Manager, Demand Planning

About the role

Immediately in Rosemont, IL / United States. Permanent, full‑time position. HARIBO is the world’s #1 gummi candy manufacturer. The Manager, Demand Planning will lead the demand planning process for high‑profile, high‑volume retail and distributor partners across the United States, predict future sales needs, partner closely with sales teams to help achieve sales targets through monthly demand reviews, develop and mentor others on the demand planning team, and elevate the demand planning function to best‑in‑class. Reporting to the Director of Demand Planning and S&OP, the role involves frequent interaction with the North American management team and C‑suite executives, is based on‑site at the HARIBO of America corporate office in Rosemont, Illinois, and focuses exclusively on demand planning (not supply or inventory planning).

Responsibilities

• Lead the Demand Planning process for retail and distributor partners across the United States
• Predict future customer (retailer) needs as accurately as possible
• Provide accurate demand forecasts, continuously fine‑tune forecasts
• Work with National Account Managers, Sales Directors, and Brand Managers to assess trends, promotions, activities, and factors that impact sales volume for assigned subset of HARIBO’s retail and distributor partners
• Work with Sales leadership to identify and close gaps
• Provide monthly demand reviews, analyze SKU and product demands, and develop accurate sales demand forecasts through analyzing industry trends, historical data, consumption patterns, and competitor activities
• Create, combine, and manage complex data sets (e.g., SAP, IBP) into financial reporting structures that drive root cause analysis of retail customer and distributor performance
• Present to senior HARIBO of America leaders including the North American Management team and C‑suite Executives

Qualifications

• 7+ years of total work experience in demand planning or related roles
• Minimum of 5+ years of demand planning & demand forecasting experience, specifically in the CPG / Consumer Packaged Goods industry
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Statistics, Economics, or related field
• Demonstrated expertise using an ERP system such as SAP, Oracle, Blue Yonder, or other ERP systems – SAP IBP strongly preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• SAP – IBP experience is strongly preferred
• Experience in food manufacturing is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of the S & OP process
• Experience in demand planning working directly for the brand / manufacturer (as opposed to working for a distributor that does not make the product)
• Experience presenting to and making recommendations to senior level leaders
• Experience working with Sales Managers to identify and close gaps

Skills

• Advanced Excel skills
• Ability to manipulate and analyze large amounts of data from multiple sources
• Ability to leverage analytics and insights to generate meaningful solutions
• Ability to lead and develop others
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively and present to senior leaders

Pay

Target Hiring Pay Range: $115,000 - $150,000 annually (base salary).