Demand Planner

Canada Bread - Bimbo; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bakery company in Toronto is seeking a Demand Planner to drive strategic forecasting across a dynamic SKU portfolio. You will analyze demand drivers, optimize forecasting tools, and ensure alignment with business objectives. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in FMCG planning, excels in collaboration, and is proficient in Oracle Cloud and Excel. Join us to contribute to a company that values innovation and personal growth.

Benefits

Training and development opportunities

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Recognition as a top workplace

Qualifications

• 5+ years working as a Demand Planner or Sales Planning Analyst in FMCG / CPG Industries.
• Experience working with large retail customers and trade promotion planning.
• Familiarity with time-series methods and basic programming to analyze datasets.

Responsibilities

• Analyze baseline volumes and develop rolling forecasts.
• Own end-to-end demand forecasts partnering with Sales.
• Lead cross-functional demand review sessions to secure stakeholder buy-in.

Skills

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

Oracle Cloud

Microsoft Excel

SQL

Job description

About Us

Bimbo Canada is a leading producer and distributor of packaged fresh bread, bakery products and snacks. We produce and distribute more than 1,000 products across 18 brands Canadians know and trust. In business for more than 110 years, the company operates 15 bakeries and employs approximately 4,000 associates across Canada. Bimbo Canada creates value by being at the forefront of manufacturing and service delivery innovation in the baking industry through the continued improvement and refinement of its supply chain network while serving major grocery chains, retail outlets and foodservice operations across Canada. We’re more than just a bakery — we’re a family dedicated to baking delicious moments for millions. Our beliefs are the foundation of our success, and we’re looking for people who share our commitment to excellence.

Position Summary

We are seeking a (highly analytical and commercially astute) Demand Planner to drive strategic forecasting and shape our demand planning process and capabilities across a dynamic and growing SKU portfolio. This role is pivotal to our business, operating at the intersection of Sales, Supply Chain, and Finance to align demand signals with business objectives and market realities. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in FMCG / CPG planning environments, be highly collaborative, and excited to influence cross-functional teams, including senior leadership, through data and insights. This is a hands-on, highly visible role, ideal for an analytical self-starter who thrives on driving cross-functional alignment and influencing business outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Master Business Dynamics: Analyze baseline volumes, promotional lift effects, seasonality patterns, and market trends to build a deep understanding of demand drivers. Develop and maintain rolling forecasts using statistical models, market intelligence, and input from commercial teams.
• Drive Multi-Level Forecasting: Own end-to-end demand forecasts—SKU, category, and regional—partnering with Sales Account Managers and Field Sales to align on targets and assumptions.
• Optimize Forecasting Tools: Ensure Oracle Cloud and Excel inputs are accurate and up to date; deliver clear, actionable outputs to Customer Business Teams and Supply Planning.
• Facilitate Consensus & Alignment: Lead cross-functional demand review sessions, synthesize divergent views, and secure stakeholder buy-in—including senior leadership—to a unified forecast. This includes Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Leverage Data & Insights: Proactively surface and interpret key trends, statistical analyses, and KPIs to inform decisions and identify opportunities for improvement. Deep understanding of key demand drivers: baseline volume, promotional lift, seasonality, new product introductions, and competitive dynamics. Ability to translate sales targets, marketing plans, and external market signals into actionable demand plans.
• Steer S&OP Excellence: Own the Sales & Operations Planning process end-to-end—from data collection and roll-up to presentation of final plans and follow-up on action items.
• Elevate Performance Metrics: Continuously monitor Forecast Accuracy and Bias, diagnose root causes of variance, and implement targeted initiatives to exceed KPI goals.
• Champion Cross-Functional Projects: Contribute expertise to strategic initiatives—new product launches, system optimizations, and process enhancements—to advance company objectives through collaboration. Develop KPIs and dashboards to monitor forecast performance, highlight gaps, and drive continuous improvement.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Business Analytics, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Advanced coursework or certification (e.g., APICS CPIM / CSCP, ISE’s Demand Planning certification) is a plus.
• 5+ years working as a Demand Planner or Sales Planning Analyst in FMCG / CPG Industries.
• Experience working with large retail customers, trade promotion planning, and e-commerce is a plus.
• Exposure to end-to-end S&OP / IBP cycles, including demand reviews, supply reviews, and executive business reviews.
• Familiarity with time-series methods (moving averages, regression, causal modeling) and basic programming (SQL, Python / R) to manipulate and analyze large datasets.
• Performance driven with a strong bias for action, well organized and able to prioritize effectively.
• Detail oriented, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Oracle Cloud knowledge is a plus.
• Worked effectively on a virtual team environment.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with a proven ability to drive alignment across commercial and operational teams.
• The working language of this position is English; knowledge of French is preferred.

Growth Opportunities

Bimbo Canada is committed to your personal and professional growth. We offer training, development, and advancement opportunities within our organization.

Innovation

Be part of a company that constantly innovates in the food industry. Your work will contribute to creating delicious products loved by millions.

The Bimbo Way

We believe in the special dignity and value of the human person. We believe that as people we form one community and we believe that this community is focused on getting results. We do this by competing and winning in the market with superior quality in everything we do. We believe in being sharp operators; that is, being very, very good at what we do, and always acting with integrity so that as a company we can transcend and endure for a very long time. That’s the Bimbo Way.

We are incredibly proud of our distinction as one of Canada’s Most Admired Cultures by Waterstone Human Capital. This recognition is a reflection of how strong, people-first culture drives exceptional performance and sets us apart as industry leaders. Bimbo Canada was also named one of the 2024 Best Places to Work by Canadian HR Reporter (CHRR). This honour recognizes our commitment to creating an outstanding workplace for our associates.

If you are ready to join a company that values its associates and bakes delicious moments every day, apply today!

Your journey with Bimbo Canada starts here. We thank all interested applicants, but only those selected will be contacted. Please note all offers of employment at Bimbo Canada (Formerly Canada Bread Company Limited) are conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-hire background check (including but not limited to criminal history, reference checks, credit and / or physical demands checks) as appropriate for the role and as permitted by law.

Bimbo Canada is an equal opportunity employer that is dedicated to building a diverse workplace that promotes diversity, equity and belonging in the workplace, and encourages applications from qualified people of all genders, visible minorities and persons with disabilities. We welcome applications from all interested individuals; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.