Director, Demand Forecasting and Planning

Confidential; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading distribution company is seeking a Director of Demand Forecasting & Planning to lead the demand planning processes. This role requires deep expertise in demand forecasting, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and the capability to manage key performance indicators effectively. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in supply chain management, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in various forecasting tools. This position offers a dynamic work environment focused on continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in demand planning or supply chain management.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role within a complex distribution environment.
• Strong Excel and data modeling capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of demand planning processes.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and other teams to balance service levels and profitability.
• Track and report key demand planning KPIs.

Skills

Forecasting tools proficiency

Strong analytical skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

MBA or advanced degree

Tools

Oracle

SAP IBP

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

The Director of Demand Forecasting & Planning leads the development, management, and continuous improvement of the demand planning and forecasting processes across the organization. This role ensures that customer demand is accurately projected, aligned with sales and operations plans, and translatable into actionable inventory and supply strategies.

This individual will work closely with Sales, Marketing, Supply Planning, Procurement, DC & Branch Operations, Transportation, and Finance teams to balance service levels, working capital, and profitability objectives while supporting a high-volume, SKU-intensive distribution network.

Key Responsibilities

Demand Forecasting

• Develop, own, and refine the company’s demand forecasting models for all products across regional distribution centers and the respective branch networks.
• Incorporate sales trends, market trends, market research, seasonality, promotions, and model changes into forecasts.
• Leverage advanced statistical methods and AI/ML-based forecasting tools to improve forecast accuracy.
• Collaborate with Category Management and Sales to align forecasts with product introductions, price changes, and regional market shifts.
• Own the demand component of the SIOP process, ensuring alignment between demand forecasts, supply plans, and financial objectives.
• Facilitate monthly cross-functional consensus meetings with Sales, Operations, Supply Planning, and Finance.
• Provide scenario and sensitivity analyses to support business decisions (e.g., demand surges, supplier disruptions, or economic shifts).

Analytics & Performance Measurement

• Track and report key demand planning KPIs (forecast accuracy, bias, service level, inventory turns, and days of supply).
• Identify root causes of forecast errors and lead corrective action initiatives.
• Partner with IT and data analytics teams to enhance demand planning tools, dashboards, and data integrity.
• Build and lead a team of demand planners and analysts.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, analytical rigor, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Partner with SI logistics and procurement to optimize replenishment and minimize obsolescence.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Economics, Engineering, or related field (MBA or advanced degree preferred).
• 10+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain management.
• Minimum 5 years in a leadership role within a complex distribution environment.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with forecasting tools (e.g., Oracle, SAP IBP, Blue Yonder, Kinaxis, NetSuite Demand Planning, or similar).
• Strong Excel and data modeling capability; Power BI or Tableau experience a plus.
• Familiarity with ERP and WMS systems.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and communication abilities.
• Proven success leading cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to balance service levels with inventory and cost efficiency.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Inventory Turnover & Days of Supply
• Service Level / Fill Rate
• On-Time and In-Full (OTIF) Delivery Support