What are the responsibilities and job description for the Demand Planning Manager position at Elevated Search Partners?
Our Client, a well-established, privately held company with decades of experience known for providing aerospace and advanced industrial markets with high-reliability components and solutions with a customer-focused approach, is looking to fill their Demand Planning Manager position.
This position owns the end-to-end demand forecasting process, driving alignment across Sales, Operations, Finance, and Supply Planning to ensure accurate forecasts, optimized inventory, and achievement of revenue targets. This role combines data-driven forecasting, cross-functional leadership, and process improvement to elevate S&OP/SIOP maturity and business performance.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
Demand Planning & Forecasting
- Lead the full demand planning cycle, integrating demand, supply, and financial inputs across business segments (OEM and Aftermarket).
- Develop and maintain statistical forecasting models incorporating seasonality, product lifecycle, and market trends.
- Monitor forecast accuracy (MAPE) and bias, performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
S&OP / SIOP Leadership
- Own and facilitate S&OP/SIOP processes, ensuring alignment between demand plans, supply constraints, and financial objectives.
- Partner with Sales, Operations, Finance, and Supply Planning to drive consensus forecasts and resolve gaps.
- Support executive-level reviews with clear insights and actionable recommendations.
Performance Management & Analytics
- Establish and track KPIs to measure forecast accuracy, inventory performance, and supply chain effectiveness.
- Build and maintain dashboards (Power BI or similar) to provide visibility into demand performance and business trends.
- Automate reporting processes to improve efficiency and decision-making speed.
Inventory Optimization
- Ensure optimal product availability while minimizing excess and obsolete inventory.
- Align demand forecasts with inventory strategies and capacity constraints.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify and lead initiatives to improve demand planning processes, tools, and team productivity.
- Drive a shift from reactive forecasting to a structured, process-driven planning environment.
- Implement automation and system enhancements (e.g., Excel, Python-based tools) to streamline workflows.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as a key liaison across commercial and operational teams to align business priorities.
- Train and influence stakeholders on demand planning best practices and data-driven decision making.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- 6 years of experience in demand planning, supply chain, or forecasting roles
- Strong experience with S&OP/SIOP processes
- Proven track record improving forecast accuracy and reducing bias
- Advanced Excel skills; experience with Power BI or similar analytics tools required
- Experience with statistical forecasting methods and data modeling
- Exposure to automation tools (Python or similar) is a plus
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
What Success Looks Like
- Measurable improvement in forecast accuracy and reduction in bias
- Strong alignment between demand plans, supply capabilities, and financial targets
- Increased visibility through dashboards and reporting
- Improved inventory performance (availability vs. excess/obsolete)
- Scalable, process-driven demand planning function