Planner, Demand Sensing

Job Description

Position Summary

This role is responsible for providing real-time insights to enhance the accuracy of the demand forecast by leveraging new technologies to incorporate current market conditions and rapidly adjust forecasts as needed. They will run predictive analysis and assist in generating an accurate forecast by considering a variety of factors such as weather, latest market trends, holidays, and other macro-economic indicators.

This role will support the S&OE and S&OP Leadership Teams in key activities such as forecast projections for key meetings and Executive communication, system integrity and improvement, and scenario development.

Role Responsibilities:

• Leverage advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms to generate short-term and mid-term forecasts based on the current realities of consumer behavior.
• Applying advanced forecasting techniques to improve demand predictions' precision and responsiveness.
• Capture current demand signals/trends that may impact demand by using and analyzing market intelligence data, (Circana, etc), past and near term weather events, holiday impacts, consumer behavior changes and macro-economic conditions.
• Lead weekly S&OE meetings in collaboration with S&OE Manager to review recent forecast performance metrics, discuss variances or adjustments needed to near term forecasts, and align on demand scenario to publish. These insights will enable S&OE team to produce, deploy and balance network to meet near term demand forecast. In turn, Demand Sensing Planner will capture insights from S&OE team related to recent or upcoming inventory shortages that could have impact on depletions performance.
• Mark and categorize outlier events (weather, inventory issues, etc) to distinguish between incorrect and abnormal history. This will prevent overstating the impact in the forecast created by the statistical model and provide better explainability of demand performance in post game analysis with Data Science and Demand Planning teams.
• Able to develop various "what if" scenarios thru the utilization of key drivers and drive cross functional consensus alignment, as well as identify risks and opportunities.
• Reviews wholesaler forecasts within the 0-13 week window, identifying potential future issues, responding to changing sales trends, and coordinating appropriate corrective actions.

• Communicates and leads calls with sales, marketing and supply chain groups to calculate detailed forecasts as needed. Makes recommendations on actions needed to meet actual and forecasted demand.

• Provides actionable insights at the Distributor-Item Level (such as market and brand specific trend shifts, competitor actions, distribution changes, and climate patterns) to the Demand Planning team for utilization in updating the long-term (3-24 months) forecast time horizon and explainability.
• Relates, measures, and drives action from established KPI's (Weekly Accuracy and Bias, etc.) for S&OE depletions projections.

• Foster strong relationships with demand and S&OE planners, data science and sales teams to integrate relevant data and insights to drive forecasting enhancements.
• Ability to own, present and drive consensus of overall S&OE projections within weekly cross-functional meetings.
• Ensure structure of meetings through setting agendas, facilitating and participating in cross-functional discussions, and driving prompt decision-making with stakeholders in supporting the overall S&OE Demand Sensing Process.
• Demonstrates effective communication that is genuine, authentic, concise, and persuasive in both written and oral communication.

• Challenge the status quo to improve S&OE Demand Sensing processes and tools.
• Applies Agile methodology and framework for developing and maintaining real-time performance tracking and data visualization
• Drive continuous improvement efforts to improve Forecast Accuracy that support overarching OTIF and Cost per case performance.
• Stay updated and apply relevant industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in Demand Sensing, Integrated Business Planning and Supply Chain Management.

• Strong analytical, critical thinking, & problem-solving skills with proven ability of consolidating and analyzing large volumes of data, with the ability to tell a compelling data-driven story to drive consensus for action.
• Expertise in data visualization and business intelligence tools
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate well across all levels of the organization.
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to work with both internal and external customers.
• Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions, recommend viable solutions to issues, mediate conflicts, and lead data-gathering meetings to successful resolutions.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Exhibits Integrity: Supporting teams in tough times, taking responsibility for issues under their purview and helping others without expecting something in return.
• Demonstrates ability to be Adaptive: Enable flexibility and support that fits the organization's unique needs.

• Passion to challenge the status quo and find new solutions and drive out of the box ideas - loves and embraces change.
• Believes in a non-hierarchical culture of collaboration, transparency, safety, and trust.
• Not afraid to "roll up the sleeves" and seeks to go outside comfort zone to learn - pushes teams to do the same.
• Empowers others to fail, learn, and grow.
• Comfortable and experience bringing structure to ambiguity.
• Possesses a spirit of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and innovation.

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain or related field, a minimum of 3-5 years' experience in a Supply Chain role, preferably 1-2 years in demand planning role.
• Proven knowledge of standard concepts, practices, and procedures within the CPG/Beverage Alcohol industry
• Strong collaborator with cross-functional teams from Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance, and digital technology teams
• Proven knowledge and understanding of standard planning practices, technology and supporting industry principles.
• Experience in developing data-based projections through understanding and explaining the why's, interpreting trends and recognizing patterns in data.

• CPG Experience (specific to beverage alcohol industry a plus)
• APICS and/or IBF Certification
• O9 Solutions experience

• Two days in the Chicago Office; other days as business needs require
• Must be at least 21 years of age. Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time and work on a computer for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Must be willing and able to travel up to 10%.