Demand & Inventory Planning Manager

Overview

We are seeking a Demand & Inventory Planning Manager to lead and own the integrated demand forecast and inventory strategy for a luxury retail business located in Dublin City Centre. This role requires managing accurate demand forecasting, fostering collaboration across multiple departments, and ensuring alignment with commercial and financial goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end demand planning and inventory management processes across the organisation.
• Develop and refine rolling demand forecasts using statistical methods, advanced analytics, and AI/ML forecasting tools.
• Lead the Demand Review process within the larger Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) framework.
• Ensure demand plans meet budget requirements and align with long-term strategic business objectives.
• Design and improve inventory strategies, including setting target stock levels and safety stock balances to optimize customer service and working capital.
• Assess inventory metrics to identify opportunities for structural improvements and ongoing optimisation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to maintain alignment between demand and supply plans.
• Communicate planning assumptions, potential risks, and opportunities to senior leadership to aid critical business decisions.
• Lead, mentor, and cultivate a team of Demand and Inventory Planning professionals, promoting a high-performance environment.
• Drive enhancements in planning capabilities through new tools, key performance indicators, process improvements, and best practices.
• Encourage innovation and challenge existing practices to boost efficiency and business value.

Required Background and Skills

• A degree in Engineering, Economics, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
• Extensive experience in Supply Chain Planning, with strong expertise in Demand Planning and Inventory Management.
• Proven track record in leading and developing successful teams.
• Comprehensive knowledge of forecasting techniques, demand planning methodologies, and inventory optimisation.
• Strong analytical capabilities including statistical analysis, scenario planning, and data-driven decision making.
• Commercially savvy with experience in aligning planning processes to budgets, financial targets, and working capital goals.
• Strong skills in project management and change management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across all organizational levels.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in Italian is a plus but not required.

Additional Details

This position is based onsite in Dublin City Centre. The role emphasizes strong collaboration with various departments including Sales, Marketing, Supply Planning, Merchandising, Finance, and Distribution to enable robust and agile business planning.