Adventure Ready Brands
Demand Planning Manager
Adventure Ready Brands, Littleton, New Hampshire, us, 03561
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Demand Planning Manager is responsible for the effective management and continuous improvement of the monthly SKU-level Demand Planning process to ensure forecast accuracy. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of statistical forecasting for manufactured, assembled, and purchased finished goods. As a key member of the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) team, this role leads monthly Demand Review meetings and ultimately owns the Consensus Demand Plan, collaborating cross-functionally to gather key inputs to the demand plan from Sales and Marketing.
Essential Job Functions
Lead the Consensus Demand Planning process, including:
Utilize technology to create statistical forecasts, refining and adjusting for seasonality, historical data, industry trends, retailer point of sale data, and other qualitative considerations.
Lead cross-functional meetings with sales, marketing, and leadership to review historical forecast accuracy, incorporate additional insights into forward forecasts, identify / bridge gaps at customer and item levels, understand forecast opportunities/risks (upsides and downsides, scenario planning), and ensure alignment with broader business objectives (e.g., financial targets).
Publish and present the rolling 12-month Consensus Demand Plan as part of monthly S&OP cycle.
Collaborate closely with Sales and Brand teams to drive forecasts for new product launches.
Act as the escalation point for major changes in forecasts, working with supply-side (purchaser / planners) to identify and address potential product shortages.
Work with the Director of Purchasing & Planning and executive leadership to define the demand planning strategy, establish policies, resources and capabilities, and drive improvements to Demand Planning process.
Analyze and report on forecasting KPIs, including forecast accuracy measures.
Annually, extend the 12-month rolling consensus demand plan to next full fiscal year, as part of annual corporate budgeting process.
Lead or contribute to additional ad hoc strategic projects and initiatives. Representative examples of this work include participation in corporate budgeting process (annual budget and long-range planning), review of safety stock levels and strategies, evaluation and implementation of a different forecasting technology system/solution.
Requirements:
Degree in related field.
Proven leadership experience preferably within a Supply Chain organization coupled with the ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders.
5+ years of progressive experience in demand planning, preferably within the consumer products industry (forecasting for multiple channels: retail customers, distributors, and direct to consumer (DTC) / ecommerce).
Deep knowledge in planning processes: demand planning, new products introduction, and S&OP.
Experience leading the demand consensus processes in support of a structured S&OP cycle.
Exceptional experience utilizing Demand Planning technology, with the ability to identify and drive system improvements. (Microsoft Navision / Business Central & Lanham Demand Planning a plus).
High proficiency in data and analytics, with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts. Advanced level of Excel required; SQL a plus.
Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting and optimization of forecasting methods.
Strong communication and presentation skills, able to connect and collaborate with all levels within the organization including executive leadership.
APICS or similar professional certification is highly desirable.
Ability to work independently under pressure and react quickly to changing priorities.
Embrace change with willingness to create, manage, and improve processes.
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The Demand Planning Manager is responsible for the effective management and continuous improvement of the monthly SKU-level Demand Planning process to ensure forecast accuracy. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of statistical forecasting for manufactured, assembled, and purchased finished goods. As a key member of the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) team, this role leads monthly Demand Review meetings and ultimately owns the Consensus Demand Plan, collaborating cross-functionally to gather key inputs to the demand plan from Sales and Marketing.
Essential Job Functions
Lead the Consensus Demand Planning process, including:
Utilize technology to create statistical forecasts, refining and adjusting for seasonality, historical data, industry trends, retailer point of sale data, and other qualitative considerations.
Lead cross-functional meetings with sales, marketing, and leadership to review historical forecast accuracy, incorporate additional insights into forward forecasts, identify / bridge gaps at customer and item levels, understand forecast opportunities/risks (upsides and downsides, scenario planning), and ensure alignment with broader business objectives (e.g., financial targets).
Publish and present the rolling 12-month Consensus Demand Plan as part of monthly S&OP cycle.
Collaborate closely with Sales and Brand teams to drive forecasts for new product launches.
Act as the escalation point for major changes in forecasts, working with supply-side (purchaser / planners) to identify and address potential product shortages.
Work with the Director of Purchasing & Planning and executive leadership to define the demand planning strategy, establish policies, resources and capabilities, and drive improvements to Demand Planning process.
Analyze and report on forecasting KPIs, including forecast accuracy measures.
Annually, extend the 12-month rolling consensus demand plan to next full fiscal year, as part of annual corporate budgeting process.
Lead or contribute to additional ad hoc strategic projects and initiatives. Representative examples of this work include participation in corporate budgeting process (annual budget and long-range planning), review of safety stock levels and strategies, evaluation and implementation of a different forecasting technology system/solution.
Requirements:
Degree in related field.
Proven leadership experience preferably within a Supply Chain organization coupled with the ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders.
5+ years of progressive experience in demand planning, preferably within the consumer products industry (forecasting for multiple channels: retail customers, distributors, and direct to consumer (DTC) / ecommerce).
Deep knowledge in planning processes: demand planning, new products introduction, and S&OP.
Experience leading the demand consensus processes in support of a structured S&OP cycle.
Exceptional experience utilizing Demand Planning technology, with the ability to identify and drive system improvements. (Microsoft Navision / Business Central & Lanham Demand Planning a plus).
High proficiency in data and analytics, with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts. Advanced level of Excel required; SQL a plus.
Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting and optimization of forecasting methods.
Strong communication and presentation skills, able to connect and collaborate with all levels within the organization including executive leadership.
APICS or similar professional certification is highly desirable.
Ability to work independently under pressure and react quickly to changing priorities.
Embrace change with willingness to create, manage, and improve processes.
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