Manager, AI (Artificial Intelligence) Strategy & Demand

Whirlpool•Benton Harbor, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager, AI Strategy & Demand Operations is a strategic leader and operational driver within the US Sales Strategy & Business Operations team for KitchenAid Small Appliances. This onsite role is based at Whirlpool Corporation’s Global Headquarters in Benton Harbor, Michigan. It leads the transition from manual forecasting to automated, AI-driven demand forecasting, using artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, and process automation to improve working capital and product availability and scale AI capabilities across the US sales and fulfillment network. The position connects merchandising, sales, production planning, and manufacturing. The role champions AI adoption, leads the operational transition to automated demand and dynamic forecasting systems, and establishes governance, change management, and training so teams can appropriately validate or override automated outputs. It oversees baseline and unconstrained demand operations across US retail channels, supports order planning and promotional alignment, and connects demand insights to production, safety stock, logistics, financial targets, and inventory decisions. The position also supports collaborative planning with retail partners and uses forecast performance metrics to guide continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 3 years of experience in supply chain and demand planning.
At least 2 years of experience in inventory, supply planning, forecasting, or Sales & Operations (S&OP) planning.
Strong analytical, organizational, decision-making, communication, and presentation skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Business, or a related supply-chain field.
At least 2 years of experience using SAP/APO, Anaplan, or other demand-planning and forecasting software.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional transformation and scale new technologies and workflows across sales, operations, and leadership teams.
Expertise with AI/ML-driven planning platforms such as SAP IBP or Anaplan.
Familiarity with data environments and workflow automation or GenAI integrations, including Google enterprise platforms such as Notebook LM, Gems, and Agents, and Alteryx.
Strong interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills for interacting with teams and stakeholders at all levels.
Proficiency in data mining, forecasting, and forecasting methods, with understanding of financial and operational impacts such as product availability and free cash flow.
Understanding of the general marketing environment, competitive activities, and factors that affect forecasts.
Experience with Windows and Microsoft Office software.

Responsibilities

Champion AI within the US Small Appliances business unit and drive adoption of machine learning, generative AI, and predictive algorithms across demand operations.
Lead the transition from legacy forecasting methods to automated demand and dynamic forecasting systems.
Establish governance and change-management frameworks, and train team members on validating or overriding automated model outputs.
Oversee end-to-end baseline and unconstrained demand operations across Mass Retail, Department Stores, Club, E-Commerce, and Direct-to-Consumer channels.
Lead Order Planning, recommend operational forecast adjustments, and review promotional plans with Merchandising and Sales Channels to gain alignment.
Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, evaluate forecast results, and explain variances.
Connect AI-generated demand insights with production, safety stock positioning, and domestic and global supply-partner logistics strategies.
Support Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment initiatives with major US retail partners to improve end-to-end channel visibility.
Align demand plans with financial target cycles and map volumetric predictions to revenue, margin, and working-capital outcomes.
Analyze forecast performance metrics, including MAPE and BIAS, to identify root causes of error and advise cross-functional teams on inventory levels for active SKUs and product launches and phase-outs.

Benefits

Generous benefits package.
Whirlpool employee discount.
Fitness and educational reimbursement programs.
Kitchenettes.
Beautiful, recently renovated office space at the Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor locations.
Free coffee.
Biking and walking trails.
Access to The Eddy Early Childhood Center, subject to availability and additional costs.
Always On Flexibility to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments.
Two weeks of work from anywhere per year, in minimum one-week increments.
Four weeks of paid sabbatical leave after every five years of service.