Sr Demand Planner

What you will do

The Sr Demand Planner will be responsible for developing accurate and data-driven demand forecasts to support business planning and inventory management. This role works closely with Sales, Supply Chain, Category Management, and other cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and drive forecast accuracy across multiple customer channels including Retail, Wholesale, and OEM. The ideal candidate will bring a strong analytical mindset, proficiency in forecasting tools, and a deep understanding of demand planning processes to deliver high-quality insights and reporting that support business goals.

How you will do it

• Prepare a reliable 36-month unit forecast for assigned customers and channels using historical data, customer input, market trends, and statistical modeling.
• Support in key planning processes including demand reviews, Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP), Sales & Operations Execution (SOE), and other ad hoc reporting or analysis requests.
• Drive improvements in forecast accuracy and forecast attainment by monitoring performance metrics, identifying gaps, and implementing corrective actions.
• Lead the monthly demand review meetings, presenting forecasts, key assumptions, changes, and actionable insights for decision-making.
• Maintain the demand planning system by ensuring accurate master data, managing history loads, adjusting for new or discontinued products, and coordinating with supply points and sales regions.
• Generate and maintain statistical forecasts, adjusting model parameters to improve accuracy and reflect business realities.
• Provide actionable reporting on forecast accuracy, variance analysis vs financial plans, and changes from previous cycles.
• Collaborate with Sales to incorporate judgmental forecasts, account-level intelligence, and upcoming promotions or shifts in customer behavior.
• Monitor and analyze customer POS, inventory levels, and order trends to refine forecast inputs and support inventory planning.
• Support the planning process by providing ad hoc analysis and reports to supply planning, finance, and commercial teams.
• Continuously refine and optimize demand forecasting methodologies, tools, and models to align with evolving business needs.
• Evaluate and recommend forecast accuracy targets for different sales channels and product segments.
• Maintain and improve forecast tools and models for both mature products and new launches.

To succeed in this role

• Demonstrate a strong blend of business acumen, analytical capability, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

What we look for

• Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Supply Chain Management, Operations, Logistics, Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Mathematics, or Statistics. An advanced degree is a plus.
• 5-7 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or a related supply chain planning function, preferably within the automotive, manufacturing, or consumer goods industries.
• Hands-on experience with demand planning software, preferably O9 Solutions; familiarity with other platforms like Anaplan, Blue Yonder, or Logility is also valued.
• Strong proficiency in ERP systems and business intelligence tools, with the ability to extract, analyze, and visualize large datasets.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using data analytics and visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to present complex data in a clear and actionable format to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Attention to detail and a continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• PREFERRED:
• Hands-on experience with demand planning software, preferably O9 Solutions; familiarity with other platforms like Anaplan, Blue Yonder, or Logility is also valued.
• Professional certifications such as IBF (Institute of Business Forecasting), APICS CPIM/CSCP, or equivalent are preferred and demonstrate commitment to industry's best practices.