What are the responsibilities and job description for the Regional Demand Planning Manager – Steel (NAFTA) position at Vesuvius USA?
Key Responsibilities
- Own and manage the regional demand plan for Steel across NAFTA at product, customer, and location levels.
- Ensure delivery of an unconstrained, consensus demand plan to support supply planning and execution processes.
- Maintain a clear linkage between demand plans and commercial assumptions.
- Lead the statistical baseline forecast process and ensure appropriate use of forecasting models in SOP V1 and then in SAP IBP.
- Facilitate commercial review and adjustment cycles, ensuring assumptions are documented and understood.
- Lead Demand Review meetings and formally release the demand plan into supply planning.
- Own forecast accuracy, bias, and error metrics, monitoring performance and driving corrective actions.
- Identify demand volatility, structural changes, and forecast risks, and proactively escalate insights to stakeholders.
- Drive continuous improvement in demand planning processes, parameters, and data quality.
Demand Segmentation & Planning Strategy
- Own demand segmentation in line with Vesuvius’ planning archetypes (Make To Stock- Make to Order- Make to Consignment)
- Ensure correct planning strategies are implemented and maintained for customers and products across NAFTA.
- Partner with Supply Planning to ensure segmentation is effectively translated into supply and inventory strategies.
S&OP / Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Act as a key contributor to S&OP presenting demand outlook, risks, and scenarios.
- Collaborate closely with Sales, Customer Service, Supply Planning, Finance, and Operations to ensure alignment.
- Provide clear demand insights to support decision‑making, scenario planning, and trade‑off discussions.
Systems, Data & Governance
- Lead effective implementation and use of SAP IBP Demand Planning, ensuring data accuracy, governance, and user discipline.
- Support master data quality (customer, product, hierarchy, and attributes) in partnership with IT and Supply Chain teams.
- Support change management and capability building related to IBP and demand planning maturity.
Key Interfaces
- Commercial / Sales Leadership
- Customer Service (CS)
- Supply Planning & Inventory Management
- Finance / Controlling
- IBP / Systems & Data Teams
Qualifications
- Pref. Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
- APICS CPIM / CSCP or equivalent certification preferred.
Experience
- 7–10 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or integrated supply chain roles.
- Proven experience leading regional or multi‑site demand planning processes.
- Hands‑on experience with SAP IBP or similar advanced planning systems.
- Experience in industrial or manufacturing environments is preferred.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong understanding of demand planning, forecasting, and S&OP processes.
- Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into business insights.
- Strong facilitation and stakeholder‑management skills.
- Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, cross‑regional environment.