Demand Planning Center of Excellence (CoE) Manager

Role Overview

The Demand Planning Center of Excellence (CoE) Manager is responsible for establishing, standardizing, and continuously improving demand planning capabilities across the organization. This role leads the development of best practices, tools, analytics, and governance to drive forecast accuracy, improve service levels, and enable data-driven decision-making within the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) framework.

Key Responsibilities

• CoE Strategy & Governance
• Define and lead the Demand Planning CoE strategy, roadmap, and operating model
• Establish standardized processes, templates, and policies across regions/businesses
• Drive governance and adherence to demand planning standards and KPIs
• Forecasting Excellence
• Improve forecast accuracy, bias, and error metrics
• Develop and deploy statistical forecasting models and methodologies
• Lead demand segmentation and forecasting strategy (baseline vs. event-driven demand)
• Process Standardization & Continuous Improvement
• Implement and optimize end-to-end demand planning processes within S&OP cycles
• Identify gaps and lead continuous improvement initiatives across planning teams
• Drive maturity assessments and capability building across regions
• Tools & Systems Enablement
• Partner with IT and digital teams to implement and enhance planning tools (Kinaxis)
• Define system requirements, data models, and reporting standards
• Ensure data quality, integration, and usability for planning processes
• Analytics & Insights
• Build advanced analytics and reporting to generate actionable insights
• Leverage AI/ML and automation to enhance forecasting capabilities
• Translate data into business recommendations for leadership
• Capability Building & Change Management
• Train and mentor regional demand planners
• Develop training materials, playbooks, and knowledge-sharing forums
• Lead change management initiatives to drive adoption of new processes and tools

Key Skills, Abilities And Experience Required

• HS Diploma or GED required
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Business, Engineering, Analytics, or a related field required
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree
• 7+ years’ experience within Demand Planning, Demand Planning Excellence required
• Deep domain expertise in demand planning
• Strong understanding of demand planning proficiencies such as statistical modeling, event and promotional modeling, business driver correlation and product life cycle management (introduction, transition, cannibalization, EOL)
• Experience leading a cross-functional SIOP processes and stakeholder engagement
• Experience leading projects and driving continuous improvements with a disciplined approach
• Six Sigma Green / Black Belt Certification preferred
• Demand planning Software experience and/or implementation (Kinaxis Rapid Response, FPRO, Demantra or similar) is a requirement
• Demonstrated change management experience and ability to lead through change and rapid growth
• Strategic problem solver and planner
• Influential leader with the ability to work across functions and a culturally diverse organization
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong analytic skills. Able to translate data insights into business outcomes, recommendation and decisions
• Experience in the Life Science or Medical Device industry preferred
• APICS certification preferred

Compensation And Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in Pennsylvania is $84,400.00–$126,550.00. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs
• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement
• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy
• Retail and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan
• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards