Junior Demand Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview:

This role is responsible for leading demand forecasting and inventory planning activities across a dynamic consumer products environment, ensuring alignment between commercial demand, supply chain capabilities, and financial objectives. The position partners cross-functionally with Sales, Trade Marketing, Finance, Procurement, and Supply Planning teams to develop accurate SKU and customer level forecasts, support the S&OP / IBP process, and drive data-driven decision-making across the organization. This individual will play a key role in balancing service levels, inventory investment, and forecast accuracy while proactively identifying risks and opportunities within the demand plan.

The ideal candidate brings strong analytical and systems expertise, including advanced Excel modeling, demand planning platforms such as SAP IBP, Kinaxis, or o9, and experience working with retailer POS and syndicated market data in a CPG environment with the ability to improve planning and system processes,  mentor developing analysts, and enhance overall forecasting accuracy and planning performance.

About Us:

Driven by our mission to exceed the expectations of on-the-go consumers, Strategic Retail Partners has grown from a regional distributor of sunglasses founded in 1969 into an international leader of in-store merchandising solutions. We have built relationships with thousands of international, national, and regional retailers who rely on our customized solutions in more than 70,000+ locations across the U.S. and Canada. With warehouse facilities in several states and service representatives covering all regions of the country, there isn't a retail location we can't service.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain accurate SKU-level and customer-level demand forecasts across short (13-week) and mid-range (24-month rolling) planning horizons, incorporating consumer trends, retailer POS data, and promotional calendars.
• Integrate trade promotion plans, new product introductions, seasonal patterns, and distribution changes into the statistical baseline forecast.
• Manage finished goods inventory targets by SKU and channel, partnering with Supply Planning and Procurement on replenishment strategy.
• Ensure S&OP & cross-functional alignment
• Lead the monthly demand review within the S&OP / IBP cycle, facilitating consensus across Sales, Trade Marketing, Category Management, and Finance.
• Monitor and report on MAPE, Bias, and fill rate KPIs; conduct root cause analysis on forecast variances and drive corrective actions.
• Communicate demand risks and opportunities proactively to senior leadership with clear, data-driven recommendations.
• Build, maintain, and continuously improve advanced Excel models using Power Query, Power Pivot, and dynamic arrays to automate data ingestion from multiple retailer and internal sources.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on demand planning systems (e.g., SAP IBP, Kinaxis, o9, or similar); contribute to system configuration, process design, and user adoption during implementations or upgrades.
• Work with data from ERP systems, retailer portals, syndicated data providers (IRI/Circana, Nielsen), and internal databases; write or support SQL queries and data validation routines to ensure planning data integrity.
• Partner with IT and supply chain systems teams to identify and close data gaps, improve data flows, and support ongoing system enhancements.
• Mentor junior demand analysts; provide guidance on forecasting methodology, tool use, and stakeholder communication best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement of planning processes, documentation, and best practice sharing across the supply chain function.

Benefits and Perks:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Company paid short term disability and life insurance
• Paid holidays and floating holidays
• Flexible PTO
• 401(k) with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employees are paid weekly
• Hybrid role based out of Denver, CO with paid parking

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, political affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or veteran (U.S.) status. The company will provide accommodation to applicants, including those with disabilities, during the recruitment process, in accordance with applicable laws.

The gross annual salary range for this position is $90,000-$115,000 with an excellent benefits package.  Actual salaries will vary and are based on factors such as a candidate’s qualifications, skills, and competencies. 

• Minimum of three years of demand planning or supply chain experience, with at least 2 years in a CPG or consumer goods environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business, engineering, statistics, or a related field or experience in lieu of degree. 
• APICS CPIM or CSCP certification a plus.
• Advanced Excel proficiency including Power Query (M language), Power Pivot, DAX formulas, dynamic arrays, and structured data modeling — capable of building production-grade planning tools without IT support.
• Hands-on experience with a demand planning or APS system (SAP APO/IBP, Kinaxis RapidResponse, o9 Solutions, Logility, Blue Yonder, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience with demand or supply chain data — working with relational databases, writing SQL queries, or using BI tools (Power BI, Tableau) to extract and validate planning data.
• Proven ability to facilitate cross-functional consensus meetings and present complex data clearly to commercial and executive audiences.
• Strong working knowledge of CPG-specific planning dynamics: trade promotions, retailer sell-through, seasonal velocity, NPI, and SKU rationalization.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience participating in or leading a full-cycle demand planning system implementation or major upgrade (requirements gathering, data mapping, UAT, change management, and go-live support).
• Familiarity with syndicated data platforms such as IRI/Circana or NielsenIQ, and experience incorporating POS and panel data into statistical forecasts.
• Working knowledge of Python or R for forecast modeling, data cleansing, or automation of planning workflows.
• Experience with database environments (SQL Server, Snowflake, or similar) for ad hoc data pulls, planning data validation, and master data management.
• Prior experience mentoring or managing a small team of demand analysts.
• Exposure to IBP (Integrated Business Planning) frameworks beyond standard S&OP, including financial reconciliation and scenario planning.