Promotions Planning Manager

Summary:
This role is part of a supply chain cooperative serving a national quick-service restaurant system. The organization is dedicated to ensuring a continuous supply of products and services at optimal cost and performance standards. The Manager of Promotions Planning plays a critical role in executing national promotional programs, ensuring product availability while minimizing excess inventory and associated costs. The position also leverages data and technology to enhance restaurant profitability and supply chain efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Promotions Execution & Inventory Management:

• Lead the execution of national promotional programs, ensuring product availability across the supply chain while minimizing obsolete inventory.
• Analyze inventory levels across suppliers, consolidation centers, and distribution centers; adjust purchase orders to meet promotional timelines and avoid supply gaps.
• Develop and refine demand forecasts at both menu and item levels using input from marketing and historical data.
• Collaborate with analytics teams to create regional and restaurant-level forecasts to optimize inventory placement.
• Monitor promotion performance and communicate insights to stakeholders to support inventory decisions.
• Design tools and reports to improve promotional planning and execution processes.
• Oversee the limited-time offer (LTO) order management process, including exception reporting and distributor coordination.
• Identify and implement continuous improvements in promotional and inventory processes.

Demand Planning & Forecasting:

• Utilize historical sales data, market trends, and promotional calendars to build accurate demand forecasts.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to align forecasts with marketing strategies and operational capabilities.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and adjust models to improve performance over time.
• Support strategic planning initiatives with data-driven insights into demand variability and inventory optimization.

Relationship Management:

• Maintain strong working relationships with internal departments (e.g., procurement, distribution, finance) and external partners (e.g., suppliers, distributors).
• Influence stakeholders to adhere to promotional protocols and timelines, ensuring disciplined execution across the supply chain.

Communication:

• Prepare and distribute documentation to support promotional launches, including forecasts, purchasing commitments, and internal communications.
• Lead weekly planning meetings and bi-weekly distributor calls to align stakeholders on upcoming promotions and inventory strategies.

Financial Oversight:

• Manage resolution of excess inventory through transfers, salvage sales, or financial reconciliation.
• Oversee invoice validation and payment processes related to promotional inventory and freight costs.
• Maintain tracking logs and provide payment status updates to partners.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in supply chain, demand planning, or inventory management.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint); experience with forecasting tools and ERP systems is a plus.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and capable of managing multiple projects under tight deadlines.