Senior Demand Planner

A. Stucki Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

A. Stucki Company is seeking a Senior Demand Planner to forecast demand, optimize inventory, and drive supply chain performance across a high-SKU environment. You will leverage data, statistics, BI insights, and stakeholder input to improve forecast accuracy and service levels.

The role requires strong analytical skills, collaboration with Sales and Engineering, and experience with SAP and advanced forecasting methods. Join a team committed to continuous improvement and global rail solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Supply Chain, Engineering, Data Science or related field.
• 5+ years of statistical forecasting and supply chain planning experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on SAP enterprise planning experience creating statistical forecasts.
• Experience with large datasets and high-SKU environments.
• Rail industry experience is a plus; heavy manufacturing background preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accurate short-, medium-, and long-term demand forecasts across customers, products, channels, geographies, and SKUs.
• Analyze historical sales, inventory, market conditions and drivers to identify trends and changes in demand.
• Apply forecasting methods to improve forecast quality and monitor forecast accuracy.
• Lead SIOP and collaborate with Sales, Engineering, and Operations to align demand and supply.
• Translate business information into actionable adjustments to the demand plan.

Skills

Mathematics

Supply Chain

Engineering

Data Science

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Supply Chain, Engineering, Data Science

Tools

SAP

Job description

At A. Stucki Company, we’re all about innovation, engineering excellence, and keeping the rail industry on track—literally! Founded in 1911, we’ve evolved into a powerhouse of businesses delivering cutting-edge parts and services for rail systems worldwide. From dynamic control products and brake system components to springs, bearings, and track infrastructure, we’ve got rail covered. But we don’t stop there—our services include remanufacturing, repair, and more. Over a century strong, we’re redefining what it means to move the world forward, one railcar at a time.

What sets us apart?

Global Impact: Be part of a team that's making waves on a global scale. Your work at A. Stucki Company will contribute to solutions that transcend boundaries and impact lives.

Collaborative Culture: We value teamwork and collaboration. Our open-door policy ensures that your ideas are not only heard but valued. Together, we build the future.

Continuous Learning: Embrace a culture of continuous improvement. At A. Stucki Company, we invest in your professional development, providing resources and opportunities to help you reach new heights.

Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate differences and believe in the strength of diversity. Join a workplace that encourages individuality and values the unique perspectives each team member brings.

We are looking for a Senior Demand Planner to join our Supply Chain team and play a critical role in forecasting customer demand, optimizing inventory, and improving overall supply chain performance. This role will own and develop demand forecasts across a complex, high-SKU environment, using data, statistical modeling, business intelligence, and input from key stakeholders to improve forecast accuracy and inventory productivity. The Senior Demand Planner will work closely with Sales, Engineering, Operations, and other business functions to understand customer demand, product life cycles, market trends, and business drivers.

This is a highly integrated role where analytical expertise, business curiosity, communication, and collaboration are essential. The successful candidate will turn complex data into actionable insights that improve customer service, revenue, margins, and inventory performance.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Demand Planning & Forecasting

• Develop and maintain accurate short-, medium-, and long-term demand forecasts across customers, products, channels, geographies, and SKUs.
• Analyze historical sales, inventory levels, market conditions, and business drivers to identify trends, patterns, and changes in demand.
• Apply statistical, driver-based, predictive, and other advanced forecasting methodologies to improve forecast quality.
• Monitor forecast accuracy, bias, and other demand planning KPIs and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain forecast-versus-actual history and use results to continuously refine forecasting methodologies.
• Conduct scenario planning to evaluate potential changes in demand and their impact on inventory and service levels.
• Identify and address forecast bias, data quality issues, and structural changes that may impact forecast performance.

Data & Analytics

• Validate, organize, and maintain demand data from multiple sources for use in forecasting systems.
• Cleanse and prepare data to maximize forecast accuracy and minimize bias.
• Analyze large, complex datasets to identify relationships between business drivers and demand outcomes.
• Leverage advanced analytics, statistical modeling, and machine learning techniques where appropriate.
• Maintain forecasting structural data and ensure products and demand are properly categorized.
• Develop and maintain reporting and analytics that provide visibility into demand trends and forecast performance.
• Utilize advanced Excel and SAP enterprise planning tools to analyze and manage demand data.

SIOP & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key owner and contributor to the SIOP process.
• Prepare and present demand planning metrics, forecasts, trends, and recommendations to senior leadership and business partners.
• Partner closely with Sales and Engineering to understand customer requirements, product life cycles, demand patterns, and changes in the business.
• Communicate forecast changes, inventory requirements, and potential risks to relevant departments.
• Ensure changes to the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) are accurately reflected in SAP and communicated to appropriate stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Operations, Sales, Engineering, and other functions to ensure alignment between demand and supply plans.
• Translate business and customer information into actionable changes to the demand plan.

Process Improvement & Projects

• Continuously identify opportunities to improve demand planning processes, systems, and methodologies.
• Design and redesign forecasting processes to account for frequent customer-driven changes in demand.
• Evaluate, validate, and implement new forecasting methodologies and approaches.
• Lead medium- and large-scale demand planning and supply chain improvement projects.
• Establish and implement demand planning best practices across the organization.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and advocate for data-driven demand planning decisions.

Qualifications/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Supply Chain, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of statistical forecasting and supply chain planning experience.
• 3+ years of hands-on SAP enterprise planning experience creating statistical forecasts.
• Experience working with large datasets and high-SKU-count environments.
• Experience in a heavy manufacturing environment preferred.
• Rail industry experience is a plus.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Health Coverage: The company offers competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance, ensuring comprehensive healthcare for you and your family.
• Retirement Savings: Enjoy immediate full vesting in our 401(k) plan, with a generous company match to support your financial future.
• Life Insurance: Receive company-paid life insurance for peace of mind and security.
• Paid Time Off: 11 paid holidays, plus paid vacation, and sick time available in your first year.
• Work-Life Balance: Supportive benefits designed to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.