Sr Manager, Demand Planning

Palo Alto Networks; California (MO); On-site; USD 152,000 - 246,000; Full time

Job summary

Palo Alto Networks is looking for an experienced planning manager to oversee Demand, Portfolio Management, S&OP and S&OE processes. This role balances demand and supply, resolves variances, and aligns financial and operational plans with business goals.

You will collaborate with GTM, Product Management, Supply Chain, Logistics and Finance to reconcile top-down plans with bottom-up operations, and drive automation and AI forecasting initiatives across the organization.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in demand / supply roles with S&OP/IBP experience.
• End-to-end planning and supply chain management expertise.
• Experience with planning systems improvements.
• Proven people management experience.
• Knowledge of cross-functional processes in GTM, product, finance.
• Ability to lead multiple projects and hit KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Manage demand and portfolio management teams (NPI, EOL) and drive S&OP forecasting.
• Develop monthly input and evaluate supply plans and inventory implications.
• Drive improvements in forecast models, systems, reporting, and processes.
• Lead analysis of changing demand and supply; optimize inventory and service levels.
• Collaborate with leadership to generate consensus demand and supply plans.
• Lead AI-driven forecasting initiatives with the team.
• Partner with product, sales, GTM, operations and finance to address gaps.
• Drive S&OP and S&OE with stakeholders and leadership on risks/opportunities.
• Share plans with customers and supply chain partners with documented assumptions.
• Work on cross-functional projects like new launches and GTM programs.
• Coordinate with contract manufacturers to align supply plans.
• Develop and monitor KPIs around S&OP, supply/demand, and inventory.
• Ensure smooth quarter-end planning closures.

Skills

Demand planning

Supply planning

S&OP

IBP

People management

Cross-functional collaboration

Forecasting

AI forecasting

Tools

Planning systems

Job description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place.

Who We Are

In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!

We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.

Job Summary

Palo Alto Networks is looking for an experienced and knowledgeable individual to manage processes and systems across Demand, Portfolio Management, Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and Sales and Operations Execution (S&OE). This role will manage end to end processes for balancing demand and supply choices and has the accountability to assist and manage the identification and resolution of plan variances, inventory, cost and service optimization in alignment to the business objectives. The planning manager is expected to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with cross functional teams, such as GTM (Go To Market), Product Management, Supply Chain Program and Materials Mgmt, Logistics and Finance to reconcile top-down financial plans with the bottom-up operational plans. The position will report to the Director, Planning.

This role will also help drive the continuous improvement of the planning processes and frameworks (S&OP and S&OE), as well as contributing to special projects (including automation) and other supply chain and business strategy initiatives.

We are looking for a well-rounded individual who encompasses excellent analytical, communication, people and leadership skills with strong business and commercial acumen. They should be able to work under pressure and cross-functionally, to drive sound decision making with a result-oriented focus. They should also be able to quickly identify deviations from expected results and other disruptions and should be able to promptly lead their team to resolve any issues, fostering a high performance and engaged culture. This individual should also have excellent presentation skills.

Your Impact

• Manage demand and portfolio management teams (including NPI and EOL) while driving optimization of a S&OP forecast that drives the manufacturing build plan and decisions for last time buys.

• Develop monthly S&OP input (medium- or long-term demand plans), evaluate supply plans generated and inventory implications from it.

• Drive continuous improvements in forecast and planning models/processes, planning systems, reporting, teams and processes.

• Facilitate and lead continuous analysis around changing demand, supply performance and provide input to improvement initiatives to optimize inventory, reduce obsolescence across the network, while maintaining desired level of service levels for customers.

• Work with business unit leadership to generate a consensus demand plan, consensus supply plan and a final S&OP plan.

• Ability to run and create new forecasting models based on statistical data to predict future demand and lead AI driven forecasting initiatives with the team

• Influence and collaborate with key partners in product management, sales, Go To Market, operations and finance and address input gaps as identified by forecast error, volatility review, supplier performance, supply constraints and other means.

• Drive both S&OP and S&OE, work with relevant stakeholders and business leadership to discuss the potential risks and opportunities associated with changes to demand and the supply.

• Ensure that demand and supply plans are shared/received at the level of detail and timing required by all customers and supply chain partners, with documented assumptions, to achieve the various business objectives.

• Collaborate with various cross-functional teams on projects such as new product launches, GTM Promotions/Programs, and any other supply chain impacting strategies and be able to showcase sound business decision making aligned with company goals.

• Partner with our contract manufacturer on key initiatives and also work with the supply planning lead to ensure the supply plan aligns with thresholds and expectations at their end.

• KPI Management: Able to develop, manage and monitor KPIs around S&OP, S&OP, Supply Demand Planning and Inventory.

• Ability to manage planning related activities to ensure smooth closure of quarter ends.

Qualifications

Required Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in demand / supply role with experience in In the modern supply chain, Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP)

• Thorough understanding of end-to-end planning and supply chain management

• Experience in using and improving systems (Planning Related)

• Proven people management experience

• Knowledge of processes in sales, product management, finance and manufacturing.

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at once.

• Demonstrated ability to achieve KPIs like plan accuracy improvement, process adherence, inventory turns

• Proactive self-starter with ability to deal with changing priorities and environment

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal), role requires presentations to executives

• Ability to develop relationships and work in a team environment

• Ability to lead automation projects for planning processes

Preferred Experience:

• Experience utilizing AI to gain efficiency in your day to day

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

$152,000.00 - $245,500.00/yr

Our Commitment

We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at [e-mail].

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.