About the Role:

A Demand Planner Lead plays a critical role in forecasting, analyzing trends, and managing inventory to meet customer demands effectively. Your role will involve collaborating with various departments to gather data, analyze trends, and forecast demand for our products/services accurately. You will co-lead a team of demand planners, providing guidance, support, and ensuring the development of robust demand plans that align with our business objectives, owing specific horizontal projects to boos the organization and the business across LAC.

The Demand Planner Lead will be expected to display the flowing amongst other skills to be successful:

• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze large sets of data, interpret trends, and forecast demand accurately. This involves understanding statistical methods, forecasting techniques, and data analysis tools.
• Forecasting Expertise: Proficiency in demand forecasting methods and models such as time series analysis, regression analysis, and causal forecasting. Experience with demand planning software and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.
• Market Understanding: A deep understanding of market dynamics, including factors that influence demand such as consumer behavior, economic trends, and industry developments.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication skills are essential for collaborating with cross-functional teams including sales, marketing, production, and logistics. The ability to convey complex information clearly and facilitate consensus among stakeholders is crucial.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Demand planner lead must be adept at identifying potential supply chain issues and developing strategies to mitigate risks. This requires critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills are necessary to coordinate demand planning activities, set priorities, and meet deadlines effectively.
• Attention to Detail: Accuracy is paramount in demand planning, as small errors in forecasting can lead to significant supply chain disruptions or excess inventory costs.
• Knowledge of Supply Chain Management: A comprehensive understanding of supply chain processes, including inventory management, production scheduling, and logistics, is essential for demand planner lead to optimize operations and minimize costs. This must also include portfolio optimization understanding.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset: The ability to identify areas for process improvement and implement best practices to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of demand planning processes.
• Leadership and Team Management: In senior roles, the ability to lead and mentor regional demand planners, providing guidance, training, and support to ensure the team's success.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaboration across different departments and functions within the organization is critical for successful demand planning. demand planners lead must foster strong relationships with stakeholders to align goals and drive business outcomes.
• Strategic Thinking: demand planner lead should have a strategic mindset, capable of aligning demand planning initiatives with broader organizational objectives and contributing to long-term growth strategies.

• Sales Team: to gather market insights, customer feedback, and sales forecasts. This information helps in creating accurate demand forecasts.
• Marketing Team: to understand promotional plans, product launches, and marketing campaigns that could impact demand patterns.

• Product Development Team: to understand new product introductions, product changes, and discontinuations that can influence demand.
• Finance Team: to align demand forecasts with financial plans, budgets, and revenue targets.
• Operations Team: to ensure that production schedules, inventory levels, and supply chain capabilities are aligned with demand forecasts.
• Customers: to understand their demand patterns, preferences, and upcoming promotions or events that may impact sales.
• Suppliers: to obtain lead times, production schedules, and raw material availability information, which is essential for accurate demand planning.
• Logistics Providers: to optimize transportation, warehousing, and distribution processes based on demand forecasts and inventory levels.
• Retailers/Distributors: to exchange information on sales trends, inventory levels, and promotional activities.
• APO/OMP systems: for data analysis, demand forecasting, inventory management, and order processing.
• Supply Chain Management systems: to track inventory levels, monitor supplier performance, and optimize supply chain processes.
• Business Intelligence Tools: for data visualization, trend analysis, and reporting to support decision-making processes.

• Demand Forecasting: Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts for products or services based on historical data, market trends, and business intelligence.
• Collaboration: Work closely with sales, marketing, operations, and finance teams to gather insights, align on forecasting assumptions, and ensure cross-functional coordination.
• Inventory Management: Optimize inventory levels to meet customer service targets while minimizing excess or obsolete inventory risks.
• Data Analysis: Analyze demand patterns, SKU performance, and other relevant metrics to identify opportunities for improvement and drive decision-making.
• Forecast Accuracy Monitoring: Track forecast accuracy metrics and continuously improve forecasting models and methodologies to enhance overall performance.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Collaborate with supply chain partners to ensure alignment between demand forecasts and supply plans, minimizing stockouts and backorders.
• Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate potential risks to supply chain continuity, such as supplier disruptions, production constraints, or market fluctuations.
• Technology Utilization: Leverage demand planning software, statistical modelling tools, and advanced analytics techniques to enhance forecasting accuracy and efficiency.
• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline demand planning processes, implement best practices, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Reporting and Communication: Prepare and present demand planning reports, performance metrics, and actionable insights to stakeholders at various levels of the organization.

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business administration, statistics, or a related field. A master's degree or professional certification (e.g., APICS CPIM, IBF CPF) may be preferred.
• Several years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain management, preferably in a senior or leadership role.
• Proficiency in demand planning software, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret complex data sets and trends to inform decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Detail-oriented mindset with a focus on accuracy and precision in forecasting and inventory management processes.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, adapt to changing priorities, and effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of supply chain principles, inventory management techniques, and industry best practices.
• Problem-solving abilities and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential supply chain risks and disruptions.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development to stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and methodologies in demand planning and supply chain management.