Demand Planning Manager

Position Summary

The Demand Planning Manager is responsible for owning and driving the enterprise demand plan and forecasting process as a core component of the company's Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle. This role serves as the primary liaison between Sales and the broader supply chain organization, translating market signals and commercial intelligence into actionable demand plans that support business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the enterprise demand plan, incorporating inputs from sales, marketing, and customer data to produce a consensus forecast.
• Lead the demand review process within the monthly S&OP cycle, facilitating cross-functional alignment between Sales, Operations, and Finance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Sales team on forecast requirements, new product introductions, promotions, and demand variability.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and bias metrics; implement corrective actions and drive a culture of continuous improvement in forecasting performance.
• Collaborate with Supply Planning to ensure demand signals are translated into feasible supply plans and highlight demand/supply gaps proactively.
• Maintain and improve demand planning tools, models, and ERP-based forecasting modules; partner with the Planning Systems Manager on system enhancements.
• Analyze market trends, customer order patterns, and historical data to refine statistical forecasting models.
• Prepare and present demand plan summaries and KPI dashboards to senior leadership during S&OP reviews.
• Support new customer onboarding and product launch planning by developing demand assumptions and ramp plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Supervision of Personnel

• May supervise Demand Planners

Competencies

• Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to analyze large data sets, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable forecast recommendations.
• Collaboration & Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to align cross-functional teams including Sales, Operations, and Finance.
• Business Acumen: Understanding of commercial drivers, customer dynamics, and their impact on demand.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to manage and reconcile complex data while maintaining accuracy across planning horizons.
• Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities and market conditions.
• Leadership: Ability to influence without direct authority and drive alignment across functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field required.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in demand planning, sales forecasting, or S&OP within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading or participating in a formal S&OP process.
• Proficiency with ERP systems required; INFOR/SyteLine experience highly preferred.
• Experience with BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) required for reporting and dashboard consumption.
• APICS CPIM or IBF CPF certification preferred.