Demand Planning Lead - S&OP & Forecasting

Ferrara Candy Co.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 114,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Job summary

Ferrara Candy Co. in Chicago is seeking a Sr. Manager, Demand Planning to lead the Demand Planning team and drive S&OP inputs across product categories and channels.

You will develop monthly and weekly forecasts, partner with marketing, sales and project managers to support new product launches, and ensure forecasts translate into actionable supply plans to optimize inventory and service levels.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in business, statistics, mathematics, economics, supply chain management or similar field required.
• 5+ years’ experience in supply chain / demand planning or related field including 3+ years managing direct reports and 3+ years of demand forecasting experience.
• Experience with continual process improvement methods.
• Solid experience in presenting ideas and concepts to varying seniority levels within an organization.
• Experience in the industry or in a CPG environment is required.
• Proven track record of tangible impact to top/bottom line.

Responsibilities

• Leads the Demand Planning team in the creation and maintenance of monthly/weekly, statistical and adjusted demand plans across all product categories and channels.
• As a working Manager, develops monthly/weekly forecasts for specific product(s)/customer(s)/channel(s) as assigned.
• Partners with marketing, sales and project managers to generate new product initiative forecasts and to ensure product is available and ready to support new product launches.
• Owns the demand alignment process (working with sales and marketing). Presents the S&OP forecast in the demand meeting for the assigned business unit, including an overview of key assumptions, risks and opportunities to that forecast.
• Leads the generation of demand side inputs of the annual planning process.
• Partners with business unit supply planning manager/team to assure forecasts can be translated into actionable supply chain plans that optimize inventory and maximize customer service.
• Understand and analyze key business drivers (point-of-sale data, market share, product data, inventory requirements, competitive activity) and drive improvement in the forecasting process with the demand team.
• Work closely with sales and category management to understand relationship between trade spending and volume.
• Manage root cause process and lead plans to drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy.
• Ensure best practices related to monthly S&OP and weekly demand planning are being followed throughout the planning process and drives continuous improvements in the S&OP process.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with marketing, sales and other functional teams and utilize those relationships to enhance business performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Forecasting analytics

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional partnerships

Leadership

Education

BS/BA in business or related field

Tools

Process improvement methods

Job description

Ferrara Candy Co. in Chicago is seeking a Sr. Manager, Demand Planning to lead the Demand Planning team and drive S&OP inputs across product categories and channels.

You will develop monthly and weekly forecasts, partner with marketing, sales and project managers to support new product launches, and ensure forecasts translate into actionable supply plans to optimize inventory and service levels.