Demand Planning Manager

The Demand Planning Manager at Lume is responsible for owning the monthly demand planning process, creating accurate forecasts for our Retail channels, and collaborating with various teams such as Supply Chain, FP&A, and Commercial to ensure business optimization and growth. This role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to drive cross-functional consensus, making it a dynamic and impactful position.

To be successful as a Demand Planning Manager at Lume, candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree and have 4-8 years of experience in Demand Planning, Analytics, or Supply Chain. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and prior knowledge of demand planning and ERP software, especially Blue Yonder, is important. Additionally, experience working in direct-to-consumer businesses is highly preferred.

The Demand Planning Manager at Lume significantly contributes to our growth by developing accurate demand forecasts that inform production and inventory decisions, hence optimizing supply chain efficiency. By analyzing key drivers, managing processes across channels, and collaborating with various teams for new product launches, they ensure Lume is prepared to meet consumer demand effectively.

Essential skills for the Demand Planning Manager role at Lume include analytical thinking, exceptional attention to detail, collaborative abilities to work with multiple stakeholders, and the capability to drive projects independently. A strong understanding of data manipulation, forecasting best practices, and software tools will also support success in this position.

The work environment for a Demand Planning Manager at Lume is fast-paced and collaborative, where adaptive personalities thrive. Team members are encouraged to roll up their sleeves, tackle challenges, and work closely with different departments, including marketing, finance, and operations, creating a supportive culture that values insight and contributions from everyone.

In discussing your experience, focus on specific roles where you managed forecasts, collaborated with different teams, and led demand planning processes. Highlight how you used tools like Excel or any ERPs and the impact of your work on the company's sales and supply chain efficiency.

Share various strategies you have employed to improve forecast accuracy, such as analyzing historical sales data, collaborating with sales and marketing for insights, and using advanced forecasting software. Emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring and adjusting based on market trends.

Explain your approach to identifying the root cause of discrepancies, whether it's market changes, product issues, or data inaccuracies. Discuss how you communicate these findings with relevant teams and what actions you take to prevent future discrepancies.

Give details of a specific project where your leadership and analytical skills led to a significant improvement in demand planning. Discuss your objectives, the process, the cross-functional collaboration, and the outcome, presenting quantitative data where possible.

List the tools and software you have experience with, focusing on any demand planning or ERP systems like Blue Yonder. Discuss how these tools helped streamline processes and improve efficiencies in your previous roles.

Talk about techniques you use to prioritize tasks, such as understanding the urgency and business impact of various forecasts, keeping clear communication with stakeholders, and using project management tools to track progress.

Emphasize the importance of communication and relationships in cross-functional collaboration. Share tactics you've used to engage stakeholders from different departments, ensuring that their insights are integrated into the demand planning process.

Discuss your experience with scenario planning, particularly how you have developed scenarios to accommodate market fluctuations, new product launches, or changes in customer demand. Share examples of how you effectively communicated these scenarios to key stakeholders.

Explain how you facilitate regular meetings, maintain open lines of communication across teams, and provide clear documentation of the forecasting process through tools or dashboards to ensure alignment and transparency.

Share your passion for data analysis and how it directly contributes to business successes. Express your enthusiasm for being part of the supply chain and how the role allows you to make strategic decisions that significantly impact a company's growth.