Manager of Demand Planning

Mars Incorporated in; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 87,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with a company match

Paid vacation

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Paid short-term disability

Paid life insurance

Pet Insurance Discounts

Wellness Benefits and Discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Nature’s Bakery is seeking a Manager of Demand Planning to lead a best-in-class demand planning function, driving forecast accuracy and service levels across the organization. The role requires strong cross-functional leadership and deep analytical capability to align sales, marketing, finance, and operations.

The incumbent will manage forecasting, inventory management, and S&OP workflows, translating market dynamics into reliable demand signals while supporting new product launches and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, science, or engineering; Master’s preferred.
• 5+ years in global or multi-plant consumer goods supply chain.
• Experience in forecast accuracy, inventory management, and collaborative planning.
• ERP and APS experience, especially Blue Yonder and Kinaxis.
• Up to 20% travel.

Responsibilities

• Own demand planning process leadership with forecast accuracy targets.
• Drive demand consensus reviews and data-driven insights.
• Coordinate with supply planning and execution teams for handoffs.
• Provide S&OP inputs at account/channel and SKU levels.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and customers on forecasting processes.
• Deliver account-level insights and opportunities.

Skills

Forecasting

Demand planning

Inventory management

Collaborative planning

Data analysis

Education

B.S./B.A. in supply chain management or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Blue Yonder

Kinaxis

ERP systems

Job description

We are Nature’s Bakery, one of the fastest growing snack brands in the category and have recently joined KIND, a healthy snacking leader, and the Mars family of companies, to accelerate the growth of our healthier snacking platform. We have a bright future ahead of us. Come bake with us and create a world of snacking that is both good, and good for you.

SUMMARY

The Manager of Demand Planning is the strategic and operational leader responsible for building and executing a best-in-class demand planning function. This role is critical in driving forecast accuracy, improving customer service levels, and enabling efficient inventory and supply chain execution.

The Manager will oversee all aspects of the demand planning process, including statistical forecasting, sales collaboration, and integration with the S&OP process (Steps 2 and 3). The role requires strong cross-functional leadership and deep analytical capability.

This position is responsible for creating a reliable and unbiased demand signal across time horizons, identifying and quantifying risks and opportunities, and ensuring alignment across sales, marketing, finance, and operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong command of forecasting tools, planning systems, and customer and market dynamics that drive demand.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Lead ownership of the demand planning process for Nature’s Bakery, with accountability for forecast accuracy and bias targets.
• Serve as process owner for driving disciplined and structured demand consensus reviews.
• Manage all forecast handoffs and alignment with supply planning and execution teams.
• Provide Step 2 and Step 3 S&OP inputs, ensuring data integrity and actionable insights at the account/channel and SKU level.
• Drive collaboration with sales, marketing, and customers via the 30/60/90 forecasting process.
• Deliver account-level reporting and insights, including risks, gaps to plan, and forecast opportunities.
• Partner with key account managers to support VIP account planning and alignment.
• Champion continuous improvement (CI) initiatives within the demand planning function to enhance forecasting processes and tools.
• Apply strong analytical and numerical skills to synthesize multiple demand inputs into one reliable demand signal.
• Identify and correct inconsistencies or biases in forecasting data and methodologies.
• Translate customer and market dynamics into accurate forecasts that support business objectives.
• In the event of demand/supply misalignment or constrained supply, provide clear prioritization based on customer and business impact.
• Navigate complex demand scenarios, promotional plans, and new product launches with confidence and clarity.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• B.S. or BA in supply chain management, science and/or engineering. Master or advanced degree (sciences or business) preferred.
• 5+ years of supply chain experience for a global or multi-plant consumer packaged goods company.
• Proven Demand Planning experience is required, including forecasting, inventory management, or collaborative planning.
• Experience with ERP and Advanced Planning Systems (preferably Blue Yonder, Kinaxis).
• Experience in developing and implementing supply chain planning processes and managing them through deployment of an APS system.
• Up to 20% travel is required.

The Good Stuff - Benefits

Our team members’ physical and mental health is important to a thriving workplace. That’s why we offer the following benefits to full-time employees:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance offered for eligible employees
• 401(k) plan with a company match that veston day 1 of eligibility
• Paid vacation
• Paid time off
• Holiday pay (11 days)
• Paid short-term disability
• Paid life insurance
• Banfield Pet Insurance Discounts
• Wellness Benefits and Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits.Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 86,720.00 - USD 119,240.00