Demand Planner

**Who are we?**
- UNFI is the leading distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods in North America We transform the world of food for our associates, customers, suppliers, and the families we serve every day. We are committed to providing healthier food choices to people everywhere as part of our ongoing mission to #FeedthePlanet._
- As a Demand Planner, you’ll play an essential role in helping our Purchasing team with future product demands and offering tailored solutions to our customers. At the same time, you’ll get to help us navigate the Foodscape through inventory management, forecasting, and so much more_
- Read on about our job opportunity below_

**Position**: Demand Planner

**Location and Working Conditions**: Vaughan, ON (due to COVID-19, this position is work from home until further notice)

**Job Type**: Full Time Permanent

**Schedule**: Monday-Friday

**Language Requirements**: English

**Purpose**:
The Demand Planner assists in the development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of Demand Planning processes. Maintains standard operating procedures related to Demand Planning functions. Works directly with the Purchasing department to optimize fill rate, shrink, and inventory management. Participates in the optimization of Retalix Demand Planning system modules.

Participates in the training and onboarding of buyers to optimize utilization of the demand planning system. Works closely with vendor partners to provide inventory planning tools to support inbound fill rate. Collaborates with the Sales department and major retail customers to ensure consistent forecasts are provided and all supporting resources available are leveraged to improve outbound fill rate.

**Responsibilities**:

- Possess thorough knowledge and understanding of Retalix Demand Planning system modules
- Participate in task force assigned to the Forecasts Canada inbox to ensure availability of product for our customers, and vendor forecasting to ensure availability of product for UNFI
- Responsible for developing and updated the Retailix seasonal profiles of the entire UNFI sku assortment.
- Develop and administer forecasting methodology while ensuring other business units are adhering to their requirements.
- Collaborate with Customer/Vendor Demand Planners to resolve demand planning issues and lead change policies, strategies, and tactics to achieve maximum efficiency for customers/vendors and UNFI
- Participate in Vendor Embedded Program initiatives at major retailers (Ex. Loblaws) to reach service level targets and minimize fill rate fines applied against UNFI
- Makes continuous improvement and optimization of Retalix Demand Planning system
- Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders including Procurement leadership to drive results
- Address escalations with customers through research, analytics, and solutions
- Support, implement and train on business strategic initiatives including standard operating procedures
- Develop, streamline and implement processes and procedures to meet evolving business needs in collaboration with all cross-functional business stakeholders
- Review and analyze planned demand results and update department knowledge on promotional lifts
- Performs other job duties as required

**Job Qualifications**:
**Education/Certifications**:

- Bachelor’s degree in Business, a related field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

**Experience**:

- Two (2) - three (3) years of experience that is directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
- Experience working with multiple departments and customer-facing interactions
- Experience defining and refining processes to optimize performance.

**Knowledge**:

- Knowledge of analytical concepts specific to Demand Planning and Supply Chain
- Strong Microsoft Office Suite Skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Experience within ERPs and automated purchasing systems
- Analytical and big data modelling diagnostics

**Skills & Abilities**:

- Ability to investigate and analyze information and to draw conclusions
- Strong mathematic skill set
- Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects
- Ability to use independent judgment and to manage and impart confidential information
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
- Conflict resolution, negotiation, and/or mediation skills
- Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw meaningful business conclusions
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make appropriate decisions
- Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects in accordance with deadlines
- Ability to develop and deliver presentations
- Flexible and adaptable to learning and understanding new technologies

**Why work for us?**:

- Competitive salary offered
- Health & Dental Benefits package available on your 1st