Articles

Forecaster/Planner (Published 05/17/2013)

Date:                           May 14, 2013

Position Title:             Forecaster/Planner

Department:               Operations

Reports to:                  Supply Chain Operations Manager

Classification:             Exempt

General Purpose:

The primary focus of this position is to effectively execute the creation of a product level forecast and assist in the operations of production scheduling, capacity planning, production release, in-process execution and inventory management.

The Forecast Planner is also responsible for leading areas of the planning processes, assisting vendors on capacity and priority control, and providing communication to the various Pearl Izumi departments, most importantly, by leading weekly consensus building meetings regarding the master schedules with the executive team.

Education and Training:

• B.A./B.S. degree required
• APICS Certification preferred

Experience Minimum:

• 3 Years in Production Planning or Master Scheduling required
• 5 Years Supply Chain experience required

Job Qualifications:

• Existing domain skills and experience with operations planning, master planning, and vendor management related to managing production planning.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills; including ability to think and plan strategically related to supply chain execution.
• Attention to detail, ability to manage multiple sources of data and prioritize issues towards a singular goal.
• Ability to manage multiple sales channels, product seasons, and conflicting objectives (service vs. inventory management).
• Provide concise and regular updates to other company departments.
• Proficiency in manufacturing software applications such as Master Planning & MRP, as well as office automation tools such as Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Proven experience and understanding of factory production techniques, operations, and processes, including tracking purchase orders, balancing factories, and general delivery requirements.
• Proactive thinking, initiative and composure in a fast paced environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication; Strong organizational skills

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Forecasting & Planning:

• Create and maintain a product level forecast for Spring and Fall seasons.
• Responsible for managing company master production schedules for all divisions and achieving general production planning calendar timelines.
• Adjusts the conflicting balance of Pearl Izumi’s customer service vs. inventory levels – 2 of our company’s major objectives; service levels set at an industry leading 94% while maintaining a lean inventory within company guidelines
• Constantly administers the four levers of operational excellence – Priority Planning, Capacity Planning, Priority Control and Capacity Control, including frequent direct negotiation with vendors
• Solely responsible for the planning production timing for vendors, managing multiple factories located internationally and domestically
• Accountable for $25+ million in planning and purchasing each season with less than 25% excess production
• Key role in the organizing the planning phases of the clearly defined Sales and Ops process, including master plan meetings with executive team members where a consensus must be reached with the key departments toward common & conflicting objectives
• Organize the individual forecasts of distributors into a divisional level forecast useable by our operations system
• Balance requirements of various departments from a product visibility and delivery viewpoint; includes planning updates, availability reports, stock on hand reporting, PMI support, sales program support, and special projects as necessary for US and Intl divisions
• May coordinate activities of others throughout the company to ensure balance of inventory and delivery
• Provide input to various fiscal reports; including costing, revenue expectations, cash flow requirements, etc.
• Frequently adjust and manage the optimal size percentage curves for all active skus

Purchasing Coordination:

• Maintain the critical balance of capacity & requirements planning and prioritization.
• Manage the accumulation, response and negotiation regarding leadtimes, order minimums and shipment minimums with all vendors each season
• Create buy plan releases as dictated by lead-times and master plans
• Manage and resolve challenges that are faced at the vendor level, including PO delays, development delays, materials delivery issues, etc.  to create win-win solutions.  May include negotiation of additional costs related to above.
• In collaboration with the sales teams, work to track and expedite outstanding purchase orders to ensure continual product availability.
• Communicate seasonal forecasts & bi-weekly updates to vendor forecast.
• All other tasks as related to support of the teams global supply chain execution

Note:  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with this position.

Apply throught the Career sit at www.pearlizumi.com