DEMAND PLANNER – MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION

Staff Perm; Manasquan (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Staff Perm is seeking a highly analytical Demand Planner to join our manufacturing and distribution organization in Manasquan, NJ. This role develops and maintains accurate demand forecasts, supports S&OP processes, and ensures alignment between demand, supply, and inventory strategies.

The ideal candidate has hands-on SAP experience (IBP/APO/ECC or S/4HANA), advanced Excel skills, and a proven track record in complex supply chains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, statistics, or related field.
• 3-7 years in demand or supply chain planning in manufacturing/distribution.
• Hands-on experience with SAP demand planning tools (IBP, APO DP, ECC or S/4HANA).
• Advanced Excel skills and handling large datasets.
• Experience in S&OP or integrated planning environments.
• Understanding of inventory management, production planning, and distribution networks.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and improve demand forecasts across product lines.
• Run ERP-based demand planning processes and ensure data integrity with SAP (IBP/APO/ECC or S/4HANA).
• Analyze historical data and market trends to refine forecasts.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Distribution to build consensus.
• Participate in S&OP reviews and executive presentations.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and KPIs; propose corrective actions.
• Align forecasts with capacity, lead times, and inventory targets.
• Support NPI and end-of-life planning with demand projections.
• Maintain planning parameters in ERP (safety stock, reorder points, lead times).
• Generate reports and insights to support decisions.
• Identify process improvements in demand planning workflows.

Skills

Forecasting

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Engineering/Statistics or related field

Tools

SAP IBP/APO/ECC/S4HANA

Job description

DEMAND PLANNER – MANUFACTURING & DISTRIBUTION

We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Demand Planner to join our manufacturing and distribution organization. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining accurate demand forecasts, supporting S&OP processes, and ensuring alignment between demand, supply, and inventory strategies.

The preferred candidate has hands‑on experience with a major ERP platform, SAP preferred (IBP, APO, ECC or S/4HANA) and a proven track record of working in complex supply chain environments. This position will serve as an evaluation period for permanent hire based on performance, business needs, and cultural fit.

LOCATION: Manasquan, NJ, 08736

SCHEDULE: M-F 8AM-5PM

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop, maintain, and improve demand forecasts using statistical models and business input across multiple product lines.
• Execute demand planning processes within the current ERP ensuring accuracy and integrity of planning data. Experience with SAP (IBP, APO DP, ECC or S/4HANA Demand Management) is preferred.
• Analyze historical sales data, market trends, customer inputs, promotions, and seasonality to refine forecast assumptions.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Manufacturing, and Distribution teams to build a consensus demand plan.
• Participate in S&OP initiatives including demand reviews, forecast alignment, and executive presentations.
• Monitor forecast accuracy, bias, and key supply chain KPIs; identify gaps and recommend corrective actions.
• Partner with supply chain and production teams to align forecasts with capacity, lead times, and inventory targets.
• Support new product introductions (NPI), product transitions, and end-of-life planning with demand projections.
• Maintain planning parameters (safety stock, reorder points, lead times) in ERP.
• Generate reports and insights using available tools and analytics platforms to support decision-making.
• Identify process improvements and assist in optimizing demand planning workflows and system usage.
• Ensure smooth integration of demand signals into the broader supply chain planning process.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Business, Engineering, Statistics, or related field.
• 3-7 years of demand planning or supply chain planning experience in manufacturing and/or distribution.
• Strong, hands‑on experience with enterprise ERP demand planning tools such as SAP demand planning tools (IBP, APO DP, ECC or S/4HANA).
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with large datasets.
• Experience participating in S&OP or integrated planning environments.
• Understanding inventory management, production planning, and distribution networks.