Director of Demand Planning Los Angeles HQ - HQ

About the RoleThe Director of Demand Planning leads the end-to-end demand planning function across all categories, with a foundational focus on core products. This role is responsible for building and leading a team of demand planners, owning the integrity of the demand forecast, and driving cross-functional alignment that connects planning to the commercial and financial goals of the business. The Director serves as the primary planning voice in OTB, merchandise financial planning, and channel strategy conversations — ensuring the forecast is actionable, accurate, and communicated with clarity across all stakeholder groups.As we continue to scale globally, our HQ teams play a critical role in shaping strategy, building world-class infrastructure, and driving sustainable growth across markets.Key ResponsibilitiesDemand Forecast OwnershipOwn the weekly demand forecast review process across all categories, leveraging the demand planning tool and aligned alert configurations to identify style/SKU-level risks and opportunitiesDrive forecast accuracy improvement by partnering closely with Data Science to incorporate business intelligence — including promotional events, inventory transfers, new product launches, and cannibalization risk — into the statistical modelEstablish and maintain a cadence of forecast review that is disciplined, scalable, and actionable for downstream planning teamsDefine and evolve the processes, configurations, and governance standards within the demand planning tool to ensure alignment across the planning organizationCross-Functional LeadershipServe as the primary demand planning partner to Merchandising, ensuring the core forecast reflects awareness of new launches, assortment changes, and category-level dynamics that could shift baseline demandPartner with Channel Planning leads across all categories to ensure the core forecast integrates cleanly with channel-level plans for sales and inventory, and that risks and opportunities are surfaced proactivelyBuild and maintain strong working relationships with Data Science, Merchandise Financial Planning, and Finance to ensure the forecast is both statistically sound and commercially groundedLead and facilitate alignment in cross-functional forums — bringing a clear point of view on trend, inventory health, and forecast deviation from planOTB & Financial PlanningLead the core product demand forecast within the Open-to-Buy (OTB) process — communicating trend versus pre-season plan, prior OTB, and inventory risk or opportunity with clarity and confidenceProactively identify situations where inventory needs exceed available OTB funding; develop aligned, solutions-oriented recommendations in partnership with Channel PlanningEnsure final PO sign-off meetings are well-prepared, with all relevant stakeholders informed and risks clearly articulated prior to commitmentPartner with Merchandise Financial Planning to ensure the demand forecast is reflected accurately in financial plans and that deviations are explained and resolved in a timely mannerCollaborate closely with Data Analytics to ensure the forecast reflects the full context of business nuances — including promotional performance, channel mix shifts, customer behavior trends, and external market signals — translating analytical insights into meaningful forecast inputs that drive accuracyTeam Leadership & DevelopmentBuild, lead, and develop a high-performing team of demand planners across core categoriesDefine clear roles, responsibilities, and RACI ownership across the planning team — including accountability for core products, impact of new launch products, and channel-level plansCoach planners on both technical skills (tool proficiency, statistical thinking, OTB management) and soft skills (cross-functional communication, stakeholder influence, business acumen)Foster a culture of proactive risk identification, continuous improvement, and accountabilityProcess & SystemsPartner with Data Science and IT/Systems teams to continuously improve the demand planning tool — including model inputs, alert logic, and reporting capabilitiesDefine KPIs for forecast accuracy, bias, and planning effectiveness; establish regular reporting cadences to track performance and drive improvementLead the evolution of demand planning processes as the business scales across categories and channelsSkills, Knowledge and ExpertiseExperience8–12+ years of progressive experience in demand planning, merchandise planning, or supply chain — with at least 3–4 years in a leadership or managerial roleExperience at a high-growth consumer brand, apparel, or retail company strongly preferredProven track record managing complex, multi-category forecasts in a fast-paced, trend-driven environmentHands-on experience with demand planning tools (e.g., o9, Blue Yonder, Anaplan, Relex, or similar); ability to configure, interpret, and evolve tool outputsExperience leading cross-functional planning processes including OTB, merchandise financial planning, and PO managementSkills & CompetenciesStrong analytical and quantitative skills — comfortable working with large datasets, statistical forecasts, and financial plans simultaneouslyExceptional cross-functional communication and influencing skills; able to distill complex forecast dynamics into clear business narratives for senior stakeholdersSolutions-oriented mindset — able to identify risk early, pressure-test assumptions, and drive to aligned decisions even in ambiguous situationsHigh business acumen with an understanding of how demand planning connects to inventory investment, margin, and sell-throughOrganized and process-driven, with the ability to manage multiple planning cycles, stakeholder groups, and priorities concurrentlyPeople leader with a genuine passion for developing talent and building team capabilityBenefits, Culture and PerksBenefits and CultureUp to 100% Company Paid Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)Kind Body Fertility Benefits401(k) savings plan with up to 4% matchUnlimited PTOFull Access to LinkedIn learningEmployee DiscountsPerks (HQ Location)Free weekly catered lunch at HQ – M/T/W/ThDog-Friendly office on a Thursday and FridayFree Swag GiveawaysAnnual Holiday PartyAnnual Summer PartyInvitations to pop-ups and other company eventsComplimentary daily office snacks and beveragesJ-18808-Ljbffr