Senior Demand Planner

Gordon Food Service•Wyoming, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Demand Planner leads planning and consensus discussions between the Demand Team, Sales Leadership, General Managers, and Category Management leaders. The role analyzes, adjusts, and reviews statistical forecasts using product movement, seasonality, industry and market trends, and anticipated sales probabilities. Performance is measured through forecast accuracy and bias using statistical modeling and consensus planning. The position focuses on continuous improvement in customer in-stock performance, inventory turns, product loss, and capacity planning, and serves as a peer leader who supports team planning and projects. The planner develops and maintains accurate statistical forecasts incorporating market intelligence from customer segments, reviews historical and seasonal sales trends, evaluates promotional activity, and uses reporting and statistical methods to improve forecast quality and forecast value-add. The role works with stakeholders on segment-level analysis, KPI improvement, financial and demand forecast gap analysis, and planning for events, item transitions, limited-time offerings, new business, and discontinued products. It also trains Education Segment Sales representatives on the Customer Demand Planner tool, communicates significant demand changes to Replenishment Planners, and supports leadership meetings and responsibilities as needed. The position follows a hybrid schedule: four days onsite at the Wyoming, Michigan Home Office and one day from home, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Requirements

Ability to lead a team and interact with leaders in other departments or roles, develop relationships, lead meetings, and follow up with collaborating team members.
Self-directed, with the ability to handle distractions, repetition, prioritization, workload fluctuations, and ambiguity.
Proficiency in statistical concepts and forecasting methods.
Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to multitask, prioritize, and execute efficient work processes.
Knowledge of customer-service principles and processes, including assessing customer needs, meeting service quality standards, and evaluating customer satisfaction.
Ability to solve complex problems and develop solutions using analysis, coordination, innovation, and established precedents and policies where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Statistics, or a related field.
Four or more years of experience in the food industry or supply chain management.

Responsibilities

Conduct segment-level analysis and reporting for each Division, focusing on key customers, new items, and category initiatives.
Support, coach, and educate team members on best practices; develop and implement innovative ideas.
Lead cross-departmental projects to develop and implement best practices and represent the team's needs.
Analyze historical trends and address concerns and opportunities with Sales Leadership, General Managers, and Category Management Leadership.
Lead consensus planning meetings for assigned Regions and provide team members direction on action items.
Initiate planning solutions with key stakeholders.
Evaluate weekly segment KPIs to identify and communicate areas for improvement.
Build relationships with and train Sales representatives supporting the Education Segment on the Customer Demand Planner tool.
Review financial and demand forecasts and complete gap analyses.
Continually identify innovations to enhance the supply chain.
Analyze seasonal historical sales trends and research demand drivers to prepare forecast data and reporting for collaboration with stakeholders.
Develop reporting and explore ways to use data and statistical methods to improve demand forecast quality and generate forecast value-add.
Assist leadership with key meetings and cover leadership responsibilities when needed.
Develop and maintain accurate statistical forecasts incorporating market intelligence gathered through collaboration with customer segments, and support other team members in this process.
Analyze divisional and corporate promotional activities to improve statistical forecasting and provide scorecards on key performance measures to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
Communicate significant demand changes to Replenishment Planners when they may warrant adjustments to fulfillment parameters.
Adjust demand forecasts for future events, item transitions, limited-time offerings, new business, and product discontinuations.
Participate in functional teams and propose ideas to improve forecasting systems and business processes, including seasonal planning and statistical exceptions management.
Perform other duties as assigned.