Associate Planner PIM-2

About us:
Target is an iconic brand, a Fortune 50 company and one of America’s leading retailers.
As a Fortune 50 company with more than 400,000 team members worldwide, Target is an iconic brand and one of America's leading retailers. At Target, we have a timeless purpose and a proven strategy and that hasn’t happened by accident. Some of the best minds from diverse backgrounds come together at Target to redefine retail in an inclusive learning environment that values people and delivers world-class outcomes. That winning formula is especially apparent in Bengaluru, where Target in India operates as a fully integrated part of Target’s global team and has more than 4,000 team members supporting the company’s global strategy and operations.

Joining Target means promoting a culture of mutual care and respect and striving to make the most meaningful and positive impact. Becoming a Target team member means joining a community that values diverse backgrounds. We believe your unique perspective is important, and you'll build relationships by being authentic and respectful. At Target, inclusion is part of the core value. We aim to create equitable experiences for all, regardless of their dimensions of difference. As an equal opportunity employer, Target provides diverse opportunities for everyone to grow and win.

Target Merchandising is evolving at an incredible pace. We are constantly reimagining how this $100 billion retailer offers the innovative, guest-inspiring items that Target is known and loved for. Our goal is to deliver exceptional value, quality and style to elevate Target as the premier retailer in a competitive global marketplace. Through intelligent and progressive business strategies that make the most of Target’s resources and partnerships worldwide, merchandising works across product categories to create a localized shopping experience online and in our 1900 stores. Are you a creative problem solver who loves to see your work translate into real results? Can you collaborate effectively, execute a plan efficiently and positively influence how Target chooses and presents the right product in the right place at the right price? If so, you will have success on one of our dynamic teams.

A role in Planning means being in charge of unit forecasting for one of Target’s businesses. Here, you will conduct demand planning, forecasting and management of assigned business units to maximize sales and drive forecast accuracy. Acting as the hub between Planning and Inventory, you will create a financial link between these two essential groups and have a voice in some of the most important decisions from a financial strategy standpoint.

As an Associate Planner PIM, you will be responsible for forecasting guest demand by analyzing historical sales data, market trends and other relevant factors to create accurate demand forecasts.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.  Forecast Accuracy: Own, measure and improve the unconstrained demand forecast accuracy across various time horizons. You will be responsible for creating tools, processes, and routines that will enable continuous improvement of the key metrics (Forecast accuracy, Bias%).
2.  Promo Management: Collaborate closely with the Business Unit (BU) and Cross-Functional Teams (CFT) to ensure accurate forecasting for all promotional events. This includes identifying and correcting all relevant components to support successful execution and achieve departmental accuracy goals. Set promo levers in Replenishment systems, advise risk to AD OOS and communicate store level risk/overstock.
3.  Seasonal Analysis: Perform seasonal forecast validation for key events and holidays throughout the year to ensure forecasts accurately capture incremental sales and demand shifts during high-impact periods.
4.  Allocation: Maintain instock goals through effective product distribution. Analyze sales history and trends to maximize sales potential by developing allocation strategies that maintain proper store inventory levels.
5.  Business Analysis: Analyze and summarize business performance of product categories, monitor sales, inventory, margin and other factors impacting Instocks & profitability.
6.  Communication: Ensure timely and proactive communication with key stakeholders such as Merch Planners, Inventory Analysts, Buyer, Sr.Inventory Managers and other key CFT partners at Target India and Minneapolis.
7.  Providing weekly business insights for stores and digital through reporting dashboards and weekly emails or metric review calls
8.  Lead and Execute pilots and transition for enterprise level inventory management priorities
9. Invest in automation and process efficiency gains

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
·      2–5 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or a related supply chain role, preferably in the retail industry.
·      Strong problem-solving skills, assertiveness, and a proactive approach to driving initiatives
·      Good data management and interpretation
·      Proficiency in excel and good knowledge of other MS Office tools
·      Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
·      Highly motivated and committed to the development of high-quality work
·      The ability to summarize critical issues with resolutions and effectively communicate and present to leadership is essential.
·      Proficiency in basic statistical concepts is a must-have for this position.

DESIRED REQUIREMENTS:
·      Experience in retail, FMCG, or consumer goods industries.
·      Working knowledge of supply chain
·      Experience with VBA and SQL is beneficial but not a prerequisite.

Useful Links-
Life at Target- https://india.target.com/
Benefits- https://india.target.com/life-at-target/workplace/benefits
Culture- https://india.target.com/life-at-target/diversity-and-inclusion