Research Associate

**We are seeking for**: Kühne Logistics University (KLU) in Hamburg, in collaboration with Gebr. Heinemann, is investigating new approaches and methodologies to advance the use of data and analytics for supply chain management in the research area "Supply Chain and Operations Strategy". To support our research team, we are looking for a Research Associate & PhD student "Supply Chain Analytics for Demand Planning" (gn). **Research topic** Gebr. Heinemann, a family-owned retailer based in Hamburg, is a global player in the travel retail market. It operates stores and boutiques worldwide at airports, borders, and aboard cruise ships. Additionally, Gebr. Heinemann supplies a continually expanding range of international branded goods to international airports, airlines, and other operators. Against this background, superior supply chain management is a key success factor for the company and critical for the future. To further advance supply chain management, demand planning is typically considered as the starting point of all supply chain planning activities that enables robust, efficient, and sustainable processes. Demand planning encompasses long-term forecasting of market trends or portfolio shifts, as well as short-term forecasting that focuses on daily sales per article and store for replenishment optimization. The availability of new data sources and machine learning models offers an immense potential to both boost forecasting accuracy and to improve demand planning processes. In this project, our aim is to improve best-practices in supply chain analytics to further refine demand planning at Gebr. Heinemann. **Your Responsibilities**: You will conduct rigorous research to understand the best use of supply chain analytics for demand planning at Gebr. Heinemann. You will explore segmentation approaches for different demand forecasting methodologies, develop forecasting-automation solutions, and evaluate new data sources that can be use feed into the demand planning process. The research will center around the "demand to customer order" process, and feed into the supply chain strategy. The exact scope of the project will be tailored according to the shared interests of all parties involved. You collaborate closely with Gebr. Heinemann's demand planning team and work under the academic guidance of Prof. Dr. Kai Hoberg. The insights gleaned from your research will be developed into academic journal articles and presentations at leading scientific conferences **Your qualifications**: Requirements for employment are a very good degree in industrial engineering, business administration, mechanical engineering, business informatics, mathematics, or a similar field and the willingness to do research and scientific work within the scope of the task. Additionally, first experiences in the supply chain management environment are required. We expect you to have very good communication skills, both in dealing with academic colleagues and with the contacts in the company. You should demonstrate strong analytical skills, enjoy working independently and responsibly, and have fun dealing with large amounts of data. Good IT skills (data analytics, databases, programming) are an advantage. **PhD** ***KLU supports the scientific employee in writing a dissertation on the research topic. As a state-recognized university, KLU has the right to award doctoral degrees. The dissertation is usually done cumulatively on the basis of several scientific papers. **We offer**: We offer an attractive salary and a personal, annual research budget of 5,000 euros to cover research-related costs (e.g., conference visits, research colloquia, hardware and software). In addition, tuition fees for doctoral studies at KLU are waived. KLU guarantees very good working conditions, a very positive working atmosphere, as well as a dedicated team and an international environment with a high degree of creative freedom. The position is planned for four years. At KLU, you will work with open-minded and ambitious colleagues in an international, multicultural atmosphere at the attractive HafenCity location. Part of the research can be conducted in collaboration with a partner abroad (e.g. University of Sydney). **Contact**: - gn= gender neutral **About us**: