Senior Demand Planning Analyst

Coates Group • Chicago, IL

6d

About The Position

The Demand Planning Analyst is responsible for developing, maintaining, and continuously improving the demand forecast across North America. This role plays a critical part in enabling accurate demand & supply planning, inventory optimization, and revenue predictability in a complex environment characterized by project-based hardware deployments, seasonality, and enterprise QSR customer dynamics. Reporting to the Senior S&OP Manager, NAM, this role serves as a key contributor to the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, ensuring alignment between Account Management, Finance, Supply Chain, and Customer Success. The analyst translates sales signals (leads & opportunities), pipeline intelligence, and historical trends into actionable demand plans that support strategic decision-making and operational execution.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Economics, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• 3–6+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, supply chain analytics, or related roles.
• Experience in a technology, hardware, SaaS, or hybrid business model preferred.
• Exposure to project-based or rollout-driven demand environments strongly preferred.
• Experience working with enterprise customers or in industries with seasonality (e.g., QSR, retail) is a plus.
• Familiarity with S&OP / IBP processes and cross-functional planning environments.
• Experience with forecasting and planning tools (e.g., Adaptive Planning, SAP IBP, Anaplan, Oracle, or similar) mandatory.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, ability to translate data into insights.
• Proficiency in Excel and data tools (e.g., SQL, BI platforms like Tableau/Power BI).
• Understanding of forecasting techniques (statistical models, regression, time series, etc.).
• Strong understanding of revenue drivers in both HW (project-based) and SaaS (recurring) models, ability to interpret sales pipelines and customer rollout strategies.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and evolving business environments, proactive, solutions-oriented approach to addressing forecasting challenges.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex data clearly to non-technical stakeholders, confidence in challenging assumptions and influencing cross-functional partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain statistically driven and consensus-based HW forecasts across NAM
• Incorporate multiple inputs including sales pipeline and deal probabilities, customer rollout schedules (e.g., enterprise QSR deployments), historical sales trends and seasonality patterns
• Manage separate forecasting methodologies for Project-based hardware deployments (lumpy, milestone-driven demand) & Recurring SaaS subscriptions (ramp curves, attach rates)
• Support and actively contribute to the monthly S&OP cycle including demand review preparation and facilitation & alignment with Sales, Finance, and Supply teams
• Ensure forecast assumptions, risks, and opportunities are clearly documented and communicated.
• Drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy and process maturity.
• Drive improvements in demand planning tools, systems, and data quality.
• Standardize forecasting methodologies and documentation.
• Support implementation of advanced planning systems or automation initiatives.
• Analyze forecast performance (e.g., forecast accuracy, bias) and identify root causes of variances.
• Provide actionable insights on demand trends and risks, seasonality impacts (e.g., QSR peak periods, holiday cycles), customer-specific demand patterns
• Build dashboards and reporting tools to enhance visibility and decision-making.
• Partner closely with Sales (pipeline validation, deal timing, customer insights), Finance (revenue alignment, budget vs. forecast reconciliation), Supply Chain (capacity planning, inventory positioning), Customer Success / Implementation teams (deployment schedules)
• Act as the central point of truth for demand signals across NAM.

Benefits

• annual market competitive bonus program
• Thrive Program which includes a suite of flexible work options
• dedicated time to prioritize our health and wellbeing (think virtual Yoga or meditation sessions)
• Global Wellness paid day off to recharge
• Give Back Day to allow our Crew an opportunity to make an impact in the community.

What This Job Offers

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