The Director of Demand Planning will lead the end-to-end forecasting and demand management function for a high-growth product portfolio. This role involves driving forecast accuracy, optimizing inventory, and fostering cross-functional alignment across Sales, Marketing, Product, and Finance.
Role Overview
We are seeking a strategic and data-driven Director of Demand Planning to lead forecasting and demand management across a complex and high-growth product portfolio. This role will own the end-to-end demand planning function, driving forecast accuracy, inventory optimization, and cross-functional alignment across Sales, Marketing, Product, Finance, and Supply Planning.
The ideal candidate has deep experience in high-SKU consumer goods (preferably beauty or fashion), thrives in fast-paced environments, and can translate data into clear, actionable insights to support business growth.
Key Responsibilities
Demand Planning Strategy & Leadership
Own the demand planning function across 5,000+ SKUs, including core assortment, seasonal launches, limited editions, and retail exclusives
Develop and execute scalable forecasting processes that support rapid SKU expansion and product lifecycle complexity
Lead the monthly S&OP process, ensuring alignment across cross-functional stakeholders
Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing demand planning team
Forecasting & Analytics
Generate and continuously improve SKU-level forecasts using statistical models and business inputs
Analyze historical trends, seasonality, promotional impact, and product lifecycle curves
Drive improvements in forecast accuracy (MAPE, bias) and establish KPI reporting dashboards
Leverage tools (e.g., ERP systems, forecasting software, Excel, BI tools, AI) to automate and enhance planning capabilities
Product Launch & Lifecycle Management
Partner with Product Development and Marketing to forecast new product launches and limited collections
Manage demand planning for product transitions, discontinuations, and cannibalization scenarios
Establish best practices for new SKU onboarding and forecast ramp curves
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with Sales and Retail teams to incorporate channel-level demand signals (e.g., promotions, distribution gains, retailer forecasts)
Partner closely with Supply Planning and Procurement to ensure supply alignment and inventory optimization
Work with Finance to align forecasts with revenue targets and financial planning
Inventory Optimization
Balance service levels with inventory efficiency across DTC, retail, and wholesale channels
Identify risks and opportunities (stockouts, excess inventory) and proactively recommend mitigation strategies
Support safety stock strategies and inventory segmentation
Systems & Process Improvement
Evaluate and implement demand planning tools and systems to support scale
Drive process standardization and documentation across the planning function
Champion data quality and governance across forecasting inputs
Qualifications
8–12+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain analytics
3–5+ years of leadership experience managing and developing teams
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