Senior Demand Planning Manager

Central Garden & Pet Company; Neptune City (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the pet sector is seeking a Senior Demand Planning Manager to oversee supply planning and demand forecasting. This role involves collaboration across departments to enhance efficiency, meet KPIs, and support customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership and analytical skills, with over 10 years of experience in planning roles within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant work experience in inventory planning and replenishment.
• 2+ years managing direct reports.
• Deep knowledge of business processes & cycles.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end supply planning and develop KPIs for performance measurement.
• Optimize inventory to meet customer expectations while minimizing costs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for supply chain efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or a related field

Tools

ERP systems

MRP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Senior Demand Planning Manager will be a hands-on leader responsible for the planning functions of assigned business units, overseeing demand forecasting and supply planning. This role requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams including manufacturing, purchasing, inventory, sales, finance, and marketing to drive operational efficiency and meet KPIs such as fill rate, productivity, forecast accuracy, and inventory turns. This position demands strong leadership, advanced analytical skills, and the ability to develop and execute strategies that align with business goals and enhance customer satisfaction.

This role requires candidates to report on-site to our Neptune City, NJ and Monroe Township, NJ facilities 5x a week.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

• Lead end-to-end supply planning, aligning demand forecasts with production schedules and creating SKU level plans to ensure efficient product flow and meet business objectives. Develop and monitor KPIs to measure performance on these objectives.
• Develop and implement strategies for demand forecasting and replenishment, optimizing inventory to assure supply meets customer expectations and minimizes costs.
• Identify any constraints or supply issues impacting ability to meet demand. Communicate issues and provide root cause analysis to prevent reoccurrence.
• Understand and utilize statistical forecasting tools to create both an item level and financial forecast. In developing the forecast, utilize POS and input from sales, marketing, and customers to validate and enhance the forecast.
• Create and maintain detailed reports and presentations using Excel and PowerPoint for both internal analysis and distribution to senior management and key stakeholders. In developing reports, leverage relational databases, market information, and other data sources. Present data in a clear and concise manner that informs, supports, and helps drive the decision process.
• Lead, present, collaborate, and contribute to team, cross-functional, and management meetings. In facilitating meetings, assure they are productive with clear agendas, active participation, and follow up.
• Contribute to the S&OP process by creating accurate forecasts and supply plans that support the company’s objectives, including achieving optimal fill rate, inventory levels, production efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance supply chain efficiency, optimize inventory, reduce lead times, and increase customer satisfaction.
• Mentor and develop assigned planning team, fostering a high-performance, collaborative environment.

IDEAL CANDIDATE ATTRIBUTES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, or a related field required.
• 10+ years of relevant work experience in an inventory planning and replenishment role, preferably within the CPG industry with a company with $100+ million of sales.
• Deep knowledge of business processes and cycles, including ERP and MRP systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing, cross-functional teams with strong leadership & collaboration skills. 2+ years of experience managing direct reports.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret data and solve problems effectively, including utilizing forecasting software to create statistical forecasts.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with exceptional written and verbal communication.
• Computer proficiency in all MS Office applications, with extensive knowledge of Excel.