Demand & Forecast Planning Manager (On-Site)

Description

 Founded in 2008 DMA Industries, LLC (DMA) has quickly grown to become a trusted supplier to the North American Automotive Parts Aftermarket. DMA has a dynamic, performance-driven work culture that embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, team-work, collaboration, and an unwavering standard of ethics. 

Position Overview:

The Demand Forecast Planning Manager is a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring the accuracy

and integrity of the company's demand plan while translating that plan into timely and optimal purchasing

decisions. This role manages a team of four Demand Planners and one Senior Demand Planner, leading

the end-to-end forecasting process and overseeing the generation of purchase orders (POs) to maintain

service levels and inventory targets. This Manager acts as the primary link between Sales, Marketing, and Warehouse Operations, driving the

consensus demand review.

Responsibilities:

1. Demand Planning & Strategy

•  Process Ownership: Own the entire monthly demand forecasting cycle for a defined product portfolio, ensuring timely submission of the final consensus forecast.
•  Strategic Forecasting: Oversee the development of both short-term (1-3 month) and long-term (12-24 month) demand forecasts, incorporating market intelligence, sales trends, promotional plans, and new product introductions (NPIs).
• CPFR Leadership: Lead and facilitate the customer scheduled CPFR (Collaborative Planning, Forecast and Replenishment) meetings
•  Performance Management: Establish, track, and report on key performance indicators(KPIs) including Forecast Accuracy, Order Fill Rates and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance forecasting excellence.

2. Team Leadership & Development

• Management: Directly manage a team of Demand Planners and one Sr. Demand Planner, providing coaching, mentorship, and performance feedback.
• Workload Management: Assign and balance forecasting responsibilities, ensuring adequate coverage and expertise across product lines and geographical areas.
• Talent Development: Identify training needs, foster professional growth, and mentor the team to utilize advanced statistical methods and leverage forecasting software capabilities.

3. Procurement & Inventory Management

• Purchase Order Generation: Oversee the team’s process for converting the finalized demand plan into actionable purchase orders (POs), ensuring POs are aligned with inventory strategies, lead times, and supplier agreements.
• Inventory Optimization: Partner with Supply Planning and Finance to set optimal inventory targets (safety stock, min/max levels) and monitor inventory health, driving actions to minimize excess, slow-moving, and obsolete (ES&O) stock.
• Supplier Relations: Work with Procurement/Sourcing to monitor supplier performance related to on-time delivery and quantity (OTIF) and address any supplier constraints that impact PO fulfillment.
• Expediting: Need to review timing of inventory, work directly with our suppliers to improve ship dates. Be able to make expedited shipment recommendations, either through Ocean or Air to management to make the decision on cost benefit.

4. Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of experience directly managing or leading a team of planners.
• 5-7 years Forecasting or Demand Planning experience
• Advanced Excel skills
• Strong working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems and the integration of demand planning with purchase order generation. (NetSuite experience preferred)
• Proven expertise in Statistical Forecasting methodologies and proficiency with advanced planning systems
• Strong problem solving
• Analytical skills
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills, capable of driving consensus among senior leaders

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience 

Other:

• Incumbent work hours/schedule and/or shift are subject to change based on business needs and Management discretion
• Other duties may be assigned as business necessitates
• Company has a “Zero Tolerance” policy regarding insubordination and/or refusal to carry out work as directed. This can result in immediate separation of employment
• Complies with Dress Code of Business Casual Attire

Language Skills: Ability to read and write in English. Ability to effectively articulate and present

information and respond to questions from Management in a professional manner.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations within ADA guidelines that do not cause Company excessive expenditure(s) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to have manual dexterity and written, verbal & auditory skills. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk and sit during the workday. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Any additional weight to be lifted should only be accomplished with assistance. Specific vision abilities required by this job are close vision and distance vision. The employee is expected to handle occasional high stress projects/situations as needed due to work to be accomplished, deadlines to meet, etc. Employee must be able to accommodate the requirement of public transportation of any type, in role, to get to/from employment/other offices in a timely manner, as scheduled. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the daily work environment is usually moderate and could possibly change during the business day.

 DMA Industries, LLC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees are respected, valued, and empowered. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize the importance of accessibility and are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment. If you require assistance or accommodation at any stage of the application or employment process, please inform us so that we may support your needs appropriately.