Demand Planning Analyst

Koala’s mission is to provide better furniture by Australia, for the world. Combining customer-centric products, a world-class technology and fulfillment platform, incredible customer service and social good, we are changing the way people buy and enjoy furniture.

Due to continued growth, Koala is in need of an experienced Demand Planning Analyst to support the Planning function. The role will primarily provide insight and rigour to the Demand Forecast whilst also providing an additional layer of insights across both the Supply and Demand functions and ad hoc support to the Senior Supply Planner. The role will capture peaks and troughs in the forecast around sale performance, promotional activity and seasonality to support Supply Planning. The role will help to enhance the quality and reliability of the operational plan through insights gained from internal alignment with business stakeholders.
- Closely collaborate with Sales & Marketing, leading weekly reviews of the Demand Forecast to develop and embed strong forecasting methodologies
- Provide product and customer insights to enrich the Demand Forecast models
- Create and maintain reports that provide the Sales & Marketing team with clear visibility of variances and changes, whilst providing accurate splits at a state level to drive the right level of stock availability by location
- Communicate to Senior Supply Planner any weekly Demand Forecast changes to ensure adequate replenishment at a SKU level and maintenance of optimal inventory levels based on agreed service levels
- Communicate with Sales & Marketing, Finance & Fulfilment to ensure impacts of changes to the Demand Forecast are understood and suggest possible mitigation strategies
- Self-direct and lead process improvement projects to understand where the business has opportunity to improve and drive efficiencies that will ultimately strengthen our forecast accuracy across our two markets (Australia and Japan), support customer delivery promises and optimise supply chain costs
- Implement a robust long range planning process with demand forecasts out to 18+ months
- Support the Product & Marketing teams across any innovation initiatives including ensuring the business has effective inventory planning strategies to bring new products to market
- Own reporting of KPIs to the business, including, but not limited to:

- Demand Forecast Accuracy / Bias
- Stock availability
- Overstocks/Slow moving products
- DOH
- Management and reporting of product exits including estimating associated shifts in related products or lines in the Demand Forecast
- Data governance of the master planning files including SKU attributes, SOH, Demand Forecast inputs, purchase orders and transfer orders
- Support Senior Supply Planner and Supply Planning function on an ad hoc basis

**Requirements**:
Ideal background
- 5-8 years experience within Demand/Merchandise Planning
- Retail experience, preferably with exposure to DTC e-commerce
- A strong analytical background and a data driven mindset
- Highly communicative style of engaging with stakeholders, with a proven ability to engage and develop relationships
- A natural curiosity and ability to not only spot opportunities for improvement but to execute against these opportunities
- The ability to adapt quickly in the face of changing systems and process
- Significant experience with MS Excel
- Knowledge of end-to-end supply chain processes favourable
- Capacity to thrive in a fast-paced, challenging, and uncertain environment

**Benefits**

Treehouse Perks and Privileges

Koala is only great when its employees are happy — and we’re one happy mob

Flexible working - The freedom and autonomy to do your best work the way that works for you.

Take a break - Generous time off and parental leave to help keep your work life balance, balanced.

Fully stocked kitchen - With an emphasis on healthy, local and organic produce.

Pet-friendly - The Koala Treehouses are as pet-friendly as they get

Surprise & delight - The two-word combo at the core of everything we do. All Koalas can expect to enjoy free Koala products with ‘mates rates’ for your friends and fam.

Support & wellbeing - Our employee experience respects and embraces all families, formed, found and evolving. You’ll have access to our Employee Assistance Program, which includes unlimited sessions for financial, work, relationship, family or wellbeing support.

Accelerate your career - We’ve partnered with RMIT where all of our Koala’s receive a discount, unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning and Koala facilitated resources.

Community & connection - We believe that simply doing ‘no harm’ isn’t good enough So, how are we doing our part? BCorp Certified, WWF Partnership, volunteer days, a member of SoftLanding and so much more.

All in all, the Koala Kommunity is a great place to hang out and belong to

Koalities we look for

At Koala, we do things a little differently and we don’t shy away from