Senior Demand Planner

Gordon Food Service; Wyoming (MI); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Gordon Food Service seeks an experienced Senior Demand Planner to own forecasting and consensus planning across Demand, Sales, and Category teams. You will analyze product movement, seasonality, and market trends to improve in-stock performance and drive efficiency in inventory and capacity planning.

The role requires leadership in cross-functional teams, strong communication, and advanced forecasting skills to deliver accurate forecasts and continuous supply chain improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Supply Chain Management, Statistics or related preferred.
• Four or more years experience within the food industry or supply chain management field preferred.
• Ability to lead the team and interact with leaders in other departments/roles, develop relationships.
• Self directed with ability to deal with distraction, repetition, prioritization, fluctuations in workload, ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Segment level analysis and reporting for each Division; focus on key customers, new items, category initiatives.
• Acts as a lead for cross-departmental projects to implement and develop best practices and represent team needs.
• Analyses historical trends and addresses concerns and opportunities with key stakeholders: Sales Leadership, General Managers, Category Management Leadership.
• Leads consensus planning meetings for the Regions served and provides direction to team members on action items.
• Initiates planning solutions with the key stakeholders.
• Evaluates KPIs weekly by segment to identify improvements.

Skills

Forecasting methods

Statistical concepts

Leadership

Communication skills

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM/Statistics

Tools

Customer Demand Planner tool

Job description

Welcome to Gordon Food Service! We are excited that you are thinking about opportunities with us, and we have an amazing story to share. See below for a quick glance of who we are and the impact you could have on the food service industry. There's a seat at our table for you...

Position Summary

The Senior Demand Planner owns and is accountable for leading planning and consensus discussion between the Demand Team, Sales Leadership, General Managers, and Category Management leaders. Analyzes, adjusts, and reviews statistical forecasts based on product movement including seasonality, industry and market trends, and probability of anticipated sales. Measured on forecast accuracy and forecast bias through statistical modeling and consensus planning. Focused on driving continuous improvement with customer in-stock performance, inventory turns, product loss, and capacity planning. Is a peer leader on the team and helps lead team planning and projects.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Segment Level analysis and reporting for each Division; Focus on key customers, new items, category initiatives
• Serves as a team lead by supporting, coaching and educating the team on best practices along with developing & implementing innovative ideas. Acts as a lead for cross-departmental projects to implement and develop best practices along with representing the team's needs
• Is accountable for analyzing historical trends and addressing concerns and opportunities with key stakeholders; Sales Leadership, General Managers, and Category Management Leadership.
• Leads consensus planning meetings for the Regions they serve and provide direction to team members on action items
• Initiates planning solutions with the key stakeholders
• Evaluates KPI’s weekly by segment to identify and provide areas of improvement.
• Responsible for building relationships and training all Sales representatives that support our Education Segment on the Customer Demand Planner tool.
• Reviews financial forecasts and demand forecasts to complete a gap analysis
• Expectation for continual innovation to enhance the Supply Chain
• Analyzes and reviews seasonal historical sales trends and researches demand drivers to prepare forecast data/reporting for collaboration with stakeholders.
• Develops reporting and explores new ways to utilize data and statistical methods to improve the quality of the demand forecast and generate a forecast value-add(FVA)
• Assists leadership with key meetings and will cover leadership responsibilities when needed.
• Develop and maintain accurate statistical forecasts that incorporate market intelligence gathered from collaboration with the various customer segments.. Supports other Team members through this process as needed
• Analyzes divisional and corporate promotional activities to enhance statistical forecasting. Provides a scorecard on key performance measures to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
• Communicate to Replenishment Planners any significant changes in demand that may warrant adjustments to fulfillment parameters
• Makes necessary adjustments to demand/forecast for future events, item transitions, limited time offerings, new business, and product discontinuation.
• Participate in functional teams to propose methods and ideas that drive innovation for improvement in the forecasting system and existing business processes.(ex. Seasonal Planning, Statistical Exceptions Management, etc.)
• Performs other duties as assigned.

When You Will Work

• Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.
• Hybrid Work Schedule: 4 days in office, 1 day from home.

What You'll Bring To The Table

• Bachelor Degree in Supply Chain Management, Statistics or related preferred.
• Four or more years experience within the food industry or supply chain management field preferred. A proven capability to perform the essential functions of the job, including an equivalent, relevant combination of education, training and experience will be considered in lieu of the specified education and experience requirements.
• Ability to lead the team and interact with leaders in other departments/roles, develop relationships, etc. Able to lead meetings and manage the responsibility of follow up with collaborating team members.
• Self directed with ability to deal with distraction, repetition, prioritization, fluctuations in workload, ambiguity, etc.
• Proficient in statistical concepts and forecasting methods
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize, and execute efficient work processes.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Ability to problem solve and develop solutions to a variety of complex problems by comparing, classifying, innovating, analyzing, coordinating, copying, etc. May refer to established precedents and policies.

BE PART OF AN AMAZING CULTURE WHERE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US!

Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to [e-mail] and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line.

All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free.

Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug tests.