Demand Planner

This is an exciting position as a Demand Planner for a beloved brand known as one of the footwear industry’s most respected brands. As a Demand Planner, you will report to the Senior Director of Operations and serve as an integral part of a vital team within the organization. In this role, you will:

• Create and execute a demand plan utilizing best-practice forecasting techniques
• Develop a recommended buy plan based on the demand plan, current inventory flow, and order requirements
• Provide insight through reporting and analysis of K‑Swiss business

Founded in California in 1966, we are proud of our legacy as being the innovators of the first leather tennis shoe – the K‑Swiss Classic. More than 50 years later, K‑Swiss’ modern brand mission is to outfit and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. These young leaders are at the forefront of today's culture, influencing and inspiring young people around the world.

Our culture is rooted in the principles of INNOVATION, CREATIVITY, INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, PASSION, PERFORMANCE and FAIRNESS.

We empower our team members to embrace their creativity, knowledge, skills and to push forward and deliver excellent results. By joining our family, you will be immersed in an environment of incredibly supportive and collaborative people. We work hard across a multitude of initiatives to bring the passion of K‑Swiss to life.

• Develop pre-season SKU‑level operational forecasts during product line reviews, incorporating category revenue and profitability targets, buying windows, and factory lead time constraints.
• Build in‑season statistical demand forecasts at the style‑color level using bookings, sell‑through data, market conditions, marketing inputs, and key account trends.
• Own the Days of Supply analysis, monitoring inventory health weekly and flagging velocity outliers, stock imbalances, and replenishment risk across the on‑hand position.
• Recommend buy plans aligned to in‑season demand forecasts, safety stock requirements, and category‑level qualitative inputs.
• Track forecast accuracy (MAPE/bias) and use post‑season actuals to close the loop between pre‑season forecasts and final buys.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Sales, Merchandising, Product, and Operations to surface planning insights, recommend product line adjustments, and keep the buy calendar on track.
• Maintain visibility into the inbound pipeline, coordinating ex‑factory dates with production, identifying late PO risk, and escalating timeline conflicts before they become receipt delays.

• Strong command of statistical forecasting methods and SKU‑level planning in a footwear or apparel environment.
• Ability to build and maintain planning models in Excel, including DOS analysis, forecast variance tracking, and buy plan scenarios.
• Comfortable working across structured ERP data (SAP preferred) and translating it into actionable planning recommendations.
• Proven ability to manage competing deadlines across multiple buy cycles simultaneously.
• Communicates clearly and directly across functions, can hold a room with Sales and push back on a forecast with data.
• Operates with a bias toward process discipline: cadence, documentation, and accountability.

• 2–5 years of experience in demand planning, inventory planning, or supply chain, footwear or apparel strongly preferred.
• Hands‑on experience with end‑to‑end planning cycles: pre‑season forecast, buy plan, in‑season management, and post‑season review.
• Proficiency in Excel and SAP (required); experience with SAP demand planning or order management modules preferred.
• Self‑starter who can operate in an environment where processes are still being built, not just maintained.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to cross‑functional leadership.
• Organized, deadline‑driven, and able to flag risk early rather than late.

• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Walking, standing for brief periods of time
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard
• Prolonged visual acuity necessary to view video display terminal, VDT
• Office

K‑Swiss Global Brands provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.