Demand Planning & Analytics Manager

Summary:

The Demand Planning & Analytics Manager runs the company’s Demand Planning and Sales & Operations Execution (S&OE) processes day to day and prepares the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle. This role improves forecast accuracy, inventory productivity, and service levels through disciplined, data-driven planning, and supports the Senior Demand & Planning Lead in leading the planning cadence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Employee must be able to perform these essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.

Demand Planning & Forecasting

• Run the demand planning process across business segments, product categories, and key SKU groupings.
• Develop, maintain, and improve statistical and business-informed forecasts.
• Identify trends, seasonality, risks, and opportunities impacting revenue, inventory, and service.
• Partner with Sales, Strategic Sourcing, and Product & Catalog Management to align forecast assumptions.
• Improve forecasts through segmentation, exception-based planning, and forecast value add (FVA).

S&OE (Sales & Operations Execution)

• Run the weekly S&OE meeting to balance short-term supply and demand.
• Track constraints, shortages, inventory risks, and fill-rate performance, and coordinate action plans with purchasing, operations, and commercial teams.
• Bring critical exceptions to the Senior Manager, Purchasing & Planning for decision.

S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning)

• Prepare the monthly S&OP cycle, consolidating demand, supply, inventory, and financial inputs.
• Build the materials and analysis for the S&OP executive review led by the Senior Manager, Purchasing & Planning.
• Track follow-up actions from the S&OP review through to completion.
• Lead cross-functional planning meetings and influence stakeholders.

KPI Reporting & Analytics

• Report planning KPIs including WAPE, Forecast Bias, FVA, Fill Rate, Inventory Turns, and Excess & Obsolete Inventory.
• Maintain dashboards and scorecards for planning performance.
• Analyze data to identify root causes and corrective actions at SKU, category, and supplier levels.

Process Improvement

• Improve planning standard work and exception-based workflows.
• Support planning system enhancements, automation, and AI-enabled analytics.
• Comply with the requirements of the company’s ISO 9001 Quality Management System (when required).
• Perform other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Regular manual dexterity/coordination: hand/eye movements, motor control.
• Regular visual effort: concentrated reading of documentation or close viewing of computer displays. 
• Occasional travel as business needs require.

Potential Hazards:

• This position is not exposed to any hazardous substances.

Competencies necessary to perform this job:

• Time Management – Effectively prioritize competing priorities, manage deadlines, and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Organization – Maintain a high level of organization across data, processes, projects, and cross-functional deliverables to ensure operational consistency and follow-through.
• Teamwork – Collaborate effectively across functions and levels of the organization to align priorities, solve problems, and drive business outcomes.
• Problem Solving – Proactively identify issues, analyze root causes, and implement practical, data-driven solutions to improve business performance.
• Communication – Clearly and professionally communicate insights, risks, recommendations, and priorities to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Analytical Thinking – Utilize data, trends, and business insights to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and support informed decision-making.
• Stakeholder Management – Build working relationships across Sales, Purchasing, and Operations to align on plans and actions.

Required Education/Experience/Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Engineering, Analytics, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in demand planning, supply chain planning, forecasting, inventory management, or S&OP.
• Working knowledge of S&OP/S&OE/IBP processes
• Experience with statistical forecasting tools.
• Advanced Excel and analytical skills.
• Experience participating in or facilitating cross-functional planning meetings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Education/Experience/Skills:

• Experience in aftermarket parts, industrial distribution, manufacturing, or high-SKU environments.
• Experience with ERP/MRP software such as NetSuite & SAP ByDesign.

Certifications, Licensees or Registrations Required/Preferred:

• This position does not require any special certifications, licenses, or registrations.