Demand Planner
A Demand Planner is a professional responsible for forecasting customer demand, managing inventory levels, and identifying market trends to optimize supply chain operations and meet business goals.
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Sample Job Descriptions for Demand Planner
Below are the some sample job descriptions for the different experience levels, where you can find the summary of the role, required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.
Junior (0-2 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
A Demand Planner is responsible for analyzing and forecasting customer demand to optimize inventory levels and ensure product availability. They collaborate with various teams such as sales, marketing, and supply chain to make informed decisions about future purchasing and production.
Required Skills
- Data analysis
- Forecasting methods
- Organizational and time management
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Negotiation and influencing
- Teamwork and collaboration
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics or related field.
- Understanding of inventory management and supply chain principles.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel, and familiarity with demand planning software.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Responsibilities
- Collect and analyze sales data to forecast demand and identify trends.
- Work with sales and marketing teams to understand promotional activities and their impact on demand.
- Collaborate with supply chain and procurement teams to align demand forecasts with inventory levels.
- Maintain accurate records of historical sales data and forecast adjustments.
- Assist in the development of demand planning strategies and improvement initiatives.
- Participate in cross-functional meetings to discuss demand forecasts and supply chain strategies.
- Monitor and report on forecast accuracy and identify areas for improvement.
Intermediate (2-5 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
As a Demand Planner, you will be responsible for developing and executing demand planning strategies that effectively manage forecasting, inventory levels, and product lifecycle management. You will play a crucial role in optimizing supply chain operations, ensuring product availability, and minimizing costs.
Required Skills
- Analytical and statistical analysis
- Forecasting and inventory management
- Collaborative and cross-functional teamwork
- Advanced Excel and data manipulation
- Strong planning and organizational abilities
- Problem-solving and strategic thinking
- Effective communication and presentation capabilities
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or related field.
- 2-5 years of experience in demand planning or supply chain management.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with forecasting methodologies.
- Proficiency in demand planning software and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
- Knowledge of ERP systems, such as SAP or Oracle.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts utilizing historical sales data, market trends, and promotional activity.
- Collaborate with sales, marketing, and production teams to align demand forecasts with business strategies.
- Analyze demand patterns and identify potential issues affecting inventory levels.
- Work with supply chain and logistics teams to optimize inventory and ensure product availability.
- Implement improvements in demand planning processes and tools to increase accuracy and efficiency.
- Prepare and present monthly forecast reports to senior management.
- Participate in cross-functional team meetings to provide input on product lifecycle and discontinuations.
- Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to demand planning and inventory management.
Senior (5+ years of experience)
Summary of the Role
As a Senior Demand Planner, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining accurate demand forecasts that drive supply chain optimization and ensure product availability. You will use your experience to analyze market trends, work closely with sales, marketing, and supply teams, and utilize advanced planning tools to predict customer needs and manage inventory levels effectively.
Required Skills
- Statistical analysis
- Data manipulation and interpretation
- Forecasting and modeling techniques
- Advanced proficiency in planning software
- Project management
- Communication and presentation
- Leadership and teamwork
- Strategic thinking
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, statistics, or a related field.
- Proven experience in demand planning, inventory management, or a related field with a track record of successful forecast accuracy.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manipulate and interpret data.
- In-depth knowledge of demand forecasting principles and advanced planning systems.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with all levels of the organization.
- Proven leadership skills with experience in team management and development.
- Ability to manage complex projects and multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in ERP and advanced planning software such as SAP APO, Oracle Demantra, or similar.
Responsibilities
- Develop high-quality demand forecasts using historical data, market trends, and statistical models.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams including sales, marketing, and operations to gather insights and align on forecast assumptions.
- Monitor actual sales against forecasts to identify variances and adjust plans accordingly.
- Lead monthly demand planning meetings to review forecasts, inventory levels, and action plans.
- Utilize advanced forecasting software and methodologies to improve forecast accuracy.
- Drive continuous improvement in the demand planning process through analysis and strategic initiatives.
- Engage in S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) processes to ensure alignment between supply and demand.
- Provide mentorship and guidance to junior demand planning staff.
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