Description: Looking for a big picture-focused problem solver with an intuitive desire to drive results. The Associate Demand Planner will sit in a highly collaborative position and often serve as a liaison between Sales and Operations as he/she generates the statistical forecasts for our assortment of Gaming accessories. While this role will come with hands on training and plenty of resources, it will also require out-of-the-box thinking, a keen sense of problem solving, a desire for process improvement, and a drive to continually focus on the bottom line.

Think this sounds like all work and no play? Guess again. Set in a casual and laid back office environment in the heart of the West Loop, the ideal candidate will find him/herself surrounded by an assortment of fun, interactive products with a short life cycle. The ideal candidate would appreciate a work-life balance that includes the option to work from home on Fridays. With a fast-paced environment and collaboration among 3 international offices, this role is not your typical 9-5, and it will be perfect for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit that is looking to define a career path through experience across all areas of the organization and through all levels of the organization (including regular, direct interaction with C-level executives).

Responsibilities:

• Manage the demand forecasts for all product categories (including active replenishment, new product initiatives, one time buys, & end of life) in a designated region
• Identify extreme misses from prior periods & strategize on next steps to recover
• Lead a monthly review process to gain consensus from Sales on the demand forecasts
• Collaborate with Supply Planning (& other areas of Operations) to mitigate the inventory impact of sudden changes in demand
• Proactively participate in identifying opportunities for process improvement & developing solutions
• Play an active role in improving Forecast Accuracy for designated region
• Communicate with Sales regularly to identify gaps in expectations
• Support company-wide initiative to minimize active inventory without resulting in stock outs & to deplete end of life inventory via the most profitable channels
• A flexible work schedule – expect to take morning/evening calls from home 1-2 days per week

Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of previous experience in an analytical role (operations-focused preferred, but not required)
• A can do attitude – someone who sees a problem & immediately begins to strategize for solutions
• A multi-tasker – someone who is extremely collaborative & able to manage multiple projects at once
• A sense of efficiency – someone who can zero in on inefficient tasks/processes & develop improvements
• An ability to pick up new tools & systems quickly (experience with statistical forecasting preferred, but not required)
• Experience in or a passion for Consumer Electronics preferred, but not required

About SteelSeries:

• Overview: We make high performance gaming gear used by the most demanding gamers worldwide, loved in equal parts for our products and the active role we take within the competitive gaming community. Originally founded in Denmark, we've now grown to a global organization with offices in Copenhagen, Chicago, Taipei, & Beijing. We offer competitive pay, great benefits, and a work place filled with talented people who love gaming, technology, consumer electronics, and building awesome products.
• We are gaming: SteelSeries has fueled the gaming industry by creating innovative and new products designed specifically for eSports and passionate gamers everywhere.
• Relentless Innovation: Here at SteelSeries, we are obsessed with "firsts". Dating back to 2001, our company was formed to meet the surface needs of hardcore gamers by introducing the first glass mousepad, the Icemat. Since that original innovation, we created the first mechanical gaming keyboard, the first suspended headband for gaming headsets, the first World of Warcraft mouse and endless other innovations. SteelSeries is dedicated to building products that push professional gaming further than anyone dreamed. Those innovations make gaming more competitive and more fun for gamers everywhere.
• Inspiring Design: Our fans, customers, and professional eSports teams demand the ultimate performance from SteelSeries. We combine the necessity of professional-grade quality and durability with our unyielding pursuit of simple, modern design. Every surface, button, dial, key, and wheel is designed with the gamer's every move in mind. It's our goal to deliver gaming peripherals that feel like an extension of you. Our designers hand pick every material to make sure you have a beautiful product, and our engineers test every feature, ensuring tournament-ready quality.
• We are eSport: Since the new millennium, SteelSeries has been a driving force of eSports and professional gaming. From sponsoring the first pro players, to creating products specifically for pro teams, to turning exceptional gamers into global superstars, SteelSeries has been focused on growing the industry and helping gamers everywhere. Our pro team relationships are more than sponsorships, they are partnerships. We work closely with the world's best gamers to fine-tune our products and to ensure everything we create meets the needs of gamers at every level. Whether it's Evil Geniuses winning $6.6 million at The International 5 using all SteelSeries gear, or giving you the tools to step up your own game, eSports is at the heart of everything we do.
• Mission: We provoke an aspirational connection to gaming culture by disrupting conventions and empowering gamers through our products and communication.