Demand Planner

AFL; South Carolina; On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid in-office schedule

401K match

Tuition reimbursement

Excellent medical, dental, vision, and

Life insurance

Job summary

AFL, a leader in fiber optic cable and connectivity, seeks a Demand Planner to drive forecast accuracy and demand planning excellence. You will coordinate the monthly Demand Review, develop forecasting models, and collaborate with sales, marketing, and global planning to deliver reliable projections.

Ideal candidates bring 5–7 years of planning experience, with expertise in SAP APO/Oracle Demantra/JDA, Salesforce integration, and advanced analytics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; MBA preferred.
• 5-7 years in demand planning or related manufacturing roles.
• CPIM or APICS certification preferred.
• Proven ability to build and lead a high-performance demand team.
• Strong track record of improving forecast accuracy and inventory performance.
• Experience with SAP APO, Oracle Demantra, or JDA.
• Proficiency with Salesforce CRM and its integration with demand planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead the demand planning process within the S&OP framework, coordinating the monthly Demand Review to align on the 24-month forecast.
• Develop and maintain statistical forecasting models for all product lines to support Latest Estimates, Operating Plans, and Financial projections.
• Collaborate with Customer Operations Analyst to maintain the demand funnel and ensure Salesforce data accuracy.
• Coordinate with Global Planning to communicate forecast, commercial drivers, risks, and questions.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing to incorporate promotions and market intelligence into forecasts.
• Analyze market trends, seasonality, and historical data to improve forecast accuracy.
• Facilitate consensus meetings, resolve conflicts across functions, and manage the demand planning process.
• Provide regular reporting on demand planning metrics to senior management; identify risks and drive improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Detail-oriented

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

MBA preferred

CPIM/APICS certification preferred

Tools

SAS

R

Python

Salesforce CRM

Tableau

Power BI

Excel (Advanced)

Job description

AFL manufactures industry-leading fiber optic cable, connectivity and accessories and provides engineering and installation services for some of the largest telecom customers in the world. Our company was founded in 1984 with a single fiber optic cable and today, we manufacture thousands of products, generate an excess of $5B in revenue, and employ approximately 12,000 associates worldwide. At AFL, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset. We hire and train each individual, investing in them to ensure success in their careers. With a commitment to professional development and growth, let us connect you to your next career opportunity.

What We Offer:

• A hybrid in office schedule for qualifying employees
• Flexible time off policy
• 401K Company match (up to 4% - dollar for dollar)
• Professional development, training, and tuition reimbursement programs
• Excellent medical, dental, vision, and life insurance policy options
• Opportunities for career advancement with an industry leading company!

Job Summary

Demand Planners are responsible for supporting the demand planning process within the S&OP framework, culminating in the coordination and execution of the monthly Demand Review meeting to gain agreement on the latest 24-month rolling forecast. If the organization cannot reach consensus, recommends final decision.

• Achieve 95% forecast accuracy at the Finished Good (FG) level on a rolling 3-month basis
• Reduce forecast bias to +/- 2% across all product categories
• Ensure 100% compliance with data entry standards in Salesforce
• Maintain a 98% accuracy rate in the demand funnel

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the demand planning process within the S&OP framework, culminating in the coordination and execution of the monthly Demand Review meeting to gain agreement on the latest 24-month rolling forecast. If the organization cannot reach consensus, recommends final decision.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of statistical forecasting models for all product lines in $/units which become the basis for Latest Estimates, Operating Plans, and Financial projections.
• Collaborate with the Customer Operations Analyst in maintaining the demand funnel and ensuring data accuracy in Salesforce
• Work closely with the Global Planning function to communicate forecast, commercial drives, risks and resolves any questions regarding the demand forecast data.
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to incorporate promotional activities and market intelligence into demand forecasts
• Analyze market trends, seasonality, and historical data to identify patterns and improve forecast accuracy
• Manage the consensus demand planning process, facilitating meetings and resolving conflicts between different functional areas
• Continuously monitor forecast accuracy and bias, implementing corrective actions as needed
• Provide regular reporting on key demand planning metrics to senior management
• Identify and manage risks related to demand volatility
• Drive continuous improvement in demand planning processes and systems
• Mentor and develop the Demand Analyst(s), ensuring their growth and performance

Decision Rights

• Forecast Approval:
  • Approval authority and accountabilityfor demand forecasts before they are presented to senior management or incorporated into the S&OP process.
• Process Changes:
  • Can implement changes to the demand planning process within the team.
• Technology and Tools:
  • Recommends new demand planning technologies or tools for approval by VP Supply Chain.
• Stakeholder Management:
  • Decides how to manage relationships with key stakeholders, including which meetings to attend and how to present demand planning insights.
• Advanced proficiency in statistical forecasting techniques and software (e.g., SAS, R, Python)
• Strong understanding of supply chain management principles and S&OP processes
• Expertise in inventory management and optimization techniques
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, macros, and VBA
• Knowledge of ERP systems and their integration with demand planning tools
• Proficiency in Salesforce CRM and its reporting capabilities
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and presentation abilities
• Leadership and team management skills
• Ability to mentor and develop direct reports
• Strong influencing skills to drive cross-functional collaboration
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy
• Adaptability and willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment
• Strategic thinking and ability to see the big picture

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Statistics, Engineering, or related field; MBA preferred
• Minimum 5-7 years of experience in demand planning or related roles within manufacturing organizations, including at least 5 years in a manufacturing or supply chain role
• Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) or other relevant professional certifications (e.g., APICS) preferred
• Demonstrated experience in building and leading a high-performance demand team with proven track record of developing team members
• Strong track record of improving forecast accuracy and inventory performance
• Experience with leading demand planning software (e.g., SAP APO, Oracle Demantra, JDA)
• Proficiency in Salesforce CRM and its integration with demand planning processes

Working Conditions

• Normal office and manufacturing facility environment. Some travel may be required, but not frequent (<15%).

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.