Address
SalaryWork Mode: Remote
Location: Remote at Kohler, WI
Opportunity
Deploy a world-class S&OP Demand Planning & Management process and tools. Driving SKU level forecast accuracy for top SKUs 90% for 30 days and 70% for 90 days.
Responsible for leading the monthly Demand Planning process for the Retail and eCommerce channels in Kitchen & Bath Americas through a disciplined and well communicated approach. This position manages the short and long-term Demand Planning supporting annual sales in excess of $1.5B+ and has full accountability for managing forecast accuracy and bias through all product lines.
Specific Responsibilities
- Maintains high level alignment with the Channel and Marketing teams on sales plans, linking to the statistical forecast. Incorporates customer collaboration and event management in monthly forecasting process and provides a clear bridge between historical and future demand patterns.
- Participates as Supply Chain team member in monthly business team meetings. Provides trend data by product category, channel and select SKU’s. Partners with key functional leaders across the company (manufacturing, sales, marketing, finance, supply chain, etc.) to ensure sales performance goals are met.
- Looking for a self-starter that is capable of driving results, strategic improvement, and building an excellent team that will be a “destination job” for the business. Building trust and relationships across Kitchen and Bath is essential to success. Ability to navigate Demand Planning systems (SAP: APO/IBP), a basic balance sheet, PowerBI reporting, and ability to gut check and validate data is expected.
- Manage the Demand Planning team & process, supporting the cycle of demand plan generation, providing governance, accountability, and strategic direction
Responsibility for Retail and eCommerce channels within KBNA
- Weekly run rate management (hold channel team accountable to consensus forecast, looking for any opportunities to close forecast gaps real time)
- Weekly support S&OE discussions with supply planning (reporting on run rate, and linking any supply updates to demand as applicable, e.g. supply shortage and impact on demand or allocation)
- Monthly drive the next 24-month demand plan generation, leading into supply planning. Including Statistical Forecast generation by Demand Planning team, consensus alignment with channel sales teams, promotional updates from channel marketing, life cycle updates from category strategy/product marketing team, and ultimately a dollar demand plan for the next 18 months in alignment with channel team, utilizing accounting partners.
- Quarterly check on long term unit assumptions and update accordingly to support business planning and expansion plans
- Annually drive the Financial Plan demand plan assumptions through a consensus plan with channel teams & accounting partners
Demand Management reviews
- Coordinates mid-month demand review: Ensures all input owners provide quality information for the consensus unit plan (24 month rolling), gaps have been identified between Opcom and S&OP, assignments are given to close the gap and strategic plans are aligned for new products launches.
- Coordinates S&O Day 2 Dollarization: Ensures all input owners provide quality information to provide consensus for the Opcom agreements
Collaborative Planning, Forecasting & Replenishment Process
- Directs the supply chain alignment team on improvements over the CPFR process. Has governance over this process.
- Ensures that the demand plan is aligned to Customer POS, Inventory, promotional strategy to avoid bullwhip effect downstream.
- Job Quotes and Impact Orders Process
- Directs the sales operations team on improvements over the Job Quotes and Impact Orders process. Has governance over this process.
- Ensures that all significant orders with a high probability of occurring are captured in the demand plan.
Coordinating NPD/Discontinuation
- Coordinates that phase in products are included in the forecast, while ensuring the phase out of discontinued SKU’s in the demand plan.
- Develop Robust Demand Plans
- Deliver a robust forecast by achieving a high level of forecast accuracy and a low Bias. Works with Sales, Marketing, and the Business team to create a realistic demand plan through data driven conversations
- Drive consistency across all business teams regarding forecasting best-practices. Ensure consistent application of key forecasting inputs including historical forecast error, forecast bias, Point of Sale (POS), promotional calendars, historical orders performance, and inventory positions (Kohler & Customer).
- Manage forecasting metrics at the aggregate and SKU level for all business teams. Educate key stakeholders on the value and importance of performance and leverage historical performance and bias to drive future forecasts.
- Identify the root cause of historical forecast error and apply key learnings to future forecasts to improve overall inventory health (reduction in shortages and excess inventory).
Skills/Requirements
- Position requires a B.S. degree in business administration, engineering, supply chain, mathematics or a related field and 5-10 years of related experience. Knowledge and experience with lean manufacturing and project management techniques highly valued.
- Strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills, able to take action in solving problems while exhibiting judgment and a systematic approach to decision-making, picks up knowledge quickly, energizing, highly reliable and positive attitude, team player, flexible and adaptive.
- Must be capable of, and experience in, working with different functional areas (operations, purchasing, logistics, finance, engineering, sales and customer service) and companies throughout the supply chain (customers, vendors, 3PLs, Joint Ventures and outsourcing suppliers).
- Exceptional Excel, SAP and analytical skills are required. Must be capable of defining, analyzing and resolving complicated problems.
- Experience using SAP, APO SNP and DP highly desirable
- Azure ecosystems and python knowledge is highly desirable
- Product & industry knowledge advantageous
- Ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
- Travel expectations range from 10-15%
#LI-Remote
#LI-SM1
Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without requiring sponsorship now or in the future.
The salary range for this position is $94,400 - $119,950. The specific salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors including the candidate’s experience, their education, and the work location. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision & 401k.
Why Work at Kohler Co.?
Kohler Co.'s mission is to contribute to a higher level of gracious living for those who are touched by our products and services. We understand that it takes investment in our associates’ development to make that happen. So, we offer ongoing investment in each individual’s personal development and the opportunity to collaborate with others across functions and roles at Kohler.
In addition to the investment in your development, Kohler offers a benefits package including a competitive salary, health, vision, dental, 401(k) with company matching, and more!
- Important update for candidates applying to roles within Kohler Energy, including Power Systems, Engines, Home Energy, Kohler Uninterruptible Power, Clarke Energy, Curtis Instruments, and Heila Technologies.
About Us
Beyond the competitive benefits and compensation, Kohler proudly offers a rich history, steeped in creativity and a commitment to our associates and communities. We invite you to learn more about our culture and company at www.kohlercompany.com.
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified personnel in all job classifications without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com. Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
