POSITION SUMMARY:
The Demand Planner is responsible for developing, maintaining, and analyzing demand forecasts to support inventory planning, supply planning, and overall business performance. This is a highly analytical role requiring strong Excel skills, data interpretation, reporting, and the ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable business insights.
The Demand Planner works closely with the Senior Demand Planner to support the overall demand planning process, providing detailed analysis, reporting, forecast maintenance, and data-driven insights. This role serves as an important analytical partner to the Senior Demand Planner while taking ownership of defined products, customers, categories, or portions of the forecasting process.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Demand Planning & Analysis
- Develop and maintain demand forecasts using historical sales, trends, seasonality, promotions, customer activity, and other demand drivers.
- Analyze actual versus forecast to identify trends, variances, risks, and opportunities.
- Own assigned products, SKUs, customers, or categories within the broader demand planning process.
- Support forecast accuracy and bias analysis and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Investigate changes in demand and identify root causes.
- Maintain accurate forecast assumptions and planning data.
Reporting, Excel & Data Interpretation
- Build and maintain recurring demand planning reports and analytical tools.
- Analyze large datasets using advanced Excel capabilities.
- Reconcile data from multiple sources and investigate discrepancies.
- Translate data into clear insights.
- Prepare concise reports and presentations that highlight key trends, variances, risks, and opportunities.
- Identify opportunities to improve or automate reporting and analytical processes.
Senior Demand Planner Partnership
- Partner closely with the Senior Demand Planner on forecasting, reporting, and demand review activities.
- Provide analysis and insights to support the Senior Demand Planner's recommendations and decision-making.
- Assist with complex analysis, scenario planning, special projects, and business reviews.
- Escalate significant demand changes, data issues, risks, and opportunities.
- Independently manage assigned responsibilities while seeking guidance from the Senior Demand Planner on more complex issues.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partners with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Planning, and Operations to understand demand drivers and changes in the business.
- Incorporate relevant business information into forecasts and planning assumptions.
- Communicate analytical findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Participate in demand planning and business review meetings.
