Inventory and Demand Planning Analyst
About the position We are seeking a highly analytical, hands-on Inventory & Demand Planning Analyst to help transform our inventory and demand planning functions, with a primary focus on paper roll stock inventory. This role is critical in shaping a scalable, data-driven approach to managing inventory levels, forecasting demand, and supporting an effective Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) process. The ideal candidate will bring both vision and tactical execution to mature our current practices, help implement best-in-class tools and methodologies, and ensure we maintain optimal inventory levels that meet customer demand while minimizing working capital. What Makes You a Good Fit Pacific Southwest Container is a 50-year-old, family-owned paper packaging manufacturer that has thrived through an unyielding commitment to growth and staying on the cutting edge of the industry. Our people have enabled us to do this by being bold, taking action, driving initiatives, and maintaining a start-up mentality. PSC has established a culture where the status quo is never settled for, and we constantly look for the next opportunity to propel the business. We believe that there is an opportunity now to further leverage best-in-class practices to improve our inventory and demand planning and bring greater sophistication to our SIOP process. The right person for this role already has some experience in inventory and demand planning and is excited about the opportunity to bring that experience to a company entering a new phase of growth and transformation. Success in this position will lead to additional opportunities within PSC as we pursue inorganic and organic growth, and we continue to look to cultivate leaders to manage critical parts of the business.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement inventory strategies for paper roll stock and other
materials (inks, pallets, etc.).
- Define and maintain appropriate service levels, safety stock, reorder points,
and inventory targets.
- Optimize stock levels across multiple plants to reduce obsolescence and
bloated inventory.
- Analyze usage trends, lead times, and vendor variability to inform inventory
decisions.
- Partner with procurement to assess supplier impact on inventory planning.
- Build a scalable, repeatable demand planning process, starting with basic
forecasting and maturing toward more advanced models.
- Collaborate with Sales, Operations, and Finance to develop rolling demand
forecasts (monthly, quarterly, annual).
- Analyze historical sales, customer data, seasonality, and promotional
activity to improve forecast accuracy.
- Facilitate cross-functional alignment between sales, operations, and supply
chain to balance supply and demand.
- Prepare and present inventory and demand-related insights in SIOP meetings.
- Identify, recommend, and implement planning tools (e.g., Excel-based models,
planning software, dashboards) appropriate for our scale and complexity.
- Develop KPIs and reporting mechanisms to monitor forecast accuracy, inventory
turns, fill rates, and stockouts.
Requirements
- 2+ years of experience in inventory planning, demand planning, or supply
chain roles.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field.
- Experience in manufacturing or distribution environments; ideally in
packaging, pulp & paper, or similar materials-heavy industries.
- Basic familiarity with ERP systems and inventory modules; experience
selecting or implementing planning tools/software.
- Strong Excel skills; experience building or using planning models.
- Understanding of supply chain fundamentals: lead times, EOQ, safety stock,
reorder points, etc. Nice-to-haves
- Experience with paper roll stock or other bulky raw materials.
- Exposure to SIOP/IBP processes.
- APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP) or equivalent a plus.
Benefits
- Eligible for a performance bonus.
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