The Manager Demand & Starts Planning is responsible for leading the Front-End Planning team with a focus on Demand Planning, Wafer Starts Planning, and Integrated Die Planning. This role ensures that customer demand is translated into a robust production and wafer start plan and serves as a key interface between Business Units, Supply Planning, Operations, Manufacturing, and Executive Management. The position plays a critical role in supporting the successful implementation of the ONE Renesas transformation and the future scalability of the Planning organization.
Reporting Line
Reports to Director Production Planning
Location: Dresden, Germany
Leads a global team located in Germany and the United States
Key Responsibilities
Demand Planning
Own and manage the end-to-end Demand Planning process across multiple Business Divisions.
Consolidate customer demand, forecasts, and business requirements.
Ensure high-quality demand signals across the supply chain.
Lead demand review meetings with Business Units and Sales organizations.
Identify demand-related risks and escalate capacity constraints proactively.
Wafer Starts Planning
Own Wafer Starts Planning across internal and external foundries.
Translate demand and supply signals into executable wafer start plans.
Ensure the optimal balance between service level, inventory, and capacity utilization.
Own and maintain the Integrated Die Plan.
Conduct scenario analyses to address demand, capacity, and supply changes.
Team Leadership
Build, develop, and lead a global Demand & Starts Planning team.
Coach and support employee development and career growth.
Define roles, responsibilities, and planning standards.
Foster a high-performance and collaborative team culture.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Collaborate closely with: Business Units, Operations Planning, OSAT Planning, Supply Planning, Manufacturing, Finance, Sales & Marketing
Lead regular demand and supply review processes.
Manage critical escalations and drive resolution plans.
Processes & Systems
Drive continuous improvement of planning processes within the ONE Renesas framework.
Leverage and optimize Kinaxis RapidResponse and other planning tools.
Promote process standardization, automation, and digitalization.
Define and maintain relevant KPIs and management dashboards.
Education
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in: Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering or a related discipline
Professional Experience
Minimum 8-10 years of experience in Supply Chain, Production Planning, or Operations Planning.
Minimum 3-5 years of international people management experience.
Experience within the semiconductor industry, including Foundry, Wafer Fab, Assembly/Test, or Operations Planning environments.
Proven experience in Demand Planning and Supply Planning.
Experience managing global and virtual teams.
Functional Competencies
Integrated Business Planning (IBP) and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
Demand Planning
Master Production Scheduling
Wafer Starts Planning
Capacity Planning
Inventory Management
Semiconductor Supply Chain Management
Forecasting & Analytics
Risk Management
Scenario Planning
Systems Knowledge
Kinaxis RapidResponse
SAP ERP / SAP IBP
Advanced Microsoft Excel
Power BI
Personal Competencies
Leadership
Strong leadership and people management skills
Ability to lead teams through organizational and transformational change
Talent development and coaching capabilities
Communication
Excellent communication skills in English
Ability to effectively communicate with senior leadership and executive stakeholders
Strong intercultural collaboration skills
Working Style
Analytical and data-driven mindset
Strong initiative and ownership
Structured and results-oriented approach
High level of accountability
Personal Attributes
Strong decision-making capability
Ability to influence and drive alignment across organizations
Resilient and able to perform in a fast-paced environment
Trusted business partner to leadership teams and business stakeholders
Renesas is an embedded semiconductor solution provider driven by its Purpose, To Make Our Lives Easier. With a global team of over 21,000 engineers and problem solvers in more than 30 countries, we offer the opportunity to work on world‑leading technology for Automotive, Industrial, Infrastructure, and IoT, shaping a safer, healthier, greener, and smarter future.
At Renesas, TAGIE is our culture, grounded in being Transparent, Agile, Global, Innovative, and Entrepreneurial. It shapes how we work, grow and deliver on our purpose together. This collaborative spirit and mindset drive our semiconductor technology to transform industries and impact millions of lives.
We believe in rewarding our employees with a competitive benefits package alongside their salary. More information will be provided during the hiring process.
Are you ready to join our team and shape the future with us?
Renesas Electronics is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to supporting diversity and fostering a work environment free of discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For more information, please read our Diversity & Inclusion Statement.
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