Through it all, we are measured by the purest of passions, a love of horses. This unspoken bond between human and horse guides everything we do. For almost 40 years, this simple truth has been Horseware Ireland's guiding inspiration. It has helped us to always deliver high performance, beautiful and sustainable products that last.
It was 1985 when Horseware Ireland created our now iconic Rambo Original horse rug, sparking a design revolution that redefined innovation within the equine industry. We forged a path that would grow across geographies, span generations, and make Horseware Ireland the world's leading equestrian brand in horse rugs and equine products, selling to over 70 countries worldwide, with more than 400 employees.
Today, more than ever, we continue to challenge what is possible and re-imagine new ways of fulfilling our mission to Make Life Better.
Role Overview:
We are seeking an experienced and analytical Demand Forecasting Manager to lead our demand forecasting process and work within an integrated planning environment. This role is critical to ensuring accurate product and customer forecasting across the business. The ideal candidate will have experience in the garment / apparel industry with a strong understanding of seasonality and consumer demand cycles, along with exceptional analytical and cross-functional collaboration skills. They will have the gravitas to bring commercial insight to support decision-making and business growth. This is a hands on role to build the forecast and associated processes as well as leading the more strategic discussions as part of an IBP cycle.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the monthly demand forecasting process to develop accurate short-, medium-, and long-term forecasts to achieve the organisation's strategic goals and targets.
* Build / develop accurate and timely demand forecasts at the style/color/SKU level for multiple product categories across seasons and across multiple channels.
* Collaborate with Marketing, Merchandising, Sales and Supply Chain teams to collect relevant inputs and ensure consensus-based forecasts. Incorporating product lifecycle insights, external trends, promotional plans and channel-specific data into forecasts.
* Analyse historical sales trends, market trends, seasonality, and promotional and marketing activity to improve the forecast process and level of accuracy. Monitor and adjust forecasts in response to sell-through performance, customer feedback and market changes.
* Develop and subsequently manage demand planning tools and systems.
* Develop and monitor key forecast metrics (bias, accuracy, forecast value add) and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
* With Supply Planning team develop an inventory strategy to support both the demand forecast and achievement of inventory optimisation targets.
* Oversee region/channel/order type prioritisation rules and tools to optimise current stock, service levels and omni-channel performance.
* Work closely with New Product Development team and StageGate process to manage Product Lifecycle within the demand forecast. Introducing new products and run out of old products, working closely with Supply Chain to develop a coordinated inventory plan.
* Lead demand review meetings as part of the seasonal planning and IBP process, aligning stakeholders on forecast assumptions and inventory needs.
* Partner with supply chain on the short term (less than 13 weeks) tactical demand and supply balancing.
* Prepare and present executive-level reports and dashboards on forecast performance and demand trends by product and region / channel / customer.
* Identify demand risks and opportunities and develop action plans to mitigate or capitalize on them.
* Manage pre-season, in-season, and post-season planning to optimise run out of discontinued SKU's.
* Partner with supply planning team to ensure forecasts are aligned with lead times, MOQs, and capacity constraints.
* Guide the commercial team on discounting strategies for slow-moving products to achieve sell-through while protecting overall margin targets.
* Use demand, pricing, and market analysis to evaluate price competitiveness and product elasticity, ensuring margin goals are achieved while remaining competitive in the market.
About you:
* 5+ years of demand planning or forecasting experience in the apparel or fashion industry or another seasonal business.
* Strong understanding of retail cycles, seasonality, product development timelines, and assortment planning.
* Knowledge of garment production and supply chain constraints, including overseas manufacturing, is a strong asset.
* Strong analytical skills with proficiency in Excel, ERP/MRP systems, and forecasting software.
* Experience with managing demand across multiple sales channels (wholesale, e-commerce, retail).
* Experience in statistical forecasting and assumption based forecasting.
* Excellent problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.; experience working with large data sets and drawing actionable insights.
* Experience with S&OP or IBP (Integrated Business Planning) processes is a strong plus.
* AI experience an asset.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work effectively with creative and operational teams.
* Proven ability to develop strong relationships and influence senior stakeholders (both internally and externally).
* Ability to work under own initiative, results orientated.
* Degree qualified.