Director of Demand Planning

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Take charge of the demand planning function for over 5,000 SKUs, encompassing core assortments, seasonal launches, limited editions, and retail exclusives.

• Create and implement scalable forecasting processes to support rapid SKU expansion and manage product lifecycle complexity.

• Spearhead the monthly S&OP process while ensuring alignment among cross-functional stakeholders.

• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performance demand planning team.

• Generate and refine SKU-level forecasts utilizing statistical models alongside business inputs.

• Examine historical trends, seasonality, promotional impacts, and product lifecycle curves.

• Enhance forecast accuracy through MAPE and bias metrics, and set up KPI dashboards.

• Utilize ERP systems, forecasting software, Excel, BI tools, and AI to automate and optimize planning processes.

• Collaborate with Product Development and Marketing on the launch of new products and limited collections.

• Oversee demand planning for product transitions, discontinuations, and cannibalization scenarios.

• Establish best practices for onboarding new SKUs and developing forecast ramp curves.

• Partner with Sales and Retail teams to interpret channel-level demand signals.

• Collaborate with Supply Planning and Procurement to ensure supply alignment and optimize inventory.

• Work alongside Finance to synchronize forecasts with revenue targets and financial planning.

• Balance service levels with inventory efficiency across DTC, retail, and wholesale channels.

• Identify risks related to stockouts and excess inventory, and propose mitigation strategies.

• Support safety stock strategies and inventory segmentation initiatives.

• Assess and implement demand planning tools and systems.

• Standardize and document planning processes for consistency.

• Advocate for data quality and governance across all forecasting inputs.

⛳️ Requirements

• 8–12+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain analytics.

• 3–5+ years of leadership experience in managing and developing teams.

• Experience in high-SKU consumer goods sectors, particularly in beauty, apparel, or CPG is strongly preferred.

• Proven success in managing complex product portfolios, ideally with 1,000+ SKUs; 5,000+ is preferred.

• Strong analytical capabilities with proficiency in Excel and experience with ERP/forecasting tools (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Anaplan, ToolsGroup, etc.).

• Experience leading S&OP / IBP processes.

• Outstanding communication and stakeholder management skills across cross-functional teams.

• Ability to excel in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial setting.

• Experience in the beauty, cosmetics, or personal care industries.

• Familiarity with DTC and retail omni-channel demand planning.

• Experience managing seasonal and trend-driven product portfolios.

• Background in scaling planning processes within high-growth companies.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive compensation package.

• Comprehensive benefits.

• Opportunities for professional growth.

• Significant ownership and visibility at the leadership level.

• A collaborative, entrepreneurial culture that emphasizes innovation and customer experience.