Demand Planner

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Reporting to the Demand Planning Manager, the Demand Planner is responsible for analyzing and maintaining forecasting plans for regular and promotional volumes on existing and new products by item and location, product families and categories. Maintain business and system settings to ensure accurate and timely forecasts. The Demand Planner collaborates with Fulfillment Analysts, Category Managers, and other teams to develop and execute demand plans. This highly collaborative role will be a key planning contributor in cross functional team meetings and will help drive demand planning process improvement activities.  

Forecasting (50%)

• Analyze historical data and define key assumptions to generate and maintain a base statistical forecast for all SKUs, categories, and product families.
• Revise assumptions and adjust demand plans using historical data, quantitative analysis, and input from vendors and Account Management.
• Develop consensus demand plans through a structured process across functional workstreams (PSSP, Operations, Procurement, Finance, ISS).
• Own forecast accuracy and other KPIs metrics by driving root cause/corrective actions to improve accuracy and performance.

Collaborative Planning (35%)

• Participate as a key member of cross-functional team meetings to ensure understanding and agreement on consensus demand plans and underlying assumptions.
• Exchange information with the PSSP team and vendors on new product launches and product phase outs to select comparable product substitutions for increased forecast accuracy.
• Collaborate with PSSP and the Supply Planning team to develop joint business plans including projected volumes and commitments on inventories.
• Create scenario plans as needed to mitigate risk and conduct cost/benefit analysis.
• Coordinates with Account Management, customers and suppliers to investigate gaps between forecasts, planned commitments and actuals.

Revenue Generation Support and & Execution Support (10%)

• Prepares assumption-based projections to help the management team understand forecast rationale for vendor and customer negotiations.
• Provides Distribution Center (DC) Operations with projections on DC capacity risks at aggregate levels in appropriate units of measure.

Other (5%)

• Maintains relevant business knowledge of product categories and stays abreast of market and industry trends and conditions.  
• Acts as a McKesson ambassador of corporate values.

Working Experience

• 2+ years inventory management and/or demand planning experience
• 2+ years experience with ERP systems, planning systems, and replenishment systems

Education

• 4-year degree in business, mathematics, finance, marketing, or related field, or equivalent experience

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with MS Excel (Formulas, Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPS)
• Proficiency with SQL and relational databases.
• Extensive knowledge of MS Office products (Excel, Power Point, Word).
• Knowledge of forecasting processes, forecasting systems and statistical analysis.
• Experience with Blue Yonder (formerly JDA) Demand Planning highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills with proven ability to identify and solve problems.

Other Skills and Capabilities

• Ability to identify patterns in data and recognize when there is a change in terms of level, trend, or variability.
• IBF Certified Professional Forecaster highly desirable
• APICS experience or certification a plus
• Demonstrated ability to perform in a cross-functional team environment
• High level of integrity, showing ability to challenge opinions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to work with all levels of the organization and external vendor partners
• Strong understanding of supply chain and demand planning processes
• Attention to detail, whilst maintaining a strong sense of summary and ability to synthesize.
• Ability to identify operational and strategic issues and proactively drive solutions.

We are proud to offer a competitive compensation package at McKesson as part of our Total Rewards. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. The pay range shown below is aligned with McKesson's pay philosophy, and pay will always be compliant with any applicable regulations. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered. For more information regarding benefits at McKesson, please click here.

Our Base Pay Range for this position

McKesson is an Equal Opportunity Employer

McKesson provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees and is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age or genetic information. For additional information on McKesson’s full Equal Employment Opportunity policies, visit our Equal Employment Opportunity page.

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