Strategic Customer Demand Planner

Rich Products Corporation

Buffalo (NY)

On-site

USD 86,455 - 116,968

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Paid time off

Parental leave

Family planning support

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Rich Products Corporation in Buffalo, NY seeks a Strategic Demand Planner to collaborate with key customers and gather insights to improve the demand signal. You will own the 24‑month forecast and manage the end‑to‑end planning process within IBP, coordinating with Sales, Marketing and Finance to ensure accurate, consensus demand plans.

Strong forecasting and ERP analytics are essential. The role requires deep knowledge of forecasting tools, cross‑functional communication, and experience with

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Supply Chain Management or related field, with 5+ years of statistical forecasting and supply chain experience.
MBA preferred.
Professional certification preferred (e.g., APICS).
Statistical forecasting and model development.
Knowledge of manufacturing, distribution and customer service.
Strong written, interpersonal and presentation skills.
Knowledge of Sales and Marketing functions preferred.
Experience in Integrated Business Planning.
Strong PC proficiency to include Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint (Access preferred) and advanced proficiency in Excel required.
Strong administrative skills and attention to detail.
SAP or related systems experience preferred.
Experience with advanced ERP planning systems (BW, SAP, APO) preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and manage a 24‑month forecast and demand plan at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons.
Evaluate forecast accuracy and value-add across multiple stakeholders.
Coordinate cross‑functional IBP pre‑meetings and refine the demand plan.
Support sales and marketing in scenario planning to address gaps.
Assess past performance and ensure accurate information for forecasts and consensus planning.
Participate in IBP Demand Review meetings and present analysis.
Engage in Supply Review meetings to understand risks and options.
Release consensus demand plan weekly for tactical inventory and short‑term planning.
Publish monthly consensus demand plan for inventory and rough-cut capacity planning.

Skills

Statistical forecasting

Demand planning

IBP

Excel

SAP

APICS

Communication

Forecast accuracy

Presentation

Analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Statistics/Mathematics/Supply Chain

MBA

APICS certification

Tools

SAP

SAP APO

PowerPoint

Access

Excel (advanced)

Job description

Strategic Demand Planner

Location: Buffalo, NY, US, 14213

Segment: Supply Chain

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corporation, is a family‑owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, our products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond great food, our customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. Our portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in‑store bakery, deli, and prepared foods, among others. With more than 13,500 associates working globally in 100 countries and annual sales of $5.9 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with a focus on everything that family makes possible. Rich’s®—Infinite Possibilities. One Family.

Purpose Statement

The role of the Strategic Demand Planner is to collaborate with key customers and gather insights to improve the demand signal. During the Forecasting process, this person is responsible for understanding customer demand, inventory on hand (if available), product shelf‑life status and end‑to‑end order lifecycle.

The Strategic Demand Planner is responsible for the following activities:

Develop and manage a 24‑month forecast and demand plan at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons (operational and strategic).
Evaluate accuracy of forecasts generated by demand‑planning tools and cross‑functional forecasts provided by sales managers, marketing managers, customers, and other stakeholders and determine the forecast value add (FVA).
Coordinate cross‑functional activities during IBP pre‑meetings to reconcile significant variances between system‑generated forecasts and functional forecasts, and refine the demand plan to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions.
Support sales managers and marketing managers in creating scenarios to address main gaps between the demand plan and annual operating plan.
Evaluate past performance, assumptions and forecast‑value‑add in collaboration with Sales, Marketing and Finance to ensure that current and accurate information is used for generating the forecasts and consensus demand plan in the current planning cycle.
Participate in Demand Review meetings of IBP to present analysis and options around exceptions.
Participate in Supply Review meetings to understand demand fulfillment risks, understand fulfillment options and provide guidance on demand probability.
Release the consensus demand plan on a weekly basis to support tactical inventory and supply plan generation for the short‑term.
Prepare and release the consensus demand plan on a monthly basis to support the inventory planning, rough‑cut capacity planning and decision‑making under the IBP process.
Assist and support sales managers in their collaboration with strategic customers to get an understanding of medium‑to‑long‑term outlook around:
- Their customer demand and their priorities
- Customer order forecasts for RICH’S distribution centers
- Sharing past fill‑rate performance and forecast accuracy
- Understanding the product and service attributes they value and attributes they can negotiate on.
Identify opportunities for sharing insights and information to drive accuracy and stability in demand signal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Supply Chain Management or related field, with 5+ years of statistical forecasting and supply chain experience.
MBA preferred.
Professional certification preferred (e.g., APICS).
Statistical forecasting and model development.
Knowledge of manufacturing, distribution and customer service.
Strong written, interpersonal and presentation skills.
Knowledge of Sales and Marketing functions preferred.
Experience in Integrated Business Planning.
Strong PC proficiency to include Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint (Access preferred) and advanced proficiency in Excel required.
Strong administrative skills and attention to detail.
SAP or related systems experience preferred.
Experience with advanced ERP planning systems (BW, SAP, APO) preferred.

Compensation

In accordance with state law, the rate or range provided is Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich's”), reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may be higher or lower, based on non‑discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, shift differential, and location.

Annual Range/Hourly Rate

$86,455.00 - $116,968.00

Rich Products Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Rich’s”), are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity, standing up for fairness and maintaining a culture of belonging, to provide an exceptional experience for all. We will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally protected classes. The information collected by this application is solely to determine suitability for employment, verify identity, and maintain employment statistics on applicants.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on Rich’s. Please contact Rich’s Associate Experience Network at hrhelp@rich.com if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Benefits