Description

The ideal candidate should be in the Twin Cities Metro area with the ability to work onsite as needed at the Bloomington Q-Central office. Remote work may be an option for candidates in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nevada, and outside the Twin Cities Metro area in Minnesota. Please note, relocation assistance is not provided.

Quality Bicycle Products (Q), a certified B-Corporation, is in the business of bikes! From creating a portfolio of our own award-winning brands to distributing the top names and best products in the industry, we’re working to further bike-kind. With distribution centers in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Colorado, and Taiwan, Q serves a network of more than 5,000 independent retailers and 450+ suppliers worldwide. We strive to be an extraordinary business for our partners and employees. Q has been a values-driven company since its inception in 1981 with making the world a better place at the center of those values. We believe that our actions as individuals and as a company make a difference and we work every day to improve the sustainability and health of our industry and our communities.

What you will be accountable for:

As the bike and frame Demand Planner, you are responsible for the overall forecast accuracy of our bike and frame inventory. You are expected to know what can impact your forecasts like market trends, the strategic direction a brand or category is moving, or future marketing promotions. You will be a key member of a team including Supply Chain, Sales, Product Development, and Data Analysis, who will collaboratively optimize margin, fill rate and turns. You will need to utilize creative thinking and cross-team collaboration to solve problems in a dynamic market.

Demand Planning (75%)

• Accountable for the creation, maintenance, and results of material level demand forecasts in demand planning software. Ensure accuracy of forecast reporting and adjust as new data or intel arises.

• Responsible for dynamic forecasting of demand trends. Set and maintain seasonal and regional/global demand curves for each item.

• Understand the factors that can affect bike and frame demand and make regular updates to forecasts based on actual demand.

• Interpret forecast results to find out why demand was above or below the forecast. Adjust future forecasts to reflect what you have learned from this analysis.

• Collaborate with multiple partners to understand shifts in demand:

• Product Development – assortment changes

• Sales – market changes, dealer feedback, pricing changes

• Supply Chain- changes in lead time and deliveries

• Marketing- details of product launch and promotion

• Communicate with cross functional teams regarding changes to forecast that will impact fill rate, turns or future inventory needs.

  Inventory Analysis (25%)

• Responsible for overall management of bike & frame inventory, including purchase order management, fill rate and turns.

• Maintain appropriate levels of bike and frame inventory to support sales while minimizing excess.

• Regular analysis of model/color/size inventory on hand to adjust future purchase orders for optimized fill rate and turns.

• Create and manage purchase orders based on the forecasts that you have created and manage them with Supply Chain and Taiwan Purchasing teams.

  *Other tasks and responsibilities as assigned

  Led by Bike & Frame Purchasing Manager and supported by the Purchasing Leadership Team, and Bike & Frame Data Analyst

  What you need to succeed:

• Required:

• 2+ Years wholesale or retail purchasing/forecasting experience

• MS Office Suite knowledge and experience with Excel

• Strong analytical skills; can translate data from multiple sources into insights and recommendations

• Demonstrated ability to connect effective strategies for success and tactics for execution

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, anticipate problems and develop creative and appropriate solutions to maintain performance goals

• Ability to balance optimism with a healthy dose of skepticism

• Ability to use language and tone effectively to be clear, effective and collaborative

• Ability to work effectively without direct supervision and within stated deadlines

• Ability to effectively manage priorities

• Ability to sit for extend periods of time

• A general understanding of bicycle technology and the bicycle market

• Preferred:

• 4-year bachelor’s degree and/or 5+ years’ experience in purchasing/forecasting

• Advanced Excel knowledge

• Demonstrated process improvement experience

• In depth knowledge of modern bicycle technology, the bicycle market, and what factors impact changes in demand

  Modeling QBP Core Values:

• Act with integrity

• Be a true partner

• Create something special

• Deliver greatness

• Keep the customer first

  Quality Bicycle Products is proud to be a certified B-Corp, committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek talent from all backgrounds to join our teams, and we encourage our employees to bring their authentic and best selves to work. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)