Leader, Demand Planning

Newell Brands•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The L&D Customer Demand Planning Leader is a critical leadership role responsible for owning the demand planning process for distributor channels and other strategic customers. This position ensures accurate and reliable forecasts within the S&OP and S&OE frameworks, serving as key inputs for supply planning, inventory management, and financial alignment. The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Operations, Supply Planning, Finance, Marketing and Distributor Partners to align demand signals with business objectives and operational capabilities. As the leader of the L&D demand planning team, this individual drives Baby segment process excellence by preparing and presenting demand plans with clear assumptions, drivers, and risks, identifying gaps, and implementing countermeasures. He/She also monitors and improve process metrics to enhance forecast accuracy and performance. Success requires a proactive, resourceful individual with exceptional leadership skills, a strong analytical mindset, and the ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders toward common goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business Management or related technical field.
Minimum 5-7 years’ experience which includes:
Experience across multiple aspects of the supply chain with previous roles in inventory management, supply/production planning and/or demand planning.
Working in a CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) organization or a business-to-business supplier organization.
Proven experience in S&OP/S&OE processes and distributor channel management.
Technical understanding of ERP or bolt-on forecasting systems (SAP IBP preferred)
Proven ability and willingness to develop relationships with internal customers and internal functional partners
Expertise in data acquisition, spreadsheet/database development and analysis.
Experience utilizing Lean principles and tools (Flow, Pull, Kanban, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping, etc.).
Process large amounts of data and deliver a concise recommendation.
Influence others and drive cross-functional alignment.
Communicate at various organizational levels and back-up thoughts with facts.
Build strong, collaborative relationships with internal and external business partners.
Work effectively in a constantly changing, fast-paced team environment.
Manage your own schedule and exhibit flexibility to support multiple projects while meeting all deadlines.
Highly proficiency with Excel, Access, other MS Office applications, reporting and data warehouse and forecasting systems. SAP APO/IBP or Power BI experience is a plus.
Strong communication (written and verbal) skills with the ability to back-up thoughts with facts and analysis.
Strong results orientation and work ethic; able to work independently.
Occasional travel is required to Company, customer and/or partner locations in support of supply chain initiatives.

Nice To Haves

SAP APO/IBP or Power BI experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the demand planning process for assigned strategic and distributor channel customers across short-term (0–12 months) horizons, ensuring forecast accuracy and attainment. Clarify ambiguity, address bias, and develop approaches to new conditions to deliver unconstrained customer-level demand forecasts.
Develop consensus demand plans by integrating statistical baseline forecasts, customer insights, POS data, Innovation assumptions and promotional calendars. Drive alignment with Sales, Finance, and Marketing teams.
Assess customer-level POS forecasts, establish metrics, and facilitate guardrail forecasting related to promotions and expectations.
Lead forecast collaboration with Customer and Channel Trade teams to provide a baseline dollar forecast for alignment at lower levels.
Facilitate Baby segment demand review meetings within the S&OP cycle and manage S&OE execution windows to address fulfillment exceptions, risks, and disruptors.
Identify and quantify risks within the demand plan, review gaps with Customer and Trade teams, and implement appropriate countermeasures.
Partner with distributor teams to validate forecasts, manage replenishment requirements, and ensure alignment on promotional, innovation and seasonal activities.
Understand key business drivers at major customers to identify growth opportunities and risks to current plans.
Align trade marketing expectations internally through IBP/PRM processes and integrate development activities.
Review system-generated statistical forecasts for account-level SKU/DC inconsistencies and make adjustments using prior shipments, POS data, business trends, and upcoming promotions.
Manage demand history to realign forecasts based on item version changes, customer entity changes, and other factors.
Ensure all discrete forecasts are accurately entered into the system, including promotions, events, POGs, discontinued and new products, and version changes.
Monitor process metrics (forecast error, bias, attainment) and lead initiatives to improve accuracy, efficiency, and system capabilities. Investigate root causes of forecast errors, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement.
Own performance reporting, post-performance analysis, and predictive insights to inform strategic decisions.
Represent supply chain interests in cross-functional project teams to implement changes to business processes.
Act as a strategic thought leader and change agent, collaborating on initiatives that optimize service, inventory, and cost across the value chain.
Mentor and train team members on systems, processes, and best practices, fostering collaboration across business units.
Identify opportunities for improvement, make constructive recommendations, and drive results.