Demand Planner

Company overview

The Warehouse Group is a well-known New Zealand retailer with a strong presence in local communities. It operates across The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, and Noel Leeming, making it the country’s largest general merchandise retailer. The business is shifting toward a more brand-led approach and is focused on creating a better customer experience through agility, teamwork, and putting the right people in the right roles.

This is an opportunity to join the demand planning function at a time of transformation, using modern machine learning tools to improve stock availability and customer service. The role suits someone who enjoys complex, fast-moving retail environments and can apply an FMCG-style mindset to planning in a retail setting.

Role purpose

The Demand Planner will work closely with Commercial, Buying, and Planning teams to make sure the right products are available in the right locations at the right time. The goal is to keep shelves filled, manage inventory efficiently, and support customer missions through strong forecasting and stock planning.

Key duties

• Help maintain high availability for continuity lines while balancing customer demand with efficient stock movement.
• Take ownership of unit-level demand forecasts and manage inventory exceptions through RELEX, including issues such as forecast variance and days of cover, to reduce overstocks and stock shortages.
• Work collaboratively across teams and lead promotional forecast discussions with Buyers, Planners, and Suppliers to improve stock flow and remove obstacles.
• Review clearance proposals each week and share recommendations with Commercial Planners to support strong commercial decisions.
• Track seasonal influences and adjust forecasts for longer-term trends, weather changes, and event-driven shifts, while keeping stakeholders informed of any exceptions.

What the company is looking for

The ideal candidate is commercially aware, attentive to detail, and comfortable working in a collaborative retail environment where priorities can change quickly. Curiosity, a continuous-improvement mindset, and the ability to combine data analysis with stakeholder management are important for success.

Required experience and capability

• Strong analytical ability with the skill to turn data into practical actions.
• Background in demand planning, inventory control, or replenishment, preferably in retail or FMCG.
• Good knowledge of ordering processes, stock flow, and supplier coordination.
• Confident use of Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Experience with RELEX is beneficial.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to influence across different teams.
• A customer-first approach with adaptability and openness to new ways of working.

Additional information

This is a permanent, full-time onsite role based in Auckland, New Zealand. The position sits within a collaborative, high-performing team and offers the chance to contribute to an important category in a business focused on delivering value to customers and communities. The wider company purpose is to make sustainable living easy and affordable for everyone.

Applicants should be comfortable working in a fast-paced retail setting and contributing to ongoing transformation in demand planning.