW)
• Experience with global shipments a plus