Demand Planning Manager

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts for the beverage portfolio using historical data, market trends, and input from sales and marketing teams.
• Lead and facilitate the S&OP process, ensuring alignment between demand forecasts, production plans, inventory levels, and sales strategies.
• Analyze sales data, promotional activities, seasonality, and market trends to refine forecasting models and improve accuracy.
• Partner with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to incorporate new product launches, promotions, and retailer demands into forecasts.
• Work with warehouse and supply chain teams to ensure optimal inventory levels to meet retailer demand while minimizing excess stock and stockouts.
• Track and report on forecast accuracy, identifying gaps and implementing corrective actions to improve future predictions.
• Continuously enhance demand planning and S&OP processes, leveraging industry best practices and technology to drive efficiency.
• Provide regular reports and insights to senior management on demand trends, risks, and opportunities to support strategic decision-making.
• Leverage demand planning software and ERP systems to streamline forecasting and S&OP processes.

• Minimum of 5 years of demand planning experience in a consumer products company, preferably in the beverage or food industry.
• Proven experience leading or participating in Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field; advanced degree or certification (e.g., APICS, CPIM) is a plus.
• Proficiency in demand planning software (e.g., SAP APO, Oracle Demantra, or similar) and ERP systems; advanced Excel skills required.
• Strong ability to analyze complex data sets, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate across departments and present insights to leadership.
• Familiarity with the beverage industry, including seasonality, promotional cycles, and direct-to-retailer distribution models.
• Proactive approach to identifying and resolving demand and supply chain challenges.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Preferred:
  Experience working with national retailers and understanding their demand patterns.
• Preferred:
  Knowledge of warehouse operations and direct-to-retailer supply chain dynamics.
• Preferred:
  Familiarity with advanced analytics or machine learning tools for demand forecasting.