Demand Planner

CANPACK Group; Olyphant (Lackawanna County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CANPACK Group seeks a Demand Planner to lead CPUS demand planning, align forecasts with sales, marketing, and finance, and support IBP/S&OP processes. You will manage data analysis, forecasting accuracy, and scenario planning to optimize service, inventory, and capacity.

The role requires a strong knowledge of SAP IBP, Excel, and Power BI, with a focus on data-driven decision making in a fast-paced North American environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration or equivalent.
• 2-5 years of experience in demand planning or related supply chain roles.
• Required ability to collaborate with Sales, Finance, Marketing, and Operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain CPUS demand forecasts across customers, product categories, and markets.
• Lead the monthly Demand Review as part of IBP/S&OP cycles and consolidate inputs to a consensus forecast.
• Coordinate demand planning activities within S&OP/IBP frameworks and present results to stakeholders.

Skills

Forecasting

Analytics

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain/Industrial Engineering/Business Admin

Tools

SAP IBP

Excel

Power BI

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Title: Demand Planner Department: Planning and Customer Service Reports To (Title): IBP and Customer Relations Conventional Schedule

JOB PURPOSE The Demand Planner is responsible for leading the CPUS demand planning process and developing a robust, consensus-based demand plan that serves as the primary input for Supply Planning, Production Planning, Inventory Management, and the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process. The role collaborates closely with Sales, Customer Service, Finance, Marketing, Supply Planning, and Business Units to align commercial expectations with operational capabilities and financial objectives. The Demand Planner facilitates demand reviews, drives forecast accuracy improvements, identifies risks and opportunities, and ensures alignment between customer demand, capacity constraints, and business priorities. This position plays a critical role in supporting strategic decision-making by translating market intelligence, customer insights, and statistical forecasting into actionable demand plans that optimize service, inventory, and overall supply chain performance.

DUTIES AND TASKS (To be performed in full alignment with CANPACK Core Values: Respect, Safety, Teamwork, Integrity, Quality, and Innovation)

1. Develop, maintain, and continuously improve CPUS demand forecasts across customers, product categories, and markets. Lead the monthly Demand Review process as part of the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) / S&OP cycle. Consolidate commercial inputs, market intelligence, customer insights, promotional plans, innovation activities, and historical demand patterns into a consensus forecast. Monitor forecast performance through key metrics including MAPE, Bias, Attainment, and Forecast Value Add (FVA). Analyze deviations from plan and implement corrective actions to improve forecasting performance.
2. Partner with Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, Finance, Supply Planning, and Operations to ensure alignment between demand, supply, and financial plans. Facilitate discussions regarding demand assumptions, risks, opportunities, and mitigation plans. Support executive decision‑making by providing data‑driven scenario analyses and recommendations. Ensure timely communication of significant demand changes impacting capacity, inventory, and customer service.
3. Coordinate CPUS demand planning activities within the S&OP and IBP frameworks. Prepare and present demand planning results, risks, opportunities, assumptions, and recommended actions during Demand Review and Supply Review meetings. Drive adherence to planning calendar, governance standards, and demand planning processes. Support continuous enhancement of planning maturity, analytics, and decision‑making capabilities.
4. Analyze large volumes of data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and demand drivers. Develop predictive and diagnostic analyses to improve forecast quality and business understanding. Evaluate customer demand behavior, inventory implications, and service‑level impacts. Provide meaningful business insights and recommendations to support strategic and operational objectives.
5. Act as a key user and subject matter expert for SAP IBP, reporting tools, and planning systems. Support implementation and enhancement of planning tools, dashboards, and reporting capabilities. Identify opportunities to standardize, simplify, and improve demand planning processes. Participate in cross‑functional projects supporting supply chain transformation and digitalization initiatives.
6. Identify and quantify forecast risks and opportunities. Develop mitigation plans with commercial and supply chain stakeholders. Support scenario planning and sensitivity analysis to enable proactive decision‑making. Incorporate supply constraints and business priorities into the final consensus demand plan.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Indicate the minimum recruitment specification, the ideal person specification, the preferred minimum qualifications and skills required for full satisfactory job performance and to meet expectations Qualifications and Education Include any specialized education and qualifications needed to be able to do the job. Work Experience Clarify the minimum years of total work experience and other relevant work experience required to be able to perform the job

• — Bachelor's degree of Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration or equivalent undergraduate degree, with related work experience.
• — Years of experience: From 2-5 Years
• — Management experience: Not applicable

Skills Knowledge — Strong understanding of commercial, operational, and supply chain business processes. — Advanced analytical and problem‑solving capabilities. — Strong business acumen with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations. — Ability to manage large datasets and perform diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics. — Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across all organizational levels. — Strong presentation, communication, and facilitation skills. — Ability to work effectively in a cross‑functional and matrix organization. — Strong project management and organizational skills. — Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively in a fast‑paced environment. — Continuous improvement mindset with a focus on delivering measurable business value. — Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills. — Ability to drive change and challenge existing assumptions constructively. — Deep knowledge of Demand Planning, S&OP, and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes. — Understanding of Supply Planning, Inventory Management, Capacity Planning, and Customer Service processes. — Knowledge of Supply Chain Performance Metrics including MAPE, Attainment, Bias, Forecast Value Add (FVA), Service Levels, Inventory Turns, and OTIF. — Understanding of financial planning and its integration with operational planning processes. — Knowledge of forecasting methodologies, statistical models, and demand sensing techniques. — Experience with SAP IBP Demand, SAP IBP S&OP, Advanced Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office applications. — Understanding of product lifecycle management, innovation planning, and portfolio management processes. — Knowledge of supply chain optimization and inventory management concepts. — Understanding of Continuous Improvement methodologies and business process management principles.

Training (Optional) Include any specific training (both internal and external) needed to do the job.

Language Include the level of required language needed to do the job. — English C2- Proficient

WORK INDEPENDENCE / SUPERVISION LEVEL

Limited Supervision The Demand Planner operates with a high degree of autonomy and is expected to independently manage CPUS demand planning activities, forecast development, stakeholder alignment, and execution of the monthly S&OP process. The role receives broad strategic direction from the IBP and Customer Relations Manager while independently determining priorities, methodologies, analyses, and recommendations required to achieve business objectives.

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Include the communications that are within the position’s holder responsibilities. (e.g., Internally can communicate with all departments, externally can communicate with suppliers’ service providers, customers, governmental entities) The Demand Planner collaborates extensively across multiple functions and organizational levels throughout CPUS to ensure alignment between commercial demand, operational capabilities, and business objectives.

Internal Relationships.

• Sales Teams and Commercial Directors to gather market intelligence, customer forecasts, promotional plans, and growth opportunities.
• Customer Service Teams to align customer requirements, demand changes, service expectations, and exception management.
• Supply Planning and Master Planning Teams to balance demand plans against production capacity, inventory levels, and supply constraints.
• Operations and Manufacturing Teams to understand capacity limitations, operational risks, and production capabilities.
• Finance Teams to ensure alignment between demand forecasts, budget targets, financial plans, and business performance expectations.
• Marketing and Product Management Teams regarding new product launches, portfolio changes, promotional activities, and innovation pipelines.
• North American and Global Supply Chain Leadership to support strategic planning, scenario evaluation, and business decision‑making.
• Procurement and Logistics Teams to evaluate supply chain risks and demand impacts on the wider value chain.
• Data Analytics, Business Intelligence, and IT Teams to support planning systems, reporting tools, master data quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.

External Relationships.

• Customers to validate demand assumptions, promotional activities, seasonal plans, market trends, and forecast changes.
• External Supply Chain Partners, where applicable, regarding demand‑related initiatives and collaborative planning activities.
• Software and System Providers supporting planning tools, reporting platforms, and process enhancements.

The role requires strong interpersonal, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across diverse functions, cultures, and levels of the organization. The Demand Planner is expected to act as a trusted business partner, facilitating fact‑based discussions and driving alignment in support of company objectives.

DECISIONS IMPACTED BY THIS POSITION

The Demand Planner significantly influences business decisions through the development and maintenance of the CPUS demand plan and associated planning assumptions. Key decisions impacted include:

• CPUS demand forecast and customer demand assumptions.
• Inventory strategy and inventory target recommendations.
• Production and supply planning priorities based on expected demand.
• Capacity utilization and resource allocation decisions.
• Product launch, innovation, and phase‑out planning.
• Identification and mitigation of forecast risks and business opportunities.
• Demand constraint management during supply shortages.
• Service level and customer allocation recommendations.
• S&OP and Executive S&OP decision‑making through scenario analysis and recommendations.
• Strategic supply chain initiatives focused on service, cost, inventory optimization, and operational efficiency.
• Planning process improvements, governance standards, and forecasting methodologies.
• Business contingency planning and demand‑related risk management activities.

The recommendations and analyses provided by this position directly affect customer service performance, inventory investment, production efficiency, working capital, and overall business profitability.

ADDITIONAL LOCAL REQUIREMENTS/ITEMS

CPUS Business Requirements Support demand planning activities across CPUS customer groups and product categories. Understand North American market dynamics, customer buying patterns, seasonality, promotional activities, and macroeconomic trends affecting demand. Incorporate CPUS commercial strategies, market developments, and growth initiatives into demand forecasts. Ensure consistency and standardization of forecasting methodologies while accommodating US business requirements.

Regulatory and Compliance Requirements Consider US regulatory requirements, trade restrictions, import/export regulations, and other market‑specific factors that may impact demand planning assumptions. Support planning activities in compliance with company policies, corporate governance standards, and applicable US regulations. Understand the impact of North American sustainability, packaging, recycling, deposit return systems (DRS), and environmental regulations on customer demand and market behavior where applicable.

CPUS Collaboration Collaborate with CPUS Sales, Customer Service, Supply Planning, Finance, and Operations teams across business units. Facilitate alignment between US market requirements and North American supply chain objectives. Support North American and global S&OP governance standards and planning processes.

North American Leadership Expectations Serve as a CPUS subject matter expert for demand planning and forecasting processes. Act as a change agent by promoting data‑driven decision‑making and cross‑functional collaboration. Support coaching, training, and capability development initiatives within the planning community. Contribute to the continuous advancement of North American planning maturity, forecast accuracy, and business performance.

CANPACK GROUP

CANPACK Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or not related to job requirements, unless such distinction is required by law. At CANPACK Group, our success is based on employees' success. Our ability to grow and to be the supplier of choice for our clients is based on building the strongest team possible. If you are driven by bold and ambitious goal you have what it takes to become a successful member of the CANPACK team! CANPACK has a strong foundation built on close customer relationships, quality excellence and a unique culture and values. Founded 30 years ago, CANPACK has grown to become one of the leading global players on the international packaging market. We are dedicated to providing our clients with environmentally friendly, modern packaging solutions on time and wherever needed and are looking for forward‑thinking, flexible and engaged people to develop with us as we pursue our growth strategy. CANPACK produces a wide range of aluminum beverage cans, glass bottles, metal closures and containers for food and chemical industries. We operate 29 production sites in 19 countries around the world and sell our products to over 100. With sustainability and corporate social responsibility being an important part of the Groups DNA, CANPACK actively supports initiatives dedicated to environmental protection and local communities. Visit CANPACK website to learn more.