Demand Planning Manager

Job Title: Demand Planning Manager

Location: 405 The West Mall, Etobicoke, ON M9C 5J1

About Us:

Welcome to Lactalis Canada! We’re proud to be Canada’s #1 branded dairy company and to be consistently recognized as one of the country’s top employers by Forbes. Our purpose is to enrich and nurture the lives of Canadians by offering the best of dairy from Canada’s favourite dairy brands like Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Balderson, Astro and Lactantia. In fact, our products can be found in over 90% of Canadian refrigerators in any given time. As part of Lactalis Group, the world’s leading dairy company, we remain focused on innovation and quality and are seeking like-minded individuals to join us as we continue our growth journey.

Our flexible hybrid work model accommodates 40% remote work, adapting to the evolving needs of our workforce. Step into a collaborative hub with our revamped office, and enjoy free parking, endless coffee, delicious Lactalis snacks, an on-site gym, and more!

About the opportunity:

The Demand Planning Manager is responsible for leading and executing the demand planning process over the full horizon. The position has direct responsibility for:

• Leading the development and maintenance of the 36-month demand plan, collecting the appropriate assumptions, risks and opportunities from the business across the horizon
• Generating a statistical baseline forecast, incorporate promotional volume from Sales, and incorporate longer term demand expectations from Division. Validate demand plan from multiple sources with Division/Sales for quality.
• Serving as the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) Demand Review Process leader, accountable for preparation and orchestration of the review as well as completing process elements and communicating to other IBP steps.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Manage Demand Planning team in a continuous improvement manner. Provide leadership to staff by hiring, reviewing performance and providing feedback, determining training and development needs, establishing goals and priorities and providing work direction.

1. Process owner for all Demand Planning processes including producing the Demand Plan, latest estimates (LE) and participate in budget development by collecting and validating assumptions from Sales and Marketing and incorporating with the statistical forecast.

1. Manage demand planning system data including maintenance-hierarchy, proportions/routings, statistical models and desegregation in an advanced planning system.

1. Drive improvements to demand plan accuracy. Measure forecast accuracy and report variances to Sales, Trade Marketing and Supply Planning.

• Collaborate with Sales and Trade Marketing to obtain a consensus forecast for baseline and promotions and to develop forecasts for new items or line extensions. Measure performance and provide feedback in the area of promotional lifts to drive forecast accuracy.
• Collaborate with Supply Planning to ensure a full understanding of short-term changes and overall demand requirements.

5. Process owner for Demand Review process including development of the consensus demand plan and communicating demand requirements to Supply Planning.

6. Ensure that the demand plan is appropriately translated into the different views and different levels of detail required by other stakeholders in the business.

7. Monitor demand plan execution in the short-term horizon to proactively identify situations where demand plan tolerances may be exceeded (abnormal demand). Recommend corrective actions to be taken, including demand shaping.

8. Provide direction to Customer Service / Customer Collaboration and Logistics to ensure customer service levels are achieved while keeping within budgets and guidelines.

9. Ensure smooth and cost effective planning of new product introductions and SKU discontinuations by managing inventory and demand; coordinating plans/actions with Supply Planning, Plants, Sales, and Customer Service.

The attributes we are looking for:

• Ability to build strong collaborative relationships (Operations, Supply Planning, Sales, Trade Marketing) while still acting as a catalyst for optimizing costs and fill rates
• Ability to provide leadership cross functionally with influencing skills
• Ability to handle pressure/conflicting demands and work within structured time-lines
• Ability to coach, lead, and manage staff
• Able to work efficiently in a fast paced, team environment with a strong sense of urgency and a focus on results
• Team player, understanding the needs, requirements and priorities of other functional groups
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong problem solving and decision making skills
• Strong Knowledge of ERP/Planning systems preferably SAP and Kinaxis
• Proficient with standard office computer technology such as Microsoft Office products and advanced proficiency MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and PowerBI
• Bilingual in French is an asset

What Lactalis will offer:

Lactalis Canada believes in rewarding its people with the following comprehensive benefits package and perks:

• A Competitive Base Salary
• A Performance-Based Bonus System
• 4 Weeks of Vacation
• Benefits starting day 1
• A Pension Program with an Employer Match at 100% of up to 6%
• Tuition reimbursement plan of up to $3,000/year
• A Volunteer Day to give back to your community
• Learning and Development opportunities
• A commitment to internal career advancement with potential for international mobility

Our ESG commitment:

Our ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap drives our sustainability mission. We aim to positively impact communities and the planet by enabling stakeholders including our people, consumers, customers, suppliers, dairy farmers, government, and industry partners to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of our communities and the planet through all that we do.

At Lactalis Canada, we value our employees as catalysts for positive change. Together, we will create a sustainable future, promote belonging, and make a lasting impact on the world.

Our commitment to DEI:

Fuel Our Culture with Your Uniqueness! Lactalis thrives on the value each person brings. We're dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, inviting personal and professional growth, and embracing everyone's true selves. We're committed to crafting an environment that genuinely welcomes all, reflecting the richness of our people and communities. We apply an equal access to employment program and invite women, aboriginal people, visible minorities, and people with disabilities to apply.

Our promise extends to accessible processes and spaces. If you require accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary, or permanent), please inform our Talent Acquisition team – confidentiality will be maintained.

Note: Lactalis Canada does not conduct credit or background checks through . If required, we'll contact you after signing a Job Offer.

Compensation:

As part of our commitment to fairness, trust, and transparency and our ambition to be an Employer of Choice, the base salary range for this position is $99 100 – $123 900+.

Please note: Along with a comprehensive Total Rewards package, your actual base salary will be fair, competitive, and be based on your skills, experience, and qualifications.