Working closely with Sales Leadership, Finance support, Supply Planning, the Demand Planning Manager will play a pivotal role in the development of a weekly demand forecast for multiple business units and serve as a resource in our Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process. Utilizing excellent communication and analytical skills, the role will incorporate short, medium, and long-range sales forecasts, promotional activity, and sales data to estimate future product demand by chain and business unit. This role will be critical in driving profitable growth and organizational collaboration.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Partner with Key Account Sales, marketing, inside sales, and sales to produce an accurate forecast. Information will include current and upcoming key account needs, new item introductions, timing for discontinuations and impact projects.
Update weekly forecast changes to include chain promotional activity for a rolling 12-week period by location, package and item.
In partnership with Finance, provide balance of year forecast volume by package.
In partnership with Finance, provide insight for projected forecast volume by package during the Annual Operating Plan development.
Meet regularly with Sales and Supply Planning to monitor current forecast detail and identify any potential risks to supply for unplanned promotional activity.
Lead site level S&OP calls (Sales & Operations Planning) and S&OP meetings with all cross functional departments.
Track and report forecast accuracy metrics and drive continuous improvement in sales forecasting by location and business unit.
Identify, analyze, and document forecast accuracy variances by location, package and items. Develop improvement actions off this data.
Communicate with the key account managers in a rapid and timely manner on emerging demand changes and special requests.
Work with the Innovation team to develop new production introduction forecasts and timelines.
Build collaborative relationships with business partners by visiting sales locations. Travel expectations of 20%.
Perform other related duties as required and assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience.
Proficient in MS Excel to include statistical analysis, data collection, charts and pivot tables
PREFERRED SKILLSETS
The capability to successfully execute one or more of the following tasks is highly desirable to excel in this position.
3+ Years Demand Planning experience
Manufacturing/Supply Planning experience, specifically within a DSD industry
Key Account Sales experience to include setting promotional activity