Sr Manager, Demand Planning

Palo Alto Networks•Office - USA - CA - Headquarters, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Our Mission At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place. Who We Are In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us! We believe collaboration thrives in person. That’s why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it’s needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes. Job Summary Palo Alto Networks is looking for an experienced and knowledgeable individual to manage processes and systems across Demand, Portfolio Management, Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and Sales and Operations Execution (S&OE). This role will manage end to end processes for balancing demand and supply choices and has the accountability to assist and manage the identification and resolution of plan variances, inventory, cost and service optimization in alignment to the business objectives. The planning manager is expected to develop and maintain strong professional relationships with cross functional teams, such as GTM (Go To Market), Product Management, Supply Chain Program and Materials Mgmt, Logistics and Finance to reconcile top-down financial plans with the bottom-up operational plans. The position will report to the Director, Planning. This role will also help drive the continuous improvement of the planning processes and frameworks (S&OP and S&OE), as well as contributing to special projects (including automation) and other supply chain and business strategy initiatives. We are looking for a well-rounded individual who encompasses excellent analytical, communication, people and leadership skills with strong business and commercial acumen. They should be able to work under pressure and cross-functionally, to drive sound decision making with a result-oriented focus. They should also be able to quickly identify deviations from expected results and other disruptions and should be able to promptly lead their team to resolve any issues, fostering a high performance and engaged culture. This individual should also have excellent presentation skills.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in demand / supply role with experience in The modern supply chain, Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP)
Thorough understanding of end-to-end planning and supply chain management
Experience in using and improving systems (Planning Related)
Proven people management experience
Knowledge of processes in sales, product management, finance and manufacturing.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects at once.
Demonstrated ability to achieve KPIs like plan accuracy improvement, process adherence, inventory turns
Proactive self-starter with ability to deal with changing priorities and environment
Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal), role requires presentations to executives
Ability to develop relationships and work in a team environment
Ability to lead automation projects for planning processes

Nice To Haves

Experience utilizing AI to gain efficiency in your day to day

Responsibilities

Manage demand and portfolio management teams (including NPI and EOL) while driving optimization of a S&OP forecast that drives the manufacturing build plan and decisions for last time buys.
Develop monthly S&OP input (medium- or long-term demand plans), evaluate supply plans generated and inventory implications from it.
Drive continuous improvements in forecast and planning models/processes, planning systems, reporting, teams and processes.
Facilitate and lead continuous analysis around changing demand, supply performance and provide input to improvement initiatives to optimize inventory, reduce obsolescence across the network, while maintaining desired level of service levels for customers.
Work with business unit leadership to generate a consensus demand plan, consensus supply plan and a final S&OP plan.
Ability to run and create new forecasting models based on statistical data to predict future demand and lead AI driven forecasting initiatives with the team
Influence and collaborate with key partners in product management, sales, Go To Market, operations and finance and address input gaps as identified by forecast error, volatility review, supplier performance, supply constraints and other means.
Drive both S&OP and S&OE, work with relevant stakeholders and business leadership to discuss the potential risks and opportunities associated with changes to demand and the supply.
Ensure that demand and supply plans are shared/received at the level of detail and timing required by all customers and supply chain partners, with documented assumptions, to achieve the various business objectives.
Collaborate with various cross-functional teams on projects such as new product launches, GTM Promotions/Programs, and any other supply chain impacting strategies and be able to showcase sound business decision making aligned with company goals.
Partner with our contract manufacturer on key initiatives and also work with the supply planning lead to ensure the supply plan aligns with thresholds and expectations at their end.
KPI Management: Able to develop, manage and monitor KPIs around S&OP, S&OP, Supply Demand Planning and Inventory.
Ability to manage planning related activities to ensure smooth closure of quarter ends.