Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Leads the new product launch planning process from beginning to end. Collaborates with cross-functional teams which includes, Product Marketing, Account Leads, Planners, the Head of Account & Sales Planning, Finance, and Demand Planning to coordinate product launches and ensure alignment with company goals and objectives, bringing new products from conception to market launch. Analytical thinker who provides analysis and insight to guide decision-makers on launch - continuous and limited life (e.g., launches, sets/holiday, and exclusives).

Oversee inventory levels across our distribution centers and weeks of supply at trade to ensure optimal stock levels while minimizing excess inventory and stockouts.

Leads analysis on discontinuation SKUs, working closely with the planners on tracking weeks of supply, OH inventory, and updating demand every month. Presents results on a bi-weekly basis to senior leadership facilitating decision-making and actioning follow-ups with the teams involved

Key Roles and Responsibilities

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

New Launch Plan - All channels

• Leads full proposal of bottoms-up launch plan and scenarios for launch (launch, sets/holiday, and exclusives), accurately planning growth and drawing on analysis of previous performance. Guides Account Leads and Account Planners on forecasting; regularly meets with Product Marketing to discuss and align multi-channel strategy.
• Oversee inventory levels across multiple warehouses and distribution centers to ensure optimal stock levels while minimizing excess inventory and stockouts. Partners closely with Supply Chain and Demand Planning to ensure that the accurate demand is reflected in the demand plan and that we have the inventory to support it.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to new product launches and inventory management and develop strategies for continuous improvement.
• Identify potential risks and challenges related to new product launches and inventory management and develop contingency plans to mitigate risk and minimize disruptions.
• Prepares documents and templates for the team to facilitate the NPL forecast completion.
• Provides direction to Demand Planning on new launch plan proposals; evaluate pipe and forward 3-month plan to ensure door counts/events can be covered.
• Analyze monthly and rolling plans for all launch products and provide guidance/feedback to Demand Planning and other groups.
• Tracks ship and on-counter dates, highlighting any delays to hit on-counter dates.

Launch Execution

• Provides guidance to Customer Service to ensure the correct items are shipped to the correct doors at the right time
• Ensures that a summary of shipping is provided to the team.
• Provides guidance to Supply to ensure inventory availability on launches, upcoming deliveries and troubleshoots problems (e.g., QA holds)
• Calls out large variances in performance v. plan that may require a change in the demand plan, alerting the Head of Account & Sales Planning / Demand Planning
• Monitors weekly performance during launch, holiday/sets, and exclusive periods to re-allocate inventory as needed through the channels
• Monitors quantities and develops plans with supply chain and approval of Head of Account & Sales Planning, to exhaust all excess SKUs - especially limited editions.
• Launch reorder process - "war on waste" & leverage returns (not building excess)
• Ensure clear processes are in place to sustain file updates & meet deliverable timelines
• Develop and monitor the use of appropriate KPIs to measure and improve the effectiveness of the key elements of the planning process

Inventory Management

• Tracks performance of basic SKUs. Provides analysis/guidance on where we have potential OOS risk and how to mitigate it. (e.g., putting SKUs in event status and proving allocations to the team to protect all accounts).
• Provides monthly re-plans to supply chain on SKUs that have a high risk of going OOS ensuring we trigger production or improve transit times to cover the account needs.
• Make sure the file for line edits is updated monthly with actuals and with any new SKU that is being disco.
• Lead the monthly process with planners of completing sales and shipments estimates needed by the accounts for line edits SKUs assuring completion on due dates and having enough inventory to sell until off-counter day. Work closely with the team to execute best practices for these phase-out SKUs.
• Lead meetings with senior leadership about the phase-out Line Edits SKUs process. Provide updates on inventory status and flagging risks/opportunities. Suggested solutions or actions should be brought to these meetings
• Brings data and analysis to review with senior leadership
• Follow up on mitigation strategies to reduce risk of Line Edits SKUs. Work closely with demand plan and supply chain executing senior leadership decisions correctly.

Reporting and Analytics

• Analysis and review of launch, sets/holiday and exclusives to inform business decisions
• Responsible for analyzing monthly performance and working with Demand Planning to adjust the forecast
• Guides development of reciprocal logic for sales ramp up/ramp down during the holiday season
• Keep all launch files/databases updated on a regular basis so information on launches are up-to-date at all times

Other responsibilities:

• Attends launch consensus meetings
• Attends merchandising meetings to understand launch programs
• Attends marketing team status meetings
• Provides guidance on priority ship schedule to Marketing Operations/Marketing Services and Customer Service
• Brand representative for Profile Tag meeting for new products

Core Competencies:

• Strong financial and analytical acumen; ability to develop assets/insights that continuously improve planning and execution
• Strong ability to lead and provide guidance to the Account Management & Sales Planning organization, with direction from Head of Account & Sales Planning
• Strong business savvy and knowledge; ability to use analytics to inform others of the best options for program/allocations to support the account/brand strategy.
• Highly organized and structured

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
• 8-10 years' experience in account forecasting and inventory management
• Proven experience in product management, new product development, or inventory management, preferably in a leadership role.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed decisions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities with a track record of successfully leading teams and driving results.
• Knowledge of inventory management software (MI9/Just Enough, SAP, and Data warehouse) systems and supply chain management best practices
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong Analytical and Business acumen
• Ability to analyze and manipulate large amount of data in excel. Advanced Excel skills are a must.
• Self-starter and ability to work independently.
• Adept at problem-solving and attention to detail

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $120,550 to $208,200. Exact salary depends on several
factors such as experience, skills, education, and budget. Salary range may vary based on
geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for participation in a
highly competitive bonus program with possibility for overachievement based on performance
and company results as well as participation in the share incentive plan.
In addition, The Estée Lauder Companies offers a variety of benefits to eligible employees,
including health insurance coverage, wellness and family support programs, life and disability
insurance, retirement savings plans, paid leave programs, education-related programs, paid
holidays and vacation time, and many others. Many of these benefits are subsidized or fully paid
for by the company.