Demand Planner

Autocar Parts, LLC•Highland Park, IL

10d

About The Position

The Demand Planner develops and maintains accurate demand forecasts for assigned products and customers. The role combines historical demand, statistical forecasting, customer and market intelligence, and cross-functional input to produce an accurate, unbiased consensus demand plan. The Demand Planner works with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Product Management, Supply Planning, and Purchasing to identify demand changes, communicate risks and opportunities, and provide a dependable demand signal for business and supply chain decisions. Key outcomes include meeting and improving forecast accuracy goals, managing forecasts and new-item introductions, and coordinating and leading the S&OP process with internal stakeholders. The role also supports inventory reviews and continuous improvement of forecasting methods, systems, reporting, data quality, and demand-planning processes. A bachelor’s degree is required. At least two years of demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain planning experience in a distribution environment is required. The posting prefers a supply chain, logistics, or mathematics focus and an APICS or similar certification.

Requirements

At least 2 years of demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain planning experience in a distribution environment.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills, including statistical analysis.
Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills.
Working knowledge of S&OP, inventory planning, Supply Planning, and MRP.
Fully competent MRP skills.
Demand Planning experience and understanding of Supply Chain Planning, Inventory Planning, and Distribution Requirements Planning.
Ability to work independently under pressure, take initiative, and react quickly to changing priorities.

Nice To Haves

Long lead time procurement and kit planning experience.
Bachelor’s degree focused on supply chain, logistics, or mathematics.
APICS or similar certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain forecasts for assigned products, customers, and business segments using historical demand, statistical models, and business intelligence.
Monitor forecast accuracy and bias, investigate significant variances, and implement actions to improve forecast performance.
Work with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Product Management to evaluate customer, market, and business inputs and incorporate appropriate changes into the consensus forecast.
Prepare for and participate in monthly Demand-EPM and SIOP meetings, communicating forecast changes, assumptions, risks, and opportunities.
Manage demand forecasts for new-product introductions, promotions, supersessions, phase-ins, phase-outs, and other lifecycle events.
Monitor significant customer orders and unusual demand patterns and assess their impact on the forecast.
Maintain accurate forecasts and planning data within Demand-EPM and applicable planning and ERP systems.
Use exception-based planning to prioritize items requiring analysis and intervention.
Support excess and obsolete inventory reviews by providing demand outlooks and future consumption assumptions.
Identify opportunities to improve forecasting methods, systems, reporting, data quality, and Demand Planning processes.
Coordinate and lead the S&OP process with internal stakeholders.