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Demand Planner
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Round Rock, TX, United States
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Overall Responsibility:
A Demand Planner implements a methodical forecasting approach to help ensure product availability and minimize inventory exposure. Demand Planners develop and implement a proactive demand forecasting model and drive a structured approach in gathering data and formulating product forecasts. The Demand Planner will work closely with Divisional Sales and Marketing to develop a rolling 12 to 18-month demand forecast at the SKU level. A Demand Planner uses the SAP APO forecasting system and proven techniques to enhance forecast accuracy and support the current supply chain initiatives.
Primary Accountabilities:
• Assume responsibility for forecast based on input from divisional stakeholders (Sales, Marketing, Editorial, and Finance), adoption schedule, revenue potential and historical usage/trends
• Understand various statistical models available and determine most appropriate model to use at an item level
• Identify historical outliers as they occur and add appropriate commentary/note to APO to document pertinent information
• Continually monitor and update forecasts based on actual usage, trends, wins/losses, new product introductions, and revised sales plans
• Review dashboards and weekly reports to gather information and create action plans for updating forecasts
• Maintain constant and proactive communication with Supply Planning counterparts of material forecast changes, in order to minimize business risks, via email alerts
• Participate in weekly meeting with DP/SP team to advise of problems and significant variances between existing forecasts /actual usage and review any open alert items
• Maintain a weekly ad hoc list of titles to pass from APO to Supply Planning when a full pass is not on the schedule
• Use current tools and reports that measure forecast accuracy and errors to understand root causes and then apply techniques to improve the forecasts
• Provide forecast analytics for area of responsibility to Planning Manager for use in the monthly Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings
• Actively participate in monthly Pipeline and Planning meetings
• Update ABC codes as needed to ensure inclusion in APO
• Interface directly with Project Managers, Inventory Management and Supply Planners
• Work with cross-site / cross-functional teams to establish and communicate best practices
Key Outputs:
• An accurate and complete forecast contains the following key elements:
◦ Item Code
◦ Quantity by Month for New Business, Stat and Outliers
◦ Demand Stream - Sales or Gratis
• KEY DEMAND PLANNING INPUTS TO SUPPLY PLANNING:
◦ Forecast for both revenue (sales) and gratis items passed to ECC6
◦ Notification of material changes to the forecast
◦ Notification of market intelligence that may impact the forecast
Skills & Competencies:
• Become proficient with F2F processes and understand HMH Global Supply Chain procedures to become a key contributor to the supply chain functions
• Demonstrate proficiencies with statistical modeling and APO forecasting methods and use them effectively to create the demand plan forecast for ABC titles
• Maintain a full knowledge of the assigned HMH product lines
• Demonstrate high analytical capabilities
• Produce new and residual sales, gratis, and outlier demand forecasts for assigned titles in APO DP to feed ECC6 MRP in a timely manner
• Proactively analyze forecast accuracy against usage and market intelligence, making and communicating adjustments as needed
• Research forecast questions and provides solutions to issues as they arise
• Building Strategic Working Relationships
◦ Establish and maintain contacts with Sales and Product Management teams to acquire forecast information in "Team of Peers" and "Pipeline and Planning" meetings
◦ Actively support and work well in a team environment
◦ Self-starter proactive in seeking guidance on an issue and willing to contribute wherever and whenever asked
• Communication
◦ Provide reports and forecast input for meetings as required
◦ Lead discussion on topics relating to assigned titles in weekly Demand / Supply meetings
◦ Keep all communication platforms strictly professional
◦ Communicate openly and professionally with coworkers
◦ Demonstrate understanding that good communication also means being a good listener and show that other’s viewpoints have value.
• Develop and provide strategic leadership competencies: Leading through Vision and Values / Strategic Leadership / Decision Making / Drive for Results
Education & Experience:
• HS Diploma/GED equivalent required; Bachelor’s Degree (Business, Finance, Supply Chain Planning) preferred
• 2-3 years’ experience in planning
• Possess an expert level command of Microsoft Excel
• Proven problem solving skills, and demonstrated ability to tackle roadblocks of varying complexity head on
• Able to work independently; calculate forecasts, proactively resolve issues and form meaningful connections with forecast intelligence
• SAP ECC6 (Master Data, MRP, BW) knowledge and experience is desired
Physical Requirements:
• Might be in a stationary position for a considerable time (sitting and/or standing)
• The person in this position needs to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer
• Must be able to collaborate with colleagues via face to face, conference calls, and online meetings
ABOUT US:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ:HMHC) is a global learning company dedicated to changing people’s lives by fostering passionate, curious learners. As a leading provider of pre-K–12 education content, services, and cutting-edge technology solutions across a variety of media, HMH enables learning in a changing landscape. HMH is uniquely positioned to create engaging and effective educational content and experiences from early childhood to beyond the classroom. HMH serves more than 50 million students in over 150 countries worldwide, while its award-winning children's books, novels, non-fiction, and reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout the world.
PLEASE NOTE:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is an equal employment opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, or other protected group status.