Janice LaPlante
Blair
Summary
Professional with strong background in demand planning and supply chain management. Skilled in forecasting, inventory optimization, and data analysis. Known for collaborative team approach and adaptability in dynamic environments. Consistently delivers results through strategic planning and effective communication.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Demand Planner
Valmont Industries, Inc
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
05.2020 - Current
- Contributed to building the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, ensuring alignment between demand forecasts and production capacity.
- Partnered cross-functionally with the sales, finance, production, and materials teams to refine demand and supply assumptions.
- Translated demand forecasts into production plans that optimized manufacturing efficiency and on time delivery.
- Drove process standardization, system enhancements, and best practices within ERP and demand planning platforms.
Business Development and Strategy Manager
Hayneedle.com
Omaha, Metropolitan Area
07.2019 - 01.2020
- Partnered with senior leadership to develop and execute both short- and long-term strategic initiatives aligned with business objectives.
- Lead comprehensive partnership analyses, identifying actionable insights to inform and strengthen long-range strategy.
- Designed and conducted complex, multi-variable analyses—both ongoing and ad hoc—to diagnose operational challenges and deliver data-driven solutions that improved business performance.
Planning Manager
Walmart e-Commerce
Omaha, Nebraska
04.2011 - 07.2019
- Led the team to direct inventory, receipts, revenue, cost, and margin performance for the e-commerce furniture division within a $50B annual business.
- Led strategic financial planning processes, delivering accurate forecasts to support revenue and profitability targets.
- Provided data-driven strategic and budgetary guidance to senior leadership and merchandising teams.
- Conducted in-depth ad hoc analyses to inform buyer decisions and leadership strategy.
Acting District Manager | Store Opening Team Leader | General Manager
Pottery Barn Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
Omaha, NE, US / Dubai, UAE
08.2003 - 04.2011
- Led successful site openings in new markets across the United States and the Middle East, overseeing store openings and market entry execution.
- Surpassed sales and profit targets over a six-year period through disciplined operational leadership and team development.
- Directed multi-unit operations spanning five stores with combined annual revenue of $19M.
- Managed full P&L responsibilities, including sales growth, shrink control, payroll optimization, and talent retention.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
Trinity University
San Antonio, TXSkills
- Strategic Decision Making
- Leadership
- Collaboration
- Data analysis
- Inventory Management
- Continuous Improvement
Timeline
Senior Demand Planner
Valmont Industries, Inc
05.2020 - Current
Business Development and Strategy Manager
Hayneedle.com
07.2019 - 01.2020
Planning Manager
Walmart e-Commerce
04.2011 - 07.2019
Acting District Manager | Store Opening Team Leader | General Manager
Pottery Barn Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
08.2003 - 04.2011
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
Trinity University