Sr. Manager, Demand Planning - Nerds & International

Ferrara•Chicago, IL

19d•$114,450 - $160,230•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr. Manager, Demand Planning leads the Demand Planning team responsible for the demand-planning consensus forecast process within the corporate S&OP process. The role’s primary responsibility is to create an accurate demand plan and ensure the right inventory is available at the right location and time to meet financial plans, inventory targets, and customer-service goals. The manager develops strategies, implements directives, improves efficiencies, and ensures consistent planning methodologies across channels. This is a working-manager role that also develops forecasts for assigned products, customers, or channels. The position partners with sales, marketing, project managers, and supply planning teams; presents forecasts and their assumptions, risks, and opportunities; and leads demand-side inputs to annual planning. It analyzes business drivers and forecast performance, manages root-cause analysis and improvement plans, and supports continuous improvement of demand planning and S&OP processes. The work location is Chicago, with in-person attendance for most of the workweek (three or more days) considered essential.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in business, statistics, mathematics, economics, supply chain management, or a similar field.
At least 5 years of experience in supply chain, demand planning, or a related field.
At least 3 years of experience managing direct reports.
At least 3 years of demand forecasting experience.
Deep understanding of forecasting analytics and statistical modeling methodologies.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly to varied audiences and seniority levels, including senior leadership.
Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional partnerships and foster collaboration.
Demonstrated leadership and development of direct reports.
Demonstrated success working in a matrixed organization.
Experience with continual process-improvement methods.
Experience in the industry or in a CPG environment.
Proven track record of tangible impact to the top or bottom line.

Responsibilities

Lead the Demand Planning team in creating and maintaining monthly and weekly statistical and adjusted demand plans across product categories and channels.
As a working manager, develop monthly and weekly forecasts for assigned products, customers, or channels.
Partner with marketing, sales, and project managers to forecast new product initiatives and ensure product availability for launches.
Own the demand-alignment process with sales and marketing; present the S&OP forecast for the assigned business unit, including key assumptions, risks, and opportunities.
Lead demand-side inputs to the annual planning process.
Partner with the business unit supply planning manager or team to translate forecasts into actionable supply-chain plans that optimize inventory and maximize customer service.
Analyze business drivers—including point-of-sale data, market share, product data, inventory requirements, and competitive activity—and improve forecasting processes with the demand team.
Work with sales and category management to understand the relationship between trade spending and volume.
Manage the root-cause process and lead plans for continuous improvement in forecast accuracy.
Ensure best practices are followed in monthly S&OP and weekly demand planning, and drive continuous improvement in the S&OP process.
Build and maintain strong relationships with marketing, sales, and other functional teams to enhance business performance.
Perform other duties as assigned.