Supply & Demand Planning Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Supply & Demand Manager position will align sales forecasts with production and operational capabilities. This role minimizes inventory shortages and excess stock by bridging teams (Sales, Marketing) with supply chain and manufacturing, overseeing sales and operations planning (S&OP) to drive profitability.

A strong background and proven experience in the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process is essential for this position. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience leading or coordinating S&OP activities, translating demand forecasts into actionable supply plans, and bringing Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing teams together to drive alignment and business performance.

Our company believes in the Ideal Team Player. We follow the model behaviors of Humble (quick to point out the contributions of others), Hungry (self-motivated and diligent), Smart (socially appropriate and aware), Safety-Minded (works to lower safety risks, Quality-Minded (take pride in their work) and Attendance (recognizes their presence is important).

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Forecasting & Modeling: Analyzing historical sales, seasonal trends, and market intelligence to build accurate demand models.
• S&OP Leadership: Facilitating monthly meetings with Sales, Marketing, and Finance to reconcile forecast variances, align product launches, and secure consensus on a unified demand plan.
• Inventory & Supply Alignment: Translating consumer demand into actionable inventory targets, master production schedules (MPS), and supply requirements.
• KPI Management & Reporting: Monitoring critical metrics like forecast accuracy, bias, and fill rates, and refining planning methodologies to continuously improve supply chain efficiency.
• Risk Mitigation: Identifying supply bottlenecks, demand spikes, or material shortages, and implementing corrective contingency plans.
• Team Leadership: Overseeing, training, and developing a team of supply chain analysts and demand planners.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Evaluating software vendors: Researching and demoing new ERP, APS, or advanced forecasting tools.
• Leading corporate sustainability: Structuring green supply chain initiatives like carbon footprint reduction.
• Structuring long-term network design: Participating in multi-year facility footprint or warehouse relocation planning.
• Advising product packaging teams: Providing input on how packaging dimensions affect shipping and pallet optimization.
• Supporting procurement negotiations: Sharing vendor scorecard history to assist buyers in contractual pricing discussions.
• Assisting sales presentations: Creating custom inventory readiness slides for major client pitches.
• Maintaining master data: Manually updating minor SKU attributes, lead times, or vendor codes in the ERP.
• Managing routine data cleansing: Standardizing historical sales data files after one-time promotional spikes.
• Hosting team-building activities: Organizing internal department morale events or holiday scheduling.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Prolonged stationary sitting: Spending 80% or more of the workday at a desk or in conference rooms.
• Frequent screen time: Operating computers and analyzing dense data spreadsheets for extended periods.
• Frequent keyboarding: Typing reports, emails, and manipulating ERP/advanced planning software daily.
• Light physical lifting: Handling office supplies or marketing samples occasionally up to 15 pounds.
• Frequent verbal communication: Speaking clearly during high-stakes presentations and collaborative S&OP meetings.
• Varying visual focus: Close-up computer viewing alternating with viewing large presentation screens.

COMPETENCY, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Analytical Thinking: Breaking down complex datasets into clear, actionable business insights.
• Problem Solving: Resolving conflicts between supply constraints and volatile customer demand quickly.
• Collaboration: Bridging communication gaps between Sales, Finance, Operations, and Procurement teams.
• Results Orientation: Driving performance to consistently meet inventory and forecast accuracy metrics.
• Strategic Vision: Anticipating long-term market trends and aligning supply chain capacity accordingly.
• Advanced Excel: Writing complex formulas, macros, power queries, and building dynamic data models.
• ERP Software: Navigating large enterprise platforms like SAP (APO/IBP) or Oracle Demantra.
• BI Tools: Building reports and tracking KPIs using Tableau, Power BI, or QlikView.
• Statistical Tools: Operating specialized planning systems or statistical software like R or SAS.
• S&OP Frameworks: Mastering Sales and Operations Planning processes and executive consensus building.
• Statistical Modeling: Understanding forecasting algorithms, moving averages, regression analysis, and exponential smoothing.
• Inventory Theory: Knowing safety stock calculations, economic order quantity (EOQ), and lead-time variability.
• Supply Chain Dynamics: Understanding manufacturing constraints, distribution logistics, and procurement processes.
• Financial Principles: Grasping the impact of inventory on working capital, cash flow, and cost of goods sold (COGS).
• Data Synthesis: Consolidating messy market data from multiple departments into one unified plan.
• Influencing Without Authority: Convincing cross-functional executives to agree on realistic forecast numbers.
• Stress Tolerance: Maintaining composure and focus during sudden supply shortages or shipping crises.
• Effective Communication: Translating technical supply chain metrics into simple business impacts for leadership.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s Degree: A 4-year degree in any of the following, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Statistics, Economics, or Industrial Engineering.
• 5 to 8 years of progressive experience in supply chain, forecasting, or inventory management.
• Demonstrated background working as a Demand Planner, Supply Planner, or Supply Chain Analyst. Candidates must show a history of owning category forecasts or managing vendor lead times.
• At least 2 to 3 years of supervisory experience managing, coaching, or training a team of analysts.
• Proven experience facilitating or playing a core role in corporate Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) cycles.
• Hands-on experience navigating Tier-1 ERP systems.

PREFERRED:

• MBA in Supply Chain Management or Data Analytics
• International business education or studies focused on global trade, tariff navigation, and cross-border logistics.
• Advanced, hands-on administration of leading enterprise platforms.
• Experience implementing or super-using innovative software.
• Managing multi-tiered international supply chains, including overseas manufacturing, long lead times, and freight forwarding
• Managing complex product lifecycles

The McAlear Group offers a full range of benefits for eligible employee including 401k, health and life insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), disability coverage, and PTO.