Demand Planning Analyst

Graphic Packaging International; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Graphic Packaging International, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, is seeking a Demand Planning Analyst for a hybrid role based at our Atlanta headquarters. You will analyze demand from multiple sources and craft a rolling 24-month forecast to support production and service excellence.

You will collaborate with capacity planning, lead forecasting accuracy initiatives, and support the S&OP leadership with KPI-focused insights.

Qualifications

• Minimum four-year degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or related field of study.
• 3+ years direct experience in a demand planning role within a manufacturing environment, packaging industry preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify forecast variances, perform root cause analysis and drive corrective actions.
• Proficiency with forecasting tools, ERP systems, and advanced Excel for demand analysis and reporting.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to present data to senior leadership and C-suite.

Responsibilities

• Direct forecasting and own the Americas Demand Planning model with a rolling 24-month outlook.
• Update customer demand requirements at the die level and improve S&OP modeling for forecast accuracy.
• Collaborate with capacity planning to align plants/assets and manage variance.
• Analyze market factors, promotions, and market intelligence to refine forecasts.
• Lead monthly forecast accuracy reviews (MAPE) and present root causes and actions.

Skills

Organizational skills

Documentation

Communication

Excel

PowerPoint

Six Sigma/Lean

Composure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Tools

Forecasting tools

ERP systems

Job description

This is a hybrid position requiring in-office presence Tuesday - Thursday and remote flexiblity on Mondays and Fridays.

At Graphic Packaging International, we produce the paper cup that held your coffee this morning, the basket that transported those bottles of craft beer you enjoyed last weekend, and the microwave tray that heated your gourmet meal last night. We’re one of the largest manufacturers of paperboard and paper-based packaging for some of the world’s most recognized brands of food, beverage, foodservice, household, personal care and pet products. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, we are collaborative, diverse, innovative individuals who create inspired packaging while giving back to our communities.

With over 25,000 employees working in more than 130 locations worldwide, we strive to be environmentally responsible in our industry and in the communities where we operate. We are committed to workplace diversity and offer compensation and benefits programs that are among the industry’s best to reward the talented people who make our company successful.

If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, we’d love to hear from you.

A World of Difference. Made Possible.

Job Summary

The Demand Planning Analyst analyzes reported demand from several sources internal & external, including but not limited to statistical forecasts, market information, customer forecasts, historical trends and known new and lost business. This role will be responsible for crafting a demand plan that effectively characterizes future customer demand allowing for immediate production success, timely production to service customer needs, and limiting cost of variance. This position will be located in our Graphic Packaging headquarters office in Atlanta, GA.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Include but are not limited to the following.

• Direct forecasting
  • Owns the Americas Demand Planning model. Produces a rolling 24-month demand outlook.
  • Updates customer demand requirements at the die level, identifies year over year changes in demand related to market, new or lost business, specification changes and product obsolescence. Continually enhances S&OP modeling to improve forecast accuracy.
  • Works closely with capacity planning team to understand constrained plants/assets and focus variance efforts on specified plants/assets.
  • Understands promotional activities and other sales tactics that impact the forecast. Incorporates market intelligence and develops statistical models that increase forecast accuracy. Provides analysis that aids in the decision-making process.
  • Responsible for forecast accuracy and bias on a monthly basis (MAPE). Determines and presents root causes of variances and targets improvement opportunities and takes action within the overall process.
  • Address demand-related issues in a timely and effective manner
  • Propose and implement solutions to improve demand forecast accuracy, articulate root cause and results and prevention going forward.
• Ability to define and demonstrate continuous improvement to meet targets and KPIs
  • Set bench marks and metrics to achieve KPIs, provide evaluation and steps forward to improve current levels.
  • Participate in the development of integrated budgets; responsible for the alignment of demand plans, master schedules, factory schedules, and purchasing programs.
• Supporting partner to the S&OP leadership team and business unit leadership teams
  • Responsible for the development of the monthly S&OP Leadership package outlining key drivers within Americas demand forecast, potential risks to forecast, market assumptions, new business expectations and overall summaries of major account and regional sales performance.
  • Able to connect demand planning metrics to business results (EBITDA, inventory, OTIF). Partners with business unit leadership to positively impact business results through improved customer demand forecasts.
  • Contributes to the Demand Planning Leadership Consensus in order to align all parties with the monthly demand plan. Provide analysis, steps forward and countermeasures and risks to the leadership team before finalizing the forecast.
  • Participates and takes action on analyses of the monthly demand plan consensus meetings between Sales, Commercial Management, Business Development, Directors of Operations, Supply Planning and Customer Service. Quantifies feedback to support growth and strategic objectives.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Minimum four-year degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or related field of study required.
• 3+ years direct experience in a demand planning role within a manufacturing environment, packaging industry experience preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify forecast variances, perform root cause analysis and drive corrective actions.
• Proficiency with forecasting tools, ERP systems, and advanced Excel for demand analysis and reporting.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to present complex demand, forecast, and business performance data to senior leadership and C-suite stakeholders.

Skills

• Effective organizational and multi-tasking skills while dealing with multiple inputs.
• Ability to prepare documents and information in a clear concise manner that supports decision making based on critical thinking, analysis, and support by data.
• Effective business communication skills at all levels to include facilitation, problem solving and persistent follow up.
• Advanced skill level using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Prior Six Sigma/Lean training preferred.
• Ability to maintain composure.

Disclaimer

The candidate must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without a reasonable accommodation. Graphic Packaging retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Career Level

Beginner, some experience

Competencies

• Business Acumen
• Curiosity
• Interpersonal Skills
• Influence Skills
• Self-Starter
• Negotiation Skills
• Organization Skills
• Results Oriented

Pay Range

$73,100.00 - $97,400.00

Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email [e-mail].