Planner (Route)

General Purpose

The Planner III position will be responsible for strategic and tactical plans within DSD Planning across multiple functions. These functions consist of Distribution Planning, Merchandising Planning, and Sales & Logistics Planning. This role will be responsible for creating and the strategic operational plans to support the strategy across each function, supporting their Market Unit and to provide leadership and guidance to Planner I and II. The Planner III will regularly communicate and interact with senior field leadership to ensure that the current direction of the MUGM is captured. Will proactively seek and share opportunities for improvement and innovation to achieve business growth and goals.  
Position will engage with supervisors through MUGM level personnel at all distribution centers across each Market Unit, and may potentially cover up to two Market Units. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Execute the core capabilities of all planning functions and deliver high performing results 
• Perform regular audits and strategic analysis of data integrity, planning session quality, and process compliance to support effective and efficient distribution planning. 
• Act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) on end-to-end Planning systems as well as our standardized planning processes. 
• Lead, implement, and successfully execute projects that transform and continuously improve all Planning functions. 
• Provide effective training for Planning team members, confirming the knowledge transfer has taken place and is being successfully executed. 
• Develop, communicate, and ensure successful execution of action plans which support our strategic partnership with Field Operations teams. 
• Actively participate in the development, implementation, validation and adherence to standard processes. 
• Expert on the end to end Planning systems to ensure data accuracy and optimal use of applications 

Distribution Planning: 

• Provide coverage for the Distribution Planning Center as necessary. 
• Support Distribution Planning Supervisor to build the Core Capabilities of their individual team members. 

Merchandising Planning: 

• Collaborate and communicate on strategic initiatives that support strategic plans with business partners, and enable profitable growth of merchandising through optimal utilization of labor. 
• Create, share, and act on critical business insights that will amplify results in Merchandising.  

Sales & Logistics Planning: 

• Create and maintain strategic plans that align strategic goals and operational needs, delivering business results 
• Partner with sales leadership to ensure that plans capture business needs.  
• Execute and sustain Sales and Logistics Planning standard processes 

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required 
• Bachelors degree preferred. 
• APICS certifications preferred 
• Minimum of 3-5 years planning responsibilities
• Must have strong analytical skills and have the ability to work with Mathematical concepts. 
• Must have knowledge of Microsoft office, Access, Excel, Power-point) advanced to proficient level of expertise, preferred. 
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Experience in working in a client service environment, preferred 
• Understanding of operational excellence principles, tools, and methodologies, preferred