Global Operations Planning & Systems Analyst

About the Role

Responsible for monthly, quarterly, and annual demand forecast updates, analyzing demands, assessing forecast trends, forecasting error and bias, and applying statistical forecasting models to develop both short and long-term forecast models. Collaborates with business partners on market insights, forecasting issues, demand alignment, and finished goods safety stock. Conducts rationale analysis behind demand plans for supply chain operations including production, material demand, purchase plans, and capacity and constraint planning. Supports Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes and updates planning parameters such as production models, build types, forecast types, and product tiers. Designs and develops operation-planning models and tools to ensure optimal outcomes with an end-to-end system solution.

Responsibilities

• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual demand forecast updates for a rolling 16-month horizon and feed the Supply Chain Planning process for all shippable products.
• Analyze demands, assess forecast trends, and evaluate forecast error and bias at a Demand Forecasting Unit (DFU) level.
• Provide statistical forecasting models and supply chain demand recommendations to affiliated sales and operations for short and long-term forecasts.
• Collaborate with business partners (e.g., Sales & Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain teams, OEM, and NPI Engineering) to gain insights on sales activities, market trends, new product introduction, and capacity status.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives for S&OP, Demand Management, and Statistical forecasting processes.
• Maintain forecast assumptions, comments, and drivers for any DFU exceeding established targets to align with company strategic decisions and new opportunities.
• Evaluate forecasting systems, tools, and processes to identify refinement, optimization, and enhancement opportunities.
• Support product End-of-Life (EOL), product discontinuation, New Product Introduction (NPI), and Product Life Cycle Management strategies.
• Conduct rationale analysis behind demand plans for supply chain operations including production, material demand, purchase plans, inventory, capacity, and constraint planning.
• Work on new product categorization and planning parameters, including production models, build types, forecast types, and product tiers.
• Support the development of safety stock strategies and updates for all part levels to ensure optimized finished goods inventory levels aligned with global production, distribution, and inventory strategies.
• Participate in Affiliate Demand Review and the company’s S&OP process.
• Utilize the company’s Planning System (Kinaxis RapidResponse) to support department objectives and conduct gap analysis between updated demand plans and existing capacity and constraints.
• Perform ad hoc data analysis for business reporting as required and implement special projects as requested.
• Ensure data integration and integrity between native Operations business systems and tools.
• Support the full system/tool development life cycle from collecting user requirements, design, development, testing, launching, training, and communication for issue fixes or new and enhanced solutions.
• Maintain home-grown operations planning tools and MRP systems.
• Collaborate with IT to develop and improve planning and operations tools and systems to optimize operations management analysis capability and functionality.
• Interface between Operations and Information Systems, effectively communicating technical concepts to business users at all levels of the organization.
• Provide user training on systems, applications, and reports.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Requirements

• 5 or more years of experience in Operations, Demand Planning, Supply Chain Management, and/or Financial Management.
• Detailed understanding of Demand Planning, MRP systems, Production Planning, Material Planning, Distribution Planning, Inventory Planning, and Procurement processes.
• Project management experience.
• Lean Manufacturing Operations, Six Sigma Certification.
• Fundamental understanding of the supply chain, statistic-based forecasting models, and demand forecasting principles.
• Working knowledge of ERP, WMS, CRM, SCM, and other operations systems and tools.
• Efficient working knowledge of SCM systems, preferably Kinaxis RapidResponse.
• Data ETL, data cleaning, data analysis, and data reporting skills.
• Strong quantitative, statistical, and analytical skills.
• Strong numerate, analytical, and critical thinking skills with the ability to evaluate what-if scenarios by metrics and scorecards.
• Ability to translate word problems into mathematical equations.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and attention to detail.
• Systems savvy with experience in software applications, data management tools, and databases; highly proficient with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project.
• Excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Significant cross-functional leadership capabilities with the ability to lead, collaborate, and influence without authority.
• Results and process-oriented, focusing on process improvements to drive higher levels of performance.
• Ability to effectively interact and communicate with all levels of management.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic business environment with a keen sense of urgency.
• Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and develop creative solutions.
• Ability to investigate, identify, and analyze key business and system issues, develop creative solutions, and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Ability to define business problems by building mathematical models and using statistical analysis, heuristic analysis, or simulations to analyze and develop optimized and practical solutions, such as resource allocation and production scheduling.

Preferred Qualifications

• End-to-end business and financial acumen with an understanding of supply chain principles.
• Understanding of all elements of the supply chain, especially demand and supply planning processes.
• Expertise or knowledge sufficient to perform the duties of the job.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing Operations, Value-Added, Supply Chain, Forecasting, and Continuous Flow methodologies.
• Experience implementing production systems in discrete manufacturing and continuous flow processes.
• Experience with data management tools, databases, ETL, Microsoft SQL SSIS/SSAS/SSRS.
• PMP certification (PMI).
• APIC, CPM certification.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Supply Chain, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Statistics, or a closely related field.

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this position is $80,000 - $100,000. Actual placement within the range is dependent on multiple factors, including but not limited to skills, education, and experience. This position also qualifies for up to 10% annual bonus based on company, department, and individual performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Life/AD&D, Disability Insurance
• 401(k)
• Vacation, Sick, Holiday, Paid Maternity Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital, Long-Term Care Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance
• On-site Wellness Clinic, Fitness Center, and Café

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements.

Schedule

This position primarily works in an office environment. It requires frequent sitting, standing, and walking. Daily use of a computer and other computing and digital devices is required. May stand for extended periods when facilitating meetings or walking in the facilities. Some local travel is necessary, so the ability to operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid Driver’s license is required.