Demand & Inventory Planning Manager (Akron, Ohio)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Planning

• Oversee approximately $70M in Finished Goods inventory across multiple sites, ensuring inventory levels align with customer demand, service expectations, working capital objectives, and business strategy.
• Lead replenishment planning activities for Finished Goods purchased from internal and external suppliers across multiple geographies, balancing product availability with excess inventory and stockout risk.
• Establish and maintain inventory targets by evaluating demand patterns, seasonality, lead times, supplier capacity, production constraints, logistics limitations, and distribution requirements.
• Develop inventory planning models by market, customer, and product segment to support optimized stocking strategies, replenishment decisions, and service level performance.
• Develop and manage the Interfit stock plan, ensuring planning parameters, stock levels, ordering practices, and replenishment processes support business and customer availability needs.
• Monitor slow-moving, excess, obsolete, and aging inventory; recommend actions to improve stock quality, reduce exposure, support scrap management, and strengthen inventory health.
• Coordinate New Product Introduction planning by aligning forecast assumptions, launch timing, stocking needs, supplier readiness, item setup, and replenishment strategy with cross-functional teams.
• Support the sales forecast process by reviewing historical demand, market trends, seasonality, customer activity, promotional activity, budget assumptions, and commercial input.
• Challenge and validate forecast inputs using data analysis and demand trends to identify root causes of changes and ensure updates are reflected in planning systems.
• Partner with Customer Service, Sales, Operations, Logistics, and suppliers to improve product availability, reduce backorders, and proactively address supply constraints or service risks.
• Support logistics cost optimization by evaluating replenishment timing, order quantities, distribution flow, supplier lead times, container utilization, and inventory placement.
• Support wheel workshop planning, including forecast review, monthly ordering, component availability, production readiness, and alignment with customer demand.
• Lead the regional S&OP processes by providing inventory analysis, forecast accuracy insights, supply risk visibility, and recommendations for inventory and service level improvement.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Vendor and Orderbook Management

• Manage replenishment and distribution order activity to ensure orders are created, monitored, updated, and executed in alignment with inventory targets, demand requirements, and supplier capabilities.
• Evaluate demand horizon, supply outlook, vendor capacity, production timing, transit schedules, and open order status to identify potential gaps, delays, or inventory imbalances.
• Partner with internal and external suppliers to manage open purchase orders, confirm delivery timing, resolve discrepancies, and support product availability standards.
• Monitor orderbook accuracy by reviewing purchase orders, distribution orders, delivery dates, quantities, supplier confirmations, and planning system updates.
• Identify, communicate, and escalate supply risks impacting customer availability, service levels, inventory quality, or business commitments.
• Minimize overstock, stockout, delayed replenishment, and excess inventory risk by adjusting planning assumptions, order quantities, timing, and replenishment priorities.
• Collaborate with suppliers, Logistics, Customer Service, Finance, and Operations to address vendor performance, shipment delays, availability concerns, and order prioritization needs.

System and Reports Optimization

• Ensure efficient and accurate use of the company ERP system for item master data, planning parameters, purchase order management, replenishment planning, and material plan execution.
• Maintain and review planning master data, including lead times, reorder points, safety stock levels, minimum order quantities, supplier information, item status, and other planning parameters that influence replenishment and inventory decisions.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance KPIs and reporting tools to monitor forecast accuracy, inventory levels, stock quality, service levels, backorders, slow-moving inventory, excess and obsolete inventory, and orderbook performance.
• Analyze planning reports and system outputs to identify trends, root causes, risks, and opportunities for improvement; summarize findings and provide actionable recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives related to planning processes, reporting accuracy, inventory visibility, data integrity, system utilization, and digitalization of planning tools.
• Partner with IT, Supply Chain, Finance, Customer Service, and Operations to improve planning system functionality, automate reporting where possible, and ensure planning data supports timely and informed business decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and business reporting tools, with the ability to analyze, summarize, and present complex planning data.
• Strong knowledge of demand planning, inventory management, forecasting, replenishment planning, and S&OP processes.
• Experience with MRP, DRP, ERP systems, and forecasting or planning tools required; Infor M3 experience preferred.
• Ability to develop, monitor, and interpret KPIs related to forecast accuracy, inventory optimization, service levels, stock quality, slow-moving inventory, and excess and obsolete inventory.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes, evaluate trends, and recommend corrective actions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage inventory levels while balancing customer service expectations, supply constraints, lead times, and working capital objectives.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and changing business needs in a fast-paced environment.
• High attention to detail and accuracy when reviewing forecasts, item master data, planning parameters, purchase orders, inventory records, and reporting outputs.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Sales, Customer Service, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Finance, vendors, and internal and external suppliers.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate planning recommendations, risks, and business impacts clearly to multiple levels of the organization.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to challenge assumptions, align stakeholders, and drive accountability across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to lead process improvement initiatives, support digitalization of planning tools and reports, and improve planning accuracy, inventory visibility, and overall supply chain performance.
• Must be a collaborative team player with a positive mindset, cultural awareness, and the ability to work effectively across regions and functions

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in demand planning, supply planning, production planning, or a related analytical or operational role.
• Demonstrated experience working with forecasting, inventory management, and sales or operational planning processes (e.g., S&OP).
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced Excel; experience with planning or forecasting tools preferred.
• Ability to collaborate cross‑functionally with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain teams.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

SUPERVISORY SKILLS

• Responsible for utilizing the company’s timekeeping system to monitor employees' working hours and approve timesheets by deadlines set forth by HR.
• Evaluate employee performance including attendance tracking, workload capacity, quality, accuracy, and safety.
• Provide continuous feedback on employee performance throughout the year as well as conduct yearly performance evaluations.
• Ability to effectively resolve conflict with a positive outcome for the employees and company.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately in English in writing or verbally to co-workers, supervisors, customers, and suppliers in person, by email, or via telephone.
• Secondary language skills preferred, but not required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Must be able to operate a computer and mobile devices for extended periods to manage reporting and communication tasks.
• Ability to safely lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds is required. 
• Work environment will include office and warehouse settings.

Why Join Yokohama TWS?

At Yokohama TWS, we know that great people are the driving force behind our success. That's why we're committed to creating an environment where employees feel supported, valued, and empowered to grow. In addition to a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with company match, company-paid life insurance, paid vacation, and holidays, we also invest in our people through professional development opportunities, employee assistance resources, referral incentives, and meaningful volunteer programs. Most importantly, you'll join a collaborative team that values expertise, ownership, continuous improvement, and the contributions each individual brings to the table.

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