The Demand Planning Business Lead is responsible for developing and executing demand planning strategies to ensure optimal inventory levels and customer satisfaction. Leveraging a deep understanding of statistical models and market trends, the Demand Planning Business Lead accurately forecasts monthly demand at the product and customer level. They lead Sales & Operations Planning meetings to align demand forecasts with production, procurement, and supply chain activities, fostering cross-functional collaboration and driving operational efficiency.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Demand Forecasting:
Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts for assigned product categories.
Utilize statistical models, historical data, and market trends to forecast demand.
Collaborate with sales, marketing, and product teams to gather input for demand forecasts.
Inventory Management:
Optimize inventory levels to meet customer demand while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
Utilize Netstock IBP and NetSuite ERP to analyze inventory levels, stock-out risks, and lead times to recommend replenishment strategies.
Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP):
Lead S&OP meetings to align demand with production, and supply chain activities.
Communicate demand projections, inventory positions, and risks to all teams.
Drive consensus and decision-making to ensure alignment between sales, production, and inventory plans.
Demand Variability Analysis:
Analyze demand variability and develop strategies to mitigate forecast errors and fluctuations.
Identify root causes of demand variability and recommend process improvements.
Monitor forecast accuracy metrics and implement corrective actions as needed.
New Product Introductions (NPI):
Collaborate with product development to integrate NPI forecasts into demand plans.
Assess market potential and develop launch forecasts based on historical data and market insights.
Manage the transition from pre-launch to post-launch demand.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Communicate demand plans, inventory positions, and supply chain constraints effectively to stakeholders.
Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement in demand planning processes.
Demand Analysis and Reporting:
Analyze demand data, including sales trends, customer behavior, and market dynamics.
Generate regular reports and dashboards to provide insights into demand patterns and forecast accuracy.
Utilize analytical tools and software to conduct scenario analysis and sensitivity testing.
Risk Management:
Identify and assess risks to demand forecasts, including supply chain disruptions and market changes.
Develop contingency plans and risk mitigation strategies to address potential disruptions.
Continuous Improvement:
Drive process improvements in demand planning methodologies, tools, and systems.
Identify opportunities to automate manual processes and improve forecast accuracy.
Champion best practices in demand planning and share knowledge with the team.
Performance Measurement:
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure demand planning effectiveness.
Monitor KPIs such as forecast accuracy bias, and inventory turns, and take corrective actions as necessary.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations Research, Statistics, Business Administration, or a related field.
Proficiency in developing and maintaining accurate demand forecasts using statistical models, historical data analysis, and market trends.
Experience in optimizing inventory levels to meet customer demand while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
Strong understanding of S&OP processes and ability to lead cross-functional meetings to align demand forecasts with production, procurement, and supply chain activities.
Excellent analytical abilities to analyze demand variability, identify root causes of forecast errors, and recommend process improvements or system enhancements.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with sales, marketing, finance, and operations teams.
Excellent communication skills to convey complex demand planning concepts and insights to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.