Demand Planner

GVW Group • Highland Park, IL

2d

About The Position

The Demand Planner develops and maintains accurate demand forecasts for assigned products and customers at Autocar Parts. The role combines historical demand, statistical forecasting, customer and market intelligence, and cross-functional input to produce an accurate, unbiased consensus demand plan. The planner works with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Product Management, Supply Planning, and Purchasing to identify changes in demand, communicate risks and opportunities, and provide a reliable demand signal for business and supply-chain decisions.

The role is accountable for improving forecast accuracy, managing forecasts and new-item introductions, and coordinating the S&OP process with internal stakeholders. It includes maintaining planning data, reviewing forecast performance, managing lifecycle events, and identifying improvements to forecasting methods, systems, reporting, data quality, and demand-planning processes.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of Demand Planning, forecasting, or supply-chain planning experience in a distribution environment.
• Bachelor’s degree required; supply chain, logistics, or mathematics focus preferred.
• Demand Planning experience; long lead-time procurement and kit planning experience is helpful.
• 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.
• 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

• Supply chain, logistics, or mathematics focus for the required bachelor’s degree.
• Experience with long lead-time procurement and kit planning.
• 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.
• Partner 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 outlook 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.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• A high-impact role with significant ownership and growth opportunities.
• A collaborative culture built on accountability, teamwork, and customer success.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level