Senior Demand Planner

Mindlance; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Mindlance is seeking a Senior Demand Planner to analyze demand patterns, monitor forecast trends, and adjust forecasting models to deliver a rolling 28-month forecast. You will monitor forecast error and bias and ensure timely model updates aligned with commercial, finance, and operations strategies.

You will support the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, collaborate with Finance, Marketing, and Operations, and drive improvements in forecasting accuracy and variability."

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• 5+ years of experience in Operations, Supply Chain or Financial Management.
• Experience with S&OP processes and BI tools (Blue Yonder, PowerBI, QlikSense).

Responsibilities

• Analyze demand and forecast trends at DFU level.
• Provide statistical forecasting models and recommendations to affiliate finance.
• Support S&OP process and drive alignment with strategy.
• Develop and maintain drivers for DFUs exceeding targets.
• Collaborate with Finance, Marketing, and Operations to align forecasts with trends.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives for S&OP and forecasting processes.
• Support Product Life Cycle Management in relation to forecasts.
• Participate in demand review meetings and document forecast changes for traceability.

Skills

Statistical forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering or Science

Tools

Blue Yonder (JDA)

PowerBI

QlikSense

Job description

The Senior Demand Planner is responsible for analyzing demand patterns, assessing forecast trends, interpreting and actioning key performance indicators, and adjusting statistical forecasting model parameters to generate a rolling 28 months forecast. The Senior Demand Planner monitors forecast error and bias and ensures that statistical forecasting models are updated in a timely manner based on the aligned strategy between commercial, finance, and operations teams. The Senior Demand Planner supports the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process and is responsible for understanding and communicating how different statistical forecast models and model parameters affect demand variability.

Responsibilities

• Analyze demands, assess forecast trends, and evaluate forecast error and bias at a Demand Forecasting Unit (DFU) level
• Provide statistical forecasting models and or Supply Chain demand recommendations to affiliate finance
• Support Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process
• Develop and maintain comments/drivers for any Demand Forecasting Unit (DFU) exceeding established targets
• Liaise with Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain Brand Teams, and Operations to align statistical forecasts with trends and approved product strategy.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives for S&OP, Demand Management, and Statistical forecasting processes
• Support Product Life Cycle Management strategies as it relates to future forecasts
• Participate in demand review meetings. Document changes to demand forecasts to ensure traceability and accountability.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering or Science
• 5 or more years of experience in Operations, Supply Chain Management, and or Financial Management
• Experienced with formal Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes and system experience across Blue Yonder (JDA), PowerBI, and QlikSense
• Proven experience in fostering collaboration across organizational boundaries
• Excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills are required
• Proven ability to possess strong problem solving, negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Results & process oriented, focusing on process improvements to drive higher levels of performance
• Significant cross-functional leadership capabilities – ability to lead, collaborate and influence without authority; uses informal structure, dynamics, and culture to get things done
• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills are required

Significant Work Activities: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8-hour day)

Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time

EEO

“Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.”