Demand Planning Manager

Position Summary: Associate Manager – Demand Planning

The Associate Manager of Demand Planning is responsible for generating and managing the total unconstrained demand forecast (baseline and promotional) within the SAP-IBP system for a specific business cluster (covering multiple markets). This role collaborates closely with Market Demand Planners and Demand Planning Analysts to ensure data accuracy, forecast alignment, and effective planning processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and challenge statistical forecasts and the True Base in SAP-IBP; initiate data cleansing if needed and flag inconsistencies to the Demand Planning Analyst.
• Collaborate with the Demand Planning Analyst to review trends and update forecast building blocks.
• Ensure alignment between SAP-IBP and the Kantar tool, especially regarding promotional volumes.
• Lead and facilitate pre-DMR and DMR meetings within the SOP process, ensuring cross-functional alignment and Business Director sign-off on total volume forecasts.
• Drive adherence to global planning processes and standards across local market teams.
• Participate in weekly S&OE (0–3 months) and monthly S&OP (4–24 months) cycles:
• S&OE: Month pacing and weekly variance management
• S&OP: Product Management Review (PMR), Pre-Demand Management Review (Pre-DMR), and Demand Management Review (DMR)
• Support the Senior Demand Planning Manager in Integrated Reconciliation (IR) by analyzing deviations, completing variance trackers, and explaining sales vs. forecast gaps.
• Lead the Display Plan process in partnership with Supply Planning.
• Manage and develop a team of Market Demand Planners within the assigned market cluster.
• Drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy and bias to maximize sales, minimize service issues, and optimize working capital.

Additional Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Sales & Marketing to challenge and validate market intelligence:
• Promotional and display forecasts
• Distribution gains/losses
• New product launches
• Risks and opportunities
• Nielsen data and seasonality insights
• Maintain a closed feedback loop with commercial teams to continuously refine forecast quality.
• Partner with Demand Planning Analysts on:
• Forecast accuracy analysis (net and absolute errors)
• NPD setup and cannibalization impact
• Promo analysis, code switches, and constrained product allocation
• Contribute to tool and process improvements by sharing best practices in SAP-IBP and forecasting methodologies.
• Prepare content and secure sign-off for the DMR forecast from the Business Director.
• Enter constrained forecasts in SAP-IBP as needed and investigate root causes of forecast errors.
• Support the International Modern Market Roadmap and implementation of forecast improvement initiatives.
• Represent demand planning and promote its practices with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure forecast accuracy for co-packing activities and proactively communicate key updates (e.g., switches, NPDs, promotions) to Customer Service.
• Participate in market-level SLOB and SKU rationalization processes.

What We’re Looking For

Required Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent); supply chain background preferred
• 3–5 years’ experience in demand planning or supply chain
• Strong working knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Office
• SAP-IBP or SAP experience desirable
• Fluent in English; a second European language is a plus
• Experience working remotely and in multicultural, matrixed environments
• Strong communication, organization, and workflow management skills
• Analytical thinker with a customer-focused mindset
• Demonstrated competencies:
• Team leadership and collaboration
• Initiative and results orientation
• Influencing skills
• Adaptability and cross-cultural awareness