Lead Sales and Operations Planning

Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 108,000 - 162,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus programs

Health insurance

401k

Onsite fitness centers

Employee stores

Employee discounts

Job summary

Harley-Davidson Motor Company in Juneau, WI is seeking a Lead Sales & Operations Planning professional to own demand forecasting for Parts & Accessories, develop monthly forecasts, and translate market inputs into actionable plans that drive inventory availability and financial performance.

This role requires strong analytics, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence without authority, leading monthly S&OP reviews and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance forecasting

Qualifications

• 5+ years in demand planning, forecasting, inventory management or S&OP.
• Advanced forecasting techniques knowledge and Excel skills.
• Experience with ERP and planning systems (SAP, Kinaxis, Blue Yonder, o9, Anaplan or similar).
• Bachelor's degree preferred in related field; APICS certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support forecasting and planning activities for new product introductions and transitions.
• Develop and maintain monthly demand forecasts for Parts & Accessories product categories.
• Analyze historical sales trends, seasonality, promotions and market dynamics to improve forecast quality.
• Monitor forecast accuracy, forecast bias, and demand variability, recommending actions.
• Identify forecast risks/opportunities and communicate impacts to stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure demand plans reflect conditions without direct authority.
• Lead category-level demand reviews to support inventory and replenishment strategies.
• Balance inventory and service levels with Supply Planning while aligning with financial expectations.
• Manage product lifecycle planning with phase-ins/outs and support major launches.
• Drive forecasting process improvements and share best practices across the organization.

Skills

Forecasting

Excel advanced

S&OP

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

SAP

Kinaxis

Blue Yonder

o9

Anaplan

Just Enough

Job description

Auto req ID: 62373 Title:Lead Sales and Operations Planning Job Function:Materials and Procurement Location:JUNEAU Workplace Category: Onsite Company:Harley-Davidson Motor Company Full or Part-Time:Full Time Shift:SHIFT1

In 1903, out of a small shed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, four young men lit a cultural wildfire that would grow and spread across geographies and generations. Their innovation and imagination for what was possible on two wheels sparked a transportation revolution that would make Harley-Davidson the most recognizable motorcycle brand in the world. Today, we continue to define motorcycle culture, evoking soul-stirring emotion reflected in every product and experience we deliver - like we have for well over a century and will for generations to come. Are you ready to ride with us?

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, founded in a humble Milwaukee backyard shed in 1903, still calls the city home. Today, its Corporate Campus includes a 4.8-acre public park-a welcoming greenspace open to all. Join our team as aLead Sales and Operations Planning.

Job Summary

The Lead Sales & Operations Planning role serves as a key demand planning subject matter expert for the Parts & Accessories (P&A) business. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining demand forecasts, analyzing business trends, and partnering with cross-functional teams to support the monthly S&OP process.

The role translates sales, marketing, dealer, and product management inputs into actionable demand plans while identifying risks and opportunities that impact inventory, service, and financial performance. The position requires strong analytical capabilities, business acumen, and the ability to effectively influence stakeholders across multiple functions.

This role plays a critical part in supporting product availability, improving forecast accuracy, and enabling profitable growth across aftermarket Parts & Accessories.

Job Responsibilities

• Support forecasting and planning activities related to new product introductions and product transitions.
• Develop and maintain monthly demand forecasts for assigned Parts & Accessories product categories.
• Analyze historical sales trends, seasonality, promotional activity, product lifecycles, and market dynamics to improve forecast quality.
• Monitor forecast accuracy, forecast bias, and demand variability metrics and recommend corrective actions where needed.
• Identify forecast risks and opportunities and communicate potential impacts to business stakeholders.
• Partner closely with business functions to ensure demand plans reflect current conditions and future opportunities while driving cross-functional alignment and collaboration without direct authority.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while applying strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills to support business objectives and decision-making.
• Lead category-level demand reviews as part of the monthly S&OP process, providing insights and recommendations to support inventory and replenishment strategies.
• Partner with Supply Planning to balance inventory, service levels, and operational objectives while ensuring alignment between demand forecasts, inventory plans, and financial expectations.
• Manage product lifecycle planning by monitoring product phase-ins and phase-outs to identify inventory risks and providing analytical support for major product launches, seasonal programs, and strategic initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance forecasting methodologies, reporting tools, and planning processes; supporting planning system enhancements; sharing best practices; and serving as a resource and mentor within the Demand Planning organization.

Education Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent Required

Education and Experience Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, inventory management, supply chain planning, or Sales & Operations Planning.
• Strong understanding of forecasting techniques and demand planning principles.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience working with ERP and planning systems (SAP, SO99+, Kinaxis, Blue Yonder, o9, Anaplan, Just Enough, or similar platforms).

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Analytics, Operations, or a related field.
• APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP, or related certification).
• Experience within powersports, automotive, aftermarket parts, consumer products, retail, or durable goods industries.
• Experience supporting Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) or Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes.
• Experience with business intelligence and reporting tools such as Power BI, Fabric, Tableau, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of dealer distribution networks and seasonal inventory planning.

The pay range shown represents the national average pay range for this role. Your pay may be more or less than the stated range and is dependent on your geographic location and level of experience.

We offer an inclusive compensation package for all full-time salaried employees including, but not limited to, annual bonus programs, health insurance benefits, a 401k program, onsite fitness centers and employee stores, employee discounts on products and accessories, and more. Learn more about Harley-Davidson here.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Direct Reports: No

Travel Required: 0 - 10%

Pay Range:$108,000 - $161,900

Visa Sponsorship: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or visa transfer

Relocation: This position is eligible for domestic relocation assistance (within posted country)