The Demand Planner is a highly analytical and detail-oriented member of the supply chain and operations team. This role will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving demand forecasts that drive supply chain planning, inventory management, and customer service. This role requires cross-functional collaboration with sales, marketing, finance, operations, and supply planning to ensure alignment on business plans and accurate forecasting that supports revenue growth and operational efficiency.
Key responsibilities :
Forecasting & Planning
- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve statistical and consensus demand forecasts for multiple product categories, customers, and channels.
- Incorporate historical sales data, point-of-sale data, business intelligence, market trends, promotional plans, product launch and phase-out plans, and customer feedback into the forecasting process.
- Monitor forecast accuracy (MAPE, bias, forecast error) and implement corrective actions where necessary to drive improvement.
- Partner with supply planning and operations to align demand plans with supply capabilities, capacity, and inventory targets.
Collaboration & Cross-Functional Alignment
Lead regular demand review meetings with internal sales leaders and customers to align on SKU level forecasts.Participate in monthly S&OP meetings to share input on important changes to the forecasts.Collaborate with sales, marketing, and product development to understand demand drivers, product life cycle changes, and new product introductions.Partner with operations and supply planning teams to ensure forecast alignment with raw material and finished goods planning to minimize E&O inventory and stockouts.Communicate risks, opportunities, and recommended actions to leadership and stakeholders.Analysis & Reporting
Track, analyze, and report forecast performance against actuals, identifying trends and root causes of error.Monitor inventory turnover to help drive improvements and identify challenges to improve cash flow.Assist in the development of reporting tools and dashboards to visualize demand and support business decision-making.Support scenario planning and "what-if" analysis for new product launches, customer programs, and market shifts.Provide insights to reduce excess and obsolete inventory, while maintaining high service levels.Qualifications :
Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, economics, statistics, engineering or related field (preferred). 5 to 10 years of applicable experience in lieu of a bachelor's degree will be considered.3–5 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain analytics.Proficiency with demand planning tools (SAP IBP, SAP APO, Oracle Demantra, Kinaxis, Anaplan, Blue Yonder, or equivalent).Strong skills in Excel and data analysis; knowledge of Power BI, Tableau or other business intelligence applications is a plus.Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.).SQL knowledge is a plus.Experience in consumer goods, retail, manufacturing, or related industries preferred.Key Competencies & Skills
Technical Skills
Forecasting and demand planning methodologies (statistical, causal, and collaborative).Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including proficiency with large datasets.Knowledge of S&OP / IBP processes.Understanding of inventory management and supply planning concepts.Soft Skills
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex data clearly.Strong collaboration skills across cross-functional teams.Business acumen and ability to balance strategic insights with tactical execution.Detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.Continuous improvement mindset with a willingness to challenge the status quo.Cultural Fit
We are looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, is intellectually curious, and seeks to drive continuous improvement. The successful candidate will demonstrate accountability, a passion for problem-solving, and the ability to connect data-driven insights with practical business outcomes. Our business is growing rapidly, and we are looking for team members willing to help take us from a start-up mentality (including systems and processes) to a mature organization.
Performance Metrics
Forecast accuracy and bias reduction.Improvement in service levels (fill rate, OTIF).Reduction in excess and obsolete inventory.Contribution to S&OP maturity.Cross-functional satisfaction and adoption of demand planning insights.