Demand Planner

We are seeking a highly analytical and driven Demand Planner to lead demand forecasting and support production scheduling across our network. This role will be responsible for translating customer demand signals into actionable supply plans, while partnering closely with Operations to ensure efficient production scheduling and inventory optimization.

The ideal candidate combines strong data analysis, forecasting expertise, and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to operate in a fast-paced, hands-on environment. This role plays a critical part in improving forecast accuracy, reducing inventory risk, and ensuring service levels are met.

Primary Responsibilities:

Demand Planning & Forecasting

• Develop and maintain rolling demand forecasts using historical data, customer orders, and market inputs.
• Analyze forecast accuracy, identify trends, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Sales and Finance to align on demand assumptions, promotions, and growth expectations.
• Establish and manage demand planning processes, including forecast cadence and S&OP inputs.
• Maintain forecast models and ensure data integrity within ERP and planning tools.

Production Planning & Scheduling Support

• Translate demand forecasts into production plans that align with plant capacity and constraints.
• Support short-term and mid-term production scheduling in collaboration with plant teams.
• Balance service levels, inventory targets, and production efficiency in scheduling decisions.

• Identify risks to supply (capacity, labor, materials) and proactively escalate mitigation plans.
• Assist in developing standard scheduling processes and improving planning visibility.

Inventory & Supply Optimization

• Monitor inventory levels, turns, and weeks-on-hand to ensure alignment with targets.
• Identify excess and obsolete inventory risks and partner on corrective actions.
• Support safety stock strategy development and parameter setting.
• Align inbound supply with demand requirements to avoid shortages or overstock.

Process, Systems & Data

• Build scalable demand planning and scheduling processes to support company growth.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve ERP/MRP utilization and data accuracy.
• Develop reporting and KPIs for forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory performance.
• Drive continuous improvement in planning tools, reporting, and workflows.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Operations, Procurement, Sales, Finance, and Logistics teams.
• Support S&OP process, providing insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Communicate risks, opportunities, and key changes in demand or supply clearly and proactively.

Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, candidates should meet the following requirements:

• 3–5+ years of experience in demand planning, supply chain, or production planning (CPG preferred).
• Strong analytical skills with experience in forecasting, data modeling, and Excel.
• Advanced Excel proficiency: comfortable working in complex, formula-driven workbooks including lookups, pivot tables, and structured data models. Experience with statistical forecasting outputs is a plus.
• Comfortable working in a partially manual Excel-based planning environment where the ERP does not fully automate planning
• Experience supporting or building production schedules in a manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (Aptean Ross experience a plus).
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, hands-on environment.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to translate data into actionable insights and recommendations for leadership.