Company Name
Pink Lily
Search Job Title
Senior Demand Planner
Client Profile
Pink Lily, a women's clothing retailer, operates primarily in the online e-commerce space with a few brick-and-mortar stores. The company is regarded as a boutique retailer within the fashion industry and boasts a revenue of around $140 million. Its headquarters are located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Role Objectives & Challenges
The position of Senior Demand Planner at Pink Lily came with several critical objectives and challenges. The primary responsibility of the role was to establish and grow the demand planning function from scratch. This function was crucial for forecasting sales and planning inventory needs across various sales channels. Additionally, the role required a shift from a tactical, Excel-based planning approach to a more strategic and systematic method. Another key objective was to enhance the overall efficiency of the supply chain by accurately predicting product demand and ensuring optimal inventory levels.
The search for a suitable candidate faced several challenges. There was a scarcity of qualified demand planners with specific industry experience in retail and wholesale, particularly those familiar with working with major retailers like Walmart. Furthermore, the location of Bowling Green, Kentucky presented geographical constraints that made it difficult to attract potential candidates. Lastly, the role required someone capable of handling a managerial level of responsibility without direct management duties, which demanded a high level of expertise and independence.
Our Approach to Solve the Search
To address these unique challenges, our search strategy was multifaceted. We focused on targeted recruitment by seeking candidates with backgrounds in retail and wholesale demand planning, ensuring they had relevant experience in sales and marketing. To overcome the geographical constraints, we concentrated on identifying local candidates, which would also ease the relocation process. Additionally, we emphasized finding individuals who possessed industry-specific skills and could handle high-level planning tasks while being familiar with the operational nuances of the fashion and retail industries.
The Hire & Results
The search concluded successfully within approximately 60 days. The selected candidate had a strong background as a planner in the retail space, with extensive experience in both sales and marketing. This expertise aligned perfectly with the job requirements. Additionally, the candidate's local residence simplified the hiring process, making the transition smoother for both the candidate and Pink Lily.
The results of this placement were substantial. The new Senior Demand Planner significantly improved the accuracy of sales forecasts, which led to better inventory management and a reduction in stockouts. The transition from an Excel-based approach to a more systematic planning process introduced greater efficiency and reliability to Pink Lily's supply chain operations. The establishment of a dedicated demand planning function marked a significant advancement for the company, contributing to enhanced decision-making and overall business performance.
