Demand Planner

Demand Planner

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, or Finance or the equivalent work experience.
• 6+ years of previous forecasting experience, preferably in a CPG environment
• Strong interpersonal skills as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills (Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint). PowerBI experience desired.
• Experience with forecasting and demand planning tools (John Galt-ATLAS preferable)
• Experience with SQL and Database administration desired.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) programs, JD Edwards experience desired.
• Able to work independently with minimal oversight.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills are required to analyze and interpret large volumes of data for developing fact-based business assumptions.
• Able to manage multiple assignments and projects simultaneously with shifting priorities, deadlines and focus.
• Must be adaptable and flexible.

Responsibilities

• Uses current and historical shipment information, market trends, and external information to develop a product level demand plan (by month) for an 18+ month time frame utilizing demand planning software (i.e. managing forecast processes and reporting).
• Work closely with Product Managers and Sales Managers on forecast assumptions and proactively adjust forecasts with the latest developments (i.e. effective collaboration and risk mitigation).
• Generate and continuously review forecasts and understand how sales trends, POS and/or shipment patterns will affect future demand, adjusting as necessary to avoid stock outs.
• Communicate forecast assumptions, risks and opportunities to all stakeholders, meeting with managers and executives to review strategies (i.e. effective communication).
• Analyze market trends and apply this knowledge to make insightful forecasting decisions.
• Responsible for cleansing different internal databases to ensure accurate forecasts.
• Train new demand forecasters and analysts, as necessary.
• Works with internal & external customers to understand trends, customer promotions and customer needs/requirements.
• Effectively understand and influence forecast related inputs through collaboration with customer business teams and brand teams, ensuring the customer forecast planning tool is accurate.
• Develop relationships with key customer contacts to review demand projections and other opportunities.
• Monitor and advise on any issues which present risk or opportunity to the organization.
• Work closely with others across LATICRETE and review opportunities for continuous improvement and business enhancements.
• Provide information to management as needed regarding past periods, future forecasts and associated key drivers.
• Responsible for delivering forecast accuracy and forecasting bias as per defined goals by product family.
• Act as a key participant in the monthly S&OP cycle. Responsible for holding monthly Demand Reviews and will actively participate in the monthly Executive S&OP review meetings.
• Analyzes forecast bias to identify and understand variables and root causes impacting forecasts and adjust accordingly.
• Maintain regular review process with Sales Managers and Product Managers to challenge and improve forecast accuracy.
• Develop and implement action plans for improving forecast performance.
• Ensures that the consensus forecast is loaded timely into the Demand Planning systems to enable accurate capacity requirement forecasts and forward visibility of material requirements.
• Make recommendations for improvements to work processes.
• Adhere to any health, safety, and environmental policies and procedures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification preferred (CPF, ACPF, CPIM, CSCP, etc.).
• PowerBI experience desired.
• Experience with SQL and Database administration desired.
• JD Edwards experience desired.