Planning Manager

Posted by Sunday Afternoons, Inc. on 12/16/2024

Job Basics

Industry Sector: Outdoor

Job Categories: Sourcing

Company Type: Apparel/SoftGoods

State: OR

City: Ashland Hybrid Remote

Country: United States

Required Experience: 5 - 7 years

Job Type: Full Time

Salary:

Required to Relocate: No

Required to Travel: Yes

Employee May Telecommute: No

Job Seeker Must Live Within: 50+ miles

Job Description & Requirements

We want to hear from you if you want to work in a small but growing company with an outstanding culture where you could thrive accurately forecasting and optimizing inventory management. 

We offer a fun, fast-paced, and dog-friendly work environment. Salary is negotiable based on education and relevant experience. Excellent benefits (medical, dental, vision, retirement, and wellness) are also provided.  We offer a hybrid-remote work environment; work shifts are longer Monday through Thursday to allow for half-days on Fridays. 

To learn more and apply for this outstanding career opportunity, visit Sunday Afternoons, Inc. to see available opportunities.

JOB DESCRIPTION   

PURPOSE:

The Planning Manager plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and ensuring the seamless alignment of demand and supply within our global headwear business. This position exists to optimize inventory management, enhance forecast accuracy, and support business growth by delivering the right products to the right place at the right time in the right amount.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES: The following tasks represent what the position typically performs; tasks and work priorities may change at any time, and other job duties may be assigned.

Demand Planning

Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts at the SKU level using historical data, market trends, and promotional activities.

Collaborate with sales, marketing, and merchandising teams to integrate market intelligence into forecasting models.

Monitor and adjust forecasts based on business changes, seasonality, and customer feedback.

·       Supply Planning

Design and manage supply plans to ensure product availability while optimizing inventory levels.

Coordinate with sourcing, production, and procurement teams to align supply with demand requirements.

Mitigate supply chain risks by identifying potential disruptions and developing contingency plans.

·       Inventory Management

Oversee inventory health across multiple sales channels, including retail, e-commerce, wholesale across domestic and international markets.

Implement inventory optimization strategies to reduce excess stock and improve turn rates.

Regularly review and adjust safety stock levels to balance service levels and operational costs.

·     Seasonal Plan & Margin Management

Collaborate with Head of Product in the development of annual and seasonal merchandise plans.

Develop pre-season top-down/bottom-up level plans for sales, inventory, markdowns/sell-out plans, style counts, productivity, and margin in partnership with the Head of Product.

·    Analytics and Reporting

 Track key performance metrics, including forecast accuracy, fill rates, and inventory turns, and recommend improvements.

Generate actionable insights from data to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.

Present regular updates to senior leadership on demand/supply trends, risks, and opportunities.

·       Collaboration and Communication

Act as the central point of contact for planning-related activities, ensuring alignment between cross-functional teams.

Support new product launches and seasonal rollouts with coordinated demand/supply plans.

Foster strong relationships with sourcing and logistics teams to ensure timely delivery and quality assurance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience.

Experience: 

• 5+ years in demand/supply planning or inventory management, preferably in the fashion, apparel, or accessories industry.
• 2+ years of experience in a lead or supervisory role is preferred.

Skills: 

Advanced proficiency in forecasting tools and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, NetSuite, or similar).

Strong analytical skills with expertise in Excel and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

Detail-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Knowledge: 

·        Familiarity with headwear product categories and associated supply chain nuances.

·       Understanding OF industry trends, seasonality, and customer behavior in fashion and accessories.

About Sunday Afternoons, Inc.

A global leader in technical hats that offer superior protection from the elements, Sunday Afternoons has been redefining headwear for over 25 years.  Oregon-based and family-owned, the company offers a year-round collection specializing in UPF 50+ sun protection, patented performance technologies, innovative features, classic styling, and lightweight materials.