Job Description
We are seeking a data-driven and strategic Demand Planning Manager to lead our demand forecasting and S&OP processes. This role is critical in aligning cross-functional teams and ensuring that demand plans reflect commercial strategies, market realities, and supply capabilities. You will be responsible for creating robust demand forecasts, facilitating the monthly S&OP cycle, and helping the business make informed, data-backed decisions.
Key Responsibilities
Demand Forecasting & Planning
* Develop and maintain a 18-24 month rolling demand forecast at SKU, channel, and customer level using a mix of statistical tools, historical data, and business inputs.
* Analyze sales trends, seasonality, customer demand patterns, POS data, and marketing activities to inform forecast assumptions.
* Track and improve forecast accuracy using metrics such as MAPE, BIAS, and forecast vs. actual variances.
Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
* Own and facilitate the monthly S&OP process, ensuring alignment between Demand, Supply, Sales, Marketing, and Finance.
* Lead Demand Review meetings, preparing key inputs, scenario planning, and insights that support volume and financial alignment.
* Drive consensus across functions on demand plans, forecast risks and opportunities, and supply constraints.
* Translate business strategy into demand plans that support financial objectives, production planning, and inventory goals.
* Monitor execution of S&OP decisions and identify gaps, escalations, or mitigation actions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Partner with Sales and Marketing to incorporate promotional plans, new product launches, and customer feedback into the forecast.
* Work closely with Supply Planning, Operations, and Inventory teams to ensure capacity and supply plans align with demand projections.
* Collaborate with Finance to ensure volume plans align with budget and forecast cycles.
Inventory & Supply Chain Alignment
* Optimize inventory across channels by balancing supply and demand, avoiding both stockouts and excess.
* Analyze root causes of forecast errors or service issues and recommend continuous improvement actions.
* Support end-to-end visibility and agility in the supply chain by communicating forecast shifts and trends in real time.
Analytics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
* Build and maintain reporting dashboards to visualize key forecast and S&OP metrics.
* Conduct post-mortems on forecast performance and apply learnings to future cycles.
* Drive continuous improvement of demand planning processes and tools, including automation and advanced analytics.
Required Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Analytics, Economics, or related field; MBA or Master's preferred.
* 5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain within a consumer brand or CPG environment.
* Proven experience leading or co-owning an S&OP process.
* Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret large datasets and convert them into actionable insights.
* Proficiency with forecasting tools (e.g., SAP IBP, Oracle Demantra, NetSuite), ERP systems, and advanced Excel.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
* Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic business with competing priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
* APICS, IBF, or S&OP certification (e.g., CPIM, CSCP, CPF, or CLTD).
* Experience working in omnichannel environments (eCommerce, wholesale, retail).
* Familiarity with data visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau.
* Exposure to global or regional planning across markets.
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