Demand Planner

Purpose of the Job:

This Demand Planning position is responsible for all forecasting activities associated with depots and products. The Demand Planner creates and maintains forecast models for the depots, incorporating business intelligence and forecast information gathered from sales, marketing and finance. This position is the talent pool for the S&OP Managers role.

The Demand Planner is the integration point into the sales and commercial organization. Basic forecast modeling is the responsibility of this position. This position leads the dialogue each month for the depots and products with key counterparts in Sales and Marketing.

Basic Functions:

Develop demand forecasts (operational forecasts) at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons as part of the supply chain planning function.

Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results.

Coordinate cross-functional research activities to reconcile significant variances and refine the forecast model to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions.

Interact with sales, marketing and finance to understand demand forecast drivers.

Utilize a collaborative and consensus approach by working with Sales, Marketing and Finance to obtain and ensure that current and accurate information is used for demand forecasts.

Use and maintain the Demand Planning software as the primary forecasting system tool.

Provide input to the Supply Planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs.

Closely coordinate and communicate customer action plans with supply planning

Job Functions:

Create statistical forecasts: - Gather, analyze and validate data - Review resulting statistical forecast model - Apply error analysis techniques to improve forecasting - Summarize/aggregate statistical forecasts

Review sales plans , finance budget updates or latest estimates and demand drivers: - Present, solicit, and assess feedback on the various forecasts from sales, and finance - Recommend adjustments for operational forecasts - Review promotional plans with sales

Achieve consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process with sales, marketing and finance personnel: - Prepare relevant material to facilitate research and discussion

Provide input to volume planning - Achieve consensus with the business side and the demand chain

Maintain demand planning system and software - Enter and modify data and ensure the correctness of product hierarchy - Monitor trends in forecast error - Identify relevant market-related data and competitive intelligence

Prepare and maintain relevant reports pertaining to demand planning process

Key Results:

A depot demand forecast which incorporates current and accurate market information that allows the company to correctly predict depot demand and provide its supply chain with the appropriate information to plan how to meet that demand.

Improved relationships among planners, sales, marketing and finance, which will lead to effective knowledge sharing and an optimal consensus forecast to better guide the company.

Refined systems and methods to continually improve forecasts so that the company can better anticipate needs.

Required Education / Experience / Specific Job-related Skills

Years of Experience:

Two to Three years of experience in the industry.

Education/Training:

University Degree (Mathematics, Science or Engineering preferred)

Licenses/Certificates:

APICS or other forecasting Certification preferred

Other:

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office. This position requires strong analytical, organizational, decision making, and presentation skills. Strong interpersonal skills are also essential to effectively interact with all teams, areas and levels of business affecting the forecast process. Good facilitation skills are required.

Years of Experience:

Two to Three years of experience in the industry.

Education/Training:

University Degree (Mathematics, Science or Engineering preferred)

Licenses/Certificates:

APICS or other forecasting Certification preferred

Other:

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office. This position requires strong analytical, organizational, decision making, and presentation skills. Strong interpersonal skills are also essential to effectively interact with all teams, areas and levels of business affecting the forecast process. Good facilitation skills are required.