Demand Planner

Lactalis USA; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off from day one

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Lactalis American Group in Buffalo, NY is seeking a Demand Planner to lead short-, medium-, and long-range demand forecasting for assigned product lines. You will analyze demand, run forecasting software, and align market insights with the master production schedule.

Key duties include improving the S&OP-driven forecasting process, CDP alignment with Commercial and Finance, and data analysis from multiple sources. Hybrid work with opportunities to influence inventory deployment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Majors in Supply Chain, Finance, or Statistics is preferred.
• 2+ years of Demand Planning experience is preferred.
• Experience in the Food Industry, Relative Supply Chain, or Financial Analysis preferred.

Responsibilities

• Continuously improve the sales forecasting process within the S&OP process.
• Drive the CDP process with Commercial and Finance teams to align the financial forecast with the Consensus Demand Plan.
• Obtain and analyze data from the industry, the Sales force, Central Planning, and the Customer Service Department for inclusion into the rolling short-term and long-term demand forecast.
• Regularly validate forecast splits down to the Item/D.C./week level and adjust short-term DC forecasts to support inventory deployment.
• Publish CDP reports and forecast accuracy metrics, explain variances, and highlight risk areas for non-technical audiences.
• Analyze buying patterns of key customers and predict reactions to incentives; forecast for new items not yet introduced.
• Work with Demand Planning manager on projects and drive change with new processes.
• Communicate with Central Supply Planners to identify challenges and bottlenecks.
• Perform ongoing analysis of factors affecting forecasts and develop timely forecasts for communication.
• Provide training to new and associate demand planners.

Skills

Forecasting accuracy

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree preferred

Majors in Supply Chain, Finance, or Statistics preferred

Tools

FuturMaster

Kinaxis

Stratum

AS/400

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Ready for more than just a job? Build a career with purpose.

At Lactalis in the USA, we're committed to providing meaningful opportunities for our people to learn, grow, and thrive-whether you're just starting your journey with us or looking to take the next step in your career. From day one, we offer the tools and support to help you succeed.

As the world leader in dairy, Lactalis is a family‑owned company with over 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals across the globe. Each day, we’re proud to produce award‑winning dairy products that bring people together.

In the US, we proudly offer an unrivaled house of beloved brands, including Galbani Italian cheeses and ricotta, President specialty cheeses and butters, Kraft natural and grated cheeses, Breakstone's cottage cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond cheddar, and Parmalat milk. Our yogurt portfolio includes siggi's, Stonyfield Organic, Brown Cow, Oui, Yoplait, Go-Gurt, :ratio, Green Mountain Creamery, and Mountain High, along with a growing family of ethnic favorites like Karoun, Gopi, and Arz.

At Lactalis, we live by our core values-Ambition, Engagement, and Simplicity. We foster a workplace where innovation thrives, diverse perspectives are celebrated, and everyone's unique background and ideas are valued.

Even if you don't meet every qualification, we want to hear about your PASSION, your STORY, and how your EXPERTISE can help us shape the future of dairy.

From your PASSION to ours

Lactalis American Group, part of the Lactalis family of companies, is currently hiring a Demand Planner based in Buffalo, NY.

As a Demand Planner, the role will be responsible for the short, medium, and long-range demand forecasting of assigned product lines and/or channels of business. Will analyze demand and use forecasting software to generate resource and D.C. level forecasts. Must have a thorough understanding of the linkages between the market, various distribution channels, the sales forecast, the strategic plan, and the master production schedule.

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Continuously improve the sales forecasting process within the S&OP process.
• Drive the CDP process with Commercial and Finance teams to align the financial forecast with the Consensus Demand Plan. Any significant variances need to be analyzed for clarity.
• Obtain and analyze data from the industry, the Sales force, Central Planning, and the Customer Service Department for inclusion into the rolling short-term and long-term demand forecast.
• Regularly validate forecast splits down to the Item/D.C./week level. Adjust the short-term D.C. week forecasts as necessary to support effective deployment of inventory.
• Produce and publish CDP reports and forecast accuracy metrics. Explain variances, note uncertainty, and highlight risk areas. Ensure clear presentational skills for audiences not familiar with department tools and verbiage.
• Analyze buying patterns of key customers and predict how they will react to incentives. Analyze market response to new products and use this to develop forecasts for new items not yet introduced.
• Work directly with Demand Planning manager on projects, and drive change with implementing new processes when applicable.
• Regularly communicate with Central Supply Planner(s) to identify any challenges and/or bottlenecks.
• Perform ongoing analysis of factors affecting forecasts and develop forecasts in a timely manner for communication.
• Provide any necessary training to new demand planners or associate demand planners.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Travel may be required occasionally.
• Extended hours may be necessary depending on the project needs.
• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone or, and / or allowance(s) may be provided.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential duties and responsibilities.
• This position requires physical presence in the office, in accordance with the guidelines of the Hybrid Work Policy.
• Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and well-being of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company's overall performance and success.

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

• Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Majors in Supply Chain, Finance, or Statistics is preferred.

Experience

• 2+ years of Demand Planning experience is preferred.
• Experience in the Food Industry, Relative Supply Chain, or Financial Analysis preferred.

Skills, Specific Knowledge and Certifications

• The following certifications are a plus for this role: APICS or CPIM.
• Ability to learn and use FuturMaster, Kinaxis, Stratum, and AS/400.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially Power BI, Microsoft Excel and ability to work with Pivot Tables.
• Strong communication skills to effectively work with cross functional teams in a clear and concise format for all pertinent audiences.

Requirements

At Lactalis, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Program with a variety of affordable benefits and coverage options. We support insurance costs significantly, contribute generously to retirement plans, and offer Paid Time Off from day one. We are committed to your professional growth, providing training and development opportunities, including Education Reimbursement. Join us and grow your career.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities. Further, any division of the Company that is an Affimative Action Employer will comply with all related legal obligations.

Salary Description

$68,000-$70,000