Demand Planner

Job Description

The Demand Planner is responsible for the development and delivery of an unconstrained, consolidated, consensus demand signal fit for use by supply planning that analyzes and optimizes various inputs. This position partners with a broader cross-functional team to optimize and balance customer service levels with operating costs and inventory. The Demand Planner is empowered to make decisions for their responsible items and customers and to share responsibility with other relevant parties to edit and approve the consensus plan.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Work with business unit leadership to generate a consensus demand plan comprised of various inputs – statistical, commercial, customer, market intelligence, etc... Collaborate with internal and external business partners to identify and resolve discrepancies between forward-looking sales forecasts and demand forecasts.

Responsible for all master data creation, maintenance, demand history or outlier cleansing for assigned items.

Monitor forecast accuracy and forecast bias KPI’s for the region, ensure the identification of sources of forecast error and corrective action for continual improvement, and review/challenge root cause analysis provided by the demand planners. Regularly review the statistical forecasting methods and parameters used for improvement.

Participate in S&OE meetings representing commercial interests.

Assist in the development of annual plans and reconcile annual plans with demand plans. Communicate and collaborate with key partners in commercial, finance, or manufacturing to understand and address any gaps between the plans.

An understanding of strategic business objectives, identify IBP KPIs impacted by demand-planning activities and outputs (ex. OTIF), and drive continual improvement in results.

Determining methods to address and correct any demand-planning group behaviors that adversely affect IBP KPIs. Escalate and resolve demand planning issues that span across categories or countries.

Support meeting preparation and lead IBP pre-Demand Review preparation meetings within their responsible categories or Country Group(s).

Collaborate with other regional Demand Planners to drive demand planning global standards and industry best practices/improvement initiatives. Participate in broader supply chain and business operations initiatives on behalf of the demand-planning group.

Ensure that the demand forecast is shared/received in the format, level of detail and timing required by all customers and supply chain partners, with documented assumptions, with sensitivity confidential data relating to risk and cost. Demonstrate sound business decision making that's aligned with company goals.

Work with various cross-functional teams on projects such as new product launches, line extensions and product discontinuations. Play a leading role in the integration of new products, including scope definition, product segmentation review, and communication to demand stakeholders. Evaluate buying patterns of key customers and predict how the company should react to product phase in, phase out, warranty, availability, demand shifts, promotions, events, and competitive products. Assess the impact of promotions and events on demand, using what-if analysis.

Ensure adherence to customer contracts with respect to demand planning and forecasting. Participate in the contract process for new and existing customers. Understand the impact of special requests from customers which are outside of contractual obligations, negotiating equitable and profitable service alternatives. Provide guidance on customer contract specific forecasting language.

Conduct initial onboarding and ongoing training for the demand planner positions. Assist and/or lead in the resolution of inventory, quality, production, delivery, accounting, receivables, or quantity issues.

(All other duties as assigned)

 

The Demand Planner is responsible for the analysis and publication of the regional consensus demand plan for the entire planning horizon. Their focus is on forecast accuracy, forecast bias, integrity, and timeliness. This position interacts with internal and external customers with the primary goal of delivering an accurate demand plan.

Planning scope: 2500 SKUs accounting for 280 million dollar per annum of revenue

Geographic span: Continental US, which include any glass

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