Demand Planner
Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA

Job Info

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The Demand Planner is responsible for maintaining the forecast in the ERP system and the daily management of forecast operations, coordination with marketing and sales on forecast requirements, analyze forecast vs. usage while maintaining service levels and reducing inventory levels, assists with project releases, planning and scheduling, improve processes and reduce costs.

Primary Functions:

• Facilitate the consensus process on a monthly basis between Customer forecasts, gathered by sales - together with Marketing forecasts developed by product managers.
• Document and challenge forecast assumptions based upon the analysis of market data, industry statistics and market dynamics.
• Measure and report forecast accuracy at customer, market and product levels.
• Maintain and use the forecast error data to quantify inventory strategies required to meet customer service targets.
• Manage the integration of information between various systems as well as ensuring that new product and discontinued product are added or removed from the system.
• Analyze historical product demand patterns, trends and other business information in the development of monthly demand plan
• Revise demand plan and recommend changes on a monthly basis based on actual usage, trends, wins/losses, new product introductions, and revised sales plans.
• Review and analyzes large amounts of planning data to prepare reports and recommendations for management review and decision making
• Collaborate with key partners in marketing, sales, and finance to obtain consistent demand plan inputs and address input gaps that may arise
• Be the day-to-day point of contact for Supply planning, including the master scheduler, to manage change and balance supply and demand to achieve the optimal balance of customer responsiveness and production stability. Assist in the resolution of issues involving order promising, deviations to planned finished goods inventory levels, establishment and utilization of safety stock, and customer delivery difficulties. Participate in the development of what-if simulations to resolve demand/supply balances.
• Identify new demand planning techniques and methodologies and to upgrade/simplify existing demand planning models and tools as necessary
• Work with production planning and inventory planning to translate the demand plan into an operational plan
• Ensure successful customer promotion execution through effective planning and leveraging of key customer event inputs.
• Identify, recommend, and lead continuous improvement projects to improve service levels, utilization of inventory and process efficiency.
• Meet regularly with cross-functional partners to discuss the impact of key company objectives and initiatives, new product and service introductions, promotions, and seasonal planning will have on inventory, the distribution network and vendors.
• Engage in forecasting of new item launches from ideation to production to ensure success
• Aid in the communication flow of changes to forecast and disseminates information to all stakeholders accordingly
• Report on forecast accuracy and does necessary analysis to determine root cause of error in an effort to continuously improve numbers
• Work with Inventory Analysts on obsolescence reviews and act as point of first contact for problem resolution
• Identify ways to improve forecasting processes and tools
• Track and reconciles weekly/monthly metrics versus established targets
• Support annual planning process

Qualifications/Skills and Knowledge Requirements

• MBA or master's degree in management, operations analysis, engineering, quantitative analysis, business administration, or closely related field required.
• 2 - 3 years of experience in production/inventory/forecasting environment
• Strong experience with forecasting application software
• Exceptional analytical skills and statistical knowledge with thorough attention to detail
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills
• Experience reviewing inventory turns by category and providing reports for trend analysis
• APICS certified (American Production Inventory Certification Society) a plus
• Strong analytical and process management skills
• Extensive knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and Word

Equal Opportunity Employer: disability / veteran. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Massimo Zanetti Beverage USA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace environment for our family of employees. MZB-USA recruits and advances qualified applicants without regard to race, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, age, religion, marital status, military service, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, or any other status protected by law. MZB-USA also prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind and is fully dedicated to the safety of its workforce.

General Statement: This is a summary description of the general duties and level of work assigned to this position. It is not a full and comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities and tasks.

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