Lead - Demand Planner
Portland // Grade 6 // Reports to Head of Demand Planning, AMER
In Short:
As the Lead - Demand Planner, you will own the end-to-end demand planning process, driving the creation of accurate, aggregated, and consensus-driven volume and value forecasts to optimize inventory and ensure a solid Demand and Supply match. You will lead complex planning projects that directly impact our premium product availability and commercial objectives across all channels. Synthesizing diverse cross-functional inputs, you will navigate ambiguity, challenge conventional planning assumptions, and champion process innovations to enhance forecast accuracy and support On’s rapid, sustainable growth. Reporting to the Head of Demand Planning, AMER, you will support the successful commercial execution of our ambitious regional strategy.
Your Mission:
- Drive the entire demand planning lifecycle, generating precise, consolidated demand plans at multiple levels of aggregation for budgeting and monthly rolling forecasting processes
- Lead the analysis of historical sales, market trends, and internal demand drivers to develop and refine statistical forecast models, constantly evaluating and improving forecast results and accuracy
- Coordinate cross-functional stakeholder alignment, integrating input from Sales, Merchandising, and Finance to reconcile significant variances and establish a consensus demand plan
- Act as a planning partner to the Global Supply and Demand Planning teams, collaboratively developing inventory and replenishment strategies for existing items, new product launches, and product phase-outs
- Coordinate and clearly communicate customer action plans, inventory days, and liquidation strategies with Sales & Operations and Supply Planning teams to balance commercial speed with operational efficiency
- Identify underlying issues and root causes within the planning process, delivering autonomous solutions to complex problems and recommending process innovations that improve overall efficiency
- Build a diverse and effective network within On, proactively engaging peers and leaders from various backgrounds and functions to exchange knowledge and drive cross-functional project success
- Navigate the inherent ambiguity of rapid growth, prioritizing work autonomously without relying on predefined solutions and making wise, mindful decisions that push execution forward
Your Story:
- 6+ years of progressive experience in demand, inventory, replenishment, or supply planning for a multi-channel product company with rapid growth and operational scaling, preferably within the premium global sportswear or fashion industries
- Demonstrated experience in leading complex, end-to-end projects that required challenging prevailing planning assumptions and successfully integrating diverse, sometimes contradictory, input to solve complex business problems
- Proven expertise in demand planning processes, analytical, and data tools, including experience with systems like Anaplan and D365, with the ability to leverage these platforms to derive strategic, commercial insights from large data sets to drive forecast accuracy
- Solid understanding of inventory management practices, commercial objectives, and the critical need to balance brand integrity and operational efficiency when executing liquidation and replenishment strategies
- Proficiency in impactful communication, data visualisation, and storytelling skills, with a proven ability to tailor information for senior and diverse audiences to effectively facilitate cross-functional dialogue and critical decision-making
- Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities, demonstrated by a history of engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels and from diverse functional backgrounds to drive consensus on new and complex topics
About the Team:
The Regional Operations Team is the engine of On. We are the driving force behind operational excellence, meticulously ensuring the right product reaches our fans at the right time. Our team embodies a relentless commitment to productivity, efficiency, and quality, putting them at the core of everything we do. We leverage data-driven decision-making, adaptability, and a proactive mindset, consistently challenging the status quo to innovate how we work. Collaborating closely with internal and external stakeholders, we analyze and balance current supply and demand dynamics to support the business's global growth, delivering excellence in all that we do. We foster an environment where continuous learning and holistic well-being are championed, supporting each member to build their best self.