Demand Planner

Position Summary

The Demand Planner is the integration point into the sales and commercial organization. This position leads the dialogue each month for their respective customers and products with key counterparts in Sales and Marketing. The Demand Planner incorporates data gathered from business intelligence, sales, marketing, finance, and customers to create a consensus forecast.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop demand forecasts (operational forecasts) at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons as part of a demand planning function
• Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results
• Coordinate cross-functional research activities to reconcile significant variances and refine the forecast model to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions
• Utilize a collaborative and consensus approach by working with sales, marketing, and customer finance to understand demand forecast drivers and ensure all data is considered in final forecast
• Use and maintain the Demand Planning software as the primary forecasting system tool
• Provide input to the Supply Planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs
• Closely coordinate and communicate customer action plans with supply planning
• Generate statistical and/or calculated forecasts using available forecast tools
• Use and execute statistical forecast modeling techniques and software
• Review resulting statistical forecast model and select best fit forecast model
• Apply error analysis techniques to improve forecasting and reduce forecast error
• Review sales plans, customer finance Budget Updates or Latest Estimates and demand drivers
• Achieve consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process with sales, marketing and finance departments
• Provide input to volume planning (Latest Estimates/annual process) and facilitate/manage demand planning/customer meetings
• Maintain demand planning system and software; enter/modify data ensuring correct product hierarchy and monitor trends in forecast error
• Prepare and maintain relevant reports pertaining to demand planning process
• Work on special projects as assigned

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication with both internal and external customers
• APICS or other forecasting Certification preferred
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting and forecasting methods with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts
• Familiar with creating and evaluating statistical forecast models based on historical sales and booking data, market trends, seasonality, and customer requirements
• Ability to organize and complete work with given deadlines
• Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook

Minimum Qualifications, Education & Experience

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• 3-5 years of previous Forecast, Demand Planning and Demand Execution experience
• 2-3 years of ERP/MRP experience, Oracle and Demantra preferred
• 2-3 years of experience in the Medical Device industry in Customer Service, Supply Chain, and/or Inside Sales
• Proven track record of improving overall efficiencies, reducing scrap cost and leading teams to effect positive change within the organization

Work Environment

• This is largely a sedentary role.
• This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment.
• Typically requires travel less than 5% of the time.