Associate, Demand Planner (Contract)

Driven by a bold pursuit of science and fueled by an unwavering commitment to patients, Sun Pharma is a leading global pharmaceutical company, providing high-quality medicines trusted by healthcare professionals and patients.

As part of our mission to Reach People and Touch Lives, we deliver Innovative Medicines, Generics and Consumer Healthcare products that improve the lives of millions of people. With a broadly diversified portfolio of products that span multiple therapeutic areas, we improve access to effective, affordable treatments that promote better health and well-being.

Job purpose

The Associate Demand Planner is responsible for owning the end-to-end demand planning process, ensuring highly accurate demand signals are developed, aligned, and transmitted to supplying sites, and that timely, sufficient supply is received to meet customer and business requirements.

This role acts as a critical bridge between commercial teams and supply planning/manufacturing sites, ensuring demand transparency, supply reliability, and optimal inventory outcomes. The incumbent will lead consensus forecasting, drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy, and proactively mitigate supply risk through close collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders and global manufacturing sites.

Duties and responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and continuously improve statistical and consensus demand forecasts at SKU levels.
• Ensure accurate, timely, and actionable demand signals are communicated to supplying plants.
• Analyze historical sales, market trends, promotional activities, and external drivers to enhance forecast accuracy.
• Measure and report forecast performance (e.g., Forecast Accuracy, Bias), and implement corrective actions.
• Utilize a collaborative and consensus approach by working with Sales, Marketing, Customer Service and Finance to obtain and ensure that current and accurate information is used for demand forecasts.
• Achieve consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process incorporating stakeholder input from Sales, Marketing and Finance.
• Continuously analyze and evaluate current Finished Goods inventory to avoid market shortages.
• Proactively identify supply risks, constraints, and potential shortages, and drive mitigation plans with plant.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to excess, obsolete, or short-dated inventory.
• Provide input to the Supply Planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs.
• Leverage data analytics tools and systems (Kinaxis) to enhance insight generation.
• Prepare and maintain relevant reports pertaining to the demand planning process.
• Communicate shortages or critical items required to execute committed plan (supply vs. commit).
• Meet on a monthly basis with respective teams to review sales and future opportunities.
• Monthly S&OP’s meeting with respective plants to review master production schedule.
• Manage consignment inventory with customers.
• Responsible for maintaining constant relationship with the plants
• Review Month on Hand, update comments as required.
• Complete all GMP Documentation correctly and in a timely manner
• Complete all training assignments and maintain personal training records
• To work with the plant’s validation team to confirm validation and exhibit batches status.
  
  

Additional responsibility (Only applicable to customer facing roles)

Report any adverse event received from customers for company products to the pharmacovigilance department / Drug Safety on the same day or within 1 business day

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong expertise in demand planning, forecasting methodologies, and supply chain processes.
• Demonstrated ability to translate demand signals into actionable supply requirements.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in data interpretation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Strong communication and influencing capabilities, including senior leadership presentations.
• High level of proficiency in Excel, SAP, Kinaxis (or equivalent), and data visualization tools.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with competing priorities.
• Demonstrated negotiation skills with the goal of reaching outcomes that gain the support and acceptance of all parties.

Qualifications

• Graduate Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field is required.
• Three to five years of relevant experience in in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain roles is required (CPG, food, or pharmaceutical preferred).
• Experience working with advanced planning systems, SAP and Kinaxis is preferred.
• Working knowledge of production planning (MRP) systems, Microsoft Office and excellent excel skills is required.
• Good analytical skills.
• APICS/CPIM/CSCP certification is an asset.
• Good analytical skills.
• Process improvement mindset with ability to enhance productivity and reduce non-value-added work.

Working conditions

• Office environment
• Some travel may be required.

Physical requirements

Based out of Brampton 5 days a week

This is a 6 months contract role.

This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The presently-anticipated base compensation pay range for this position is $69, to $86,. Actual base compensation may vary based on a number of factors, including but not limited to geographical location and experience.

The compensation and benefits described above are subject to the terms and conditions of any governing plans, policies, practices, agreements, or other materials or documents as in effect from time to time, including but not limited to terms and conditions regarding eligibility. If hired, the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company, or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees as assigned to this job. Nothing herein shall preclude the employer from changing these duties from time to time and assigning comparable duties or other duties commensurate with the experience and background of the incumbent(s).

We provide equal employment opportunities for all current employees and applicants for employment. This policy means that no one will be discriminated against because of race, religion, creed, color, ethnic origin, citizenship, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, gender identity, gender expression or any other ground protected by applicable human rights legislation.

The Company uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess or select applicants.

Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, Inc. (Sun) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Sun employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Sun. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.