Demand Planning Strategist

Position Summary: The Demand Planning Strategist is responsible for leading the organization’s demand forecasting strategy and driving forecasting excellence across the supply chain. This role owns the development, governance, and continuous improvement of forecasting models, demand planning processes, and the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) demand review.

The analyst leverages advanced analytics, market intelligence, and cross-functional collaboration to produce highly reliable demand forecasts that support strategic decision-making, production planning, and inventory optimization. In addition to generating forecasts, this role acts as a subject matter expert and strategic advisor, identifying demand risks, scenario planning opportunities, and long-term demand trends.

The successful incumbent works closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Production Planning, Procurement, and Executive Leadership to align business strategy with supply chain capabilities. This position also plays a key role in improving forecasting systems, implementing advanced analytics tools, and building scalable forecasting frameworks that enhance supply chain resilience and operational efficiency.

Essential Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Demand Planning Leadership & Forecast Strategy

• Own the end-to-end demand forecasting process and ensure alignment with corporate supply chain strategy.
• Lead development of short-term, mid-term, and long-term demand forecasts using statistical models, machine learning tools, and business intelligence inputs.
• Establish forecasting governance, standards, and best practices across product lines and markets.
• Identify structural demand drivers such as market growth, product lifecycle changes, pricing shifts, and macroeconomic indicators.
• Lead demand scenario modeling and risk analysis to support strategic planning and supply chain resilience.
• Act as the organization’s forecasting subject matter expert, providing guidance and mentorship to junior analysts.

Advanced Analytics & Data Insights

• Develop and implement advanced forecasting models, including time-series, regression, and predictive analytics techniques.
• Analyze complex datasets from ERP, CRM, POS, and external market data sources to uncover demand signals and trends.
• Track forecast accuracy metrics such as MAPE, bias, and forecast value add (FVA) and lead initiatives to improve performance.
• Design executive-level dashboards and demand analytics reports to support business decision-making.
• Identify demand variability drivers and recommend strategies to mitigate volatility.

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)

• Lead the Demand Review portion of the S&OP process, ensuring alignment between sales forecasts and operational capacity.
• Facilitate cross-functional demand consensus meetings with Sales, Finance, and Operations.
• Translate demand forecasts into actionable planning signals for production, procurement, and inventory management.
• Provide strategic recommendations during S&OP and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) meetings.

Cross-Functional Strategic Collaboration

• Partner with Sales and Marketing to incorporate promotions, pricing strategies, product launches, and customer insights into the forecast.
• Collaborate with Production Planning and Inventory teams to balance service levels, production capacity, and working capital.
• Work with Procurement to anticipate material requirements and supply risks.
• Support Finance with demand-driven revenue projections and scenario analysis.

Continuous Improvement & Capability Building

• Lead initiatives to modernize forecasting tools, analytics platforms, and planning processes.
• Support implementation or optimization of ERP/MRP and demand planning software.
• Develop forecasting playbooks, SOPs, and training materials for demand planning teams.
• Identify opportunities for automation and digital transformation in forecasting and reporting processes.
• Conduct root-cause analysis of forecast deviations and implement corrective improvements.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Industrial Engineering, Statistics, Economics, or related field.
• Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Data Science, Business Analytics, or MBA is preferred.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, supply chain analytics, or related roles, preferably in manufacturing or consumer goods environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading S&OP demand processes and cross-functional planning initiatives.
• Strong experience with ERP/MRP systems such as SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Experience implementing or managing forecasting systems or analytics tools is highly desirable.

Language & Communication Skills

• Ability to translate complex analytical insights into clear business recommendations.
• Prepare executive-level reports and demand planning presentations.
• Document forecasting methodologies, assumptions, and risk scenarios.
• Present demand strategies to senior leadership in S&OP / IBP meetings.
• Influence stakeholders across Sales, Finance, Operations, and Procurement.
• Facilitate cross-functional discussions to achieve demand consensus.

Physical Working Environment

• Corporate headquarters, office-based environment.
• Predominantly desk-based work involving data analysis, forecasting models, and business intelligence tools.
• Extended screen time working with spreadsheets, ERP systems, and analytics platforms.
• Occasional travel to:
• Manufacturing facilities
• Warehouses or distribution centers
• Key customer or supplier locations (as required).

Technical Skills

Forecasting & Analytics

• Advanced time-series forecasting methods
• Predictive analytics and demand modeling
• Forecast accuracy measurement (MAPE, bias, FVA)
• Scenario modeling and demand simulations

Data & Systems

• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Business Intelligence tools (Power BI, Tableau)
• ERP / MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics)
• Data analytics tools (Python, R, SQL) preferred

Supply Chain Expertise

• End-to-end supply chain planning
• Demand planning and forecasting
• Production planning and capacity analysis
• Inventory optimization and working capital management
• Lead time and supply risk analysis

Other Qualifications

• Strategic thinking and strong business acumen.
• Ability to interpret data and link forecasts to financial and operational impact
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to work in fast-paced, cross-functional environments.
• High attention to detail with strong organizational capabilities