Job Description
Job DescriptionDescription:
Company Overview:
Since 1951, Hickory Farms has connected people with savory flavors to share and send. Our specialty cured meats and cheeses are available for purchase online, in catalogs, in leading mass merchants and supermarkets, and in seasonal retail locations in the US and Canada.
Hickory Farms is a privately held company with nearly 75 years of delivering quality, well-loved food gifts and charcuterie essentials. Every member of our nimble, dynamic team makes an impact every day in a high-energy, results-driven culture.
Our Values lead the way. They are: The customer is our focus. Integrity and respect. We own it. Everyone has a place at the table. We embrace change. We savor the journey together. This is a hybrid role, on-site at Chicago, 2 days a week.
Requirements:
Position Overview:
The Manager of Merchandise Planning is responsible for managing the demand forecast for all channels of business. This role is responsible for maintaining the process for forecast management.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities - include but are not limited to the following:
- Maintain channel-level demand forecasts using historical data, market trends, and input from Sales and Channel leads.
- Lead a consistent forecast management process across all channels.
- Monitor and analyze forecast accuracy, identifying gaps and leading continuous improvement initiatives.
- Create and manage regular reporting and dashboards tracking KPIs such as sales, margin, sell-through, and promotional effectiveness, including synthesizing key takeaways for various stakeholders.
- Provide actionable recommendations for markdown cadence and sales optimization.
- Partner with Inventory, Production, Purchasing, and Product Development teams to ensure timely and accurate forecast communication and alignment.
- Work with Finance to ensure forecasts are in line with gross sales, product margin and financial planning goals.
- Foster strong relationships with Sales and Channel teams to support an integrated forecasting approach.
- Mentor and manage direct reports, providing coaching, feedback, and clear communication.
- Promote a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Cultural fit that embodies the company’s core values.
Other Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to gather, analyze, and interpret complex data to drive informed decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex analytics with recommendations to Senior Leadership to facilitate business decisions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and present findings to stakeholders.
- High degree of business acumen and intellectual curiosity, along with a desire to apply creative problem-solving.
- Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to work in a dynamic environment with changing priorities.
- Familiarity with sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes and methodologies.
- Attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
- Proactive mindset with a continuous improvement mindset to drive process enhancements.
Educational and/or Work Experience Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree.
- 4 to 6 years of experience in demand planning, sales forecasting, or a related role
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
- Must be able to complete the “essential job functions” with “reasonable accommodations” and meet all the mandatory qualifications under the ADA guidelines.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
- Must be able to perform essential physical activities such as lifting, climbing, standing, stooping, or typing.
- Must be able to talk, listen, and speak clearly on the telephone.
Pay Range: $90k - $100K
Benefits: Medical, Vision,401k, FSA, Commuter, Bonus eligibility
Hickory Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.