Position Summary
Reporting to Operations/Plant Manager, the Planning Manager will lead the detailed item level demand planning function for the business. The Planning Manager will be responsible for item, plant, and key account forecasts that will support strategic targets for forecast accuracy, end customer service level and inventory management. The Planning Manager will lead the demand reviews to support sales and operations planning. This position will have strong interfaces between Sales, Customer Operations, Product Line Management (PLM) and Operations.
The Planning Manager will collaborate with key employees in sales and operations throughout the demand and supply planning process. They will help support revenue growth and profitability through improved line planning by forecasting accurately and reducing supply chain costs. This position will work together with the customers, sales, and planning to drive a consensus demand/supply plan which will be used to drive critical downstream business processes. This position will provide timely information and recommendations to operations, customers and sales. Additionally, the position will lead planning strategies and processes that will result in on-time order fulfillment.
The ideal candidate for this position will be able to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization. They will have strong attention to detail and will be able to manage multiple competing priorities. The ability to think ahead and proactively work to solve supply problems will be key to success in this position.
Position Responsibilities
- Develop forecast models based on sales forecast and demand patterns to meet company goals.
- Proactively adjust the item level forecasts and communicate to the teams.
- Develop and maintain detailed inventory strategy for all finished goods and packaging materials, ensuring products are in house and able to be produced in accordance with approved supply plan.
- Maintain the sales and operations planning process for demand and supply reviews.
- Develop and manage tactical forecasting strategies as they relate to production and inventory planning.
- Develop and support execution of plans to reduce and eliminate excess and slow/non-moving inventory.
- Develop, monitor and manage the seasonal and long-range product demand plans.
- Develop, monitor and manage scheduling and procurement.
- Develop monthly sales versus forecast reports and shortages reports, share with internal key stakeholders.
- Collaborate with key stakeholders and management in determining reasons for budget and forecast variations. Develop and implement countermeasures to reduce or eliminate these variations.
- Report and track forecasting trends and their impact on marketing and company-wide objectives.
- Develop and manage tactical forecasting strategies as they relate to production and inventory planning.
- Participate in raw materials inventory strategy discussions/decisions.
- Manages, provides support and mentors the internal team to drive continuous improvement of product and processes.
- Continue to enhance supply chain strategies by evaluating industry Best Practices in forecasting as well as assisting in the ERP system (IBP / S4Hana SAP) implementation.
- Develop and support continuous improvement strategies by focusing on streamlining forecast and inventory processes while optimizing the supply chain network.
- Work independently to provide consultative advice within specific functional areas and introduce planning methods/procedures that are beneficial for the organization. Apply advanced planning process principles to multiple tasks.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements
- Bachelors degree in business, supply chain or other related fields is required. Candidate with five (5) years planning leadership experience can substitute experience in lieu of degree.
- Five (5) years experience with relevant forecasting, demand planning, or supply chain management experience in food manufacturing is required. Candidate substituting experience in lieu of degree require a total of ten (10) years previous planning experience.
- Previous managerial experience working in production/inventory control-performing production reporting, calculations, physical inventory, reconciliation, and database control is required.
- Ability to influence and collaborate with other departments is required.
- Previous experience and ability to drive products through tactical, meaningful demand / supply planning with thoughtful/analytically viewed recommendations is required.
- Experience working with ERP systems is required.
- Ability to solve complex problems and present effective and efficient solutions in a clear and concise manner to management is required.
- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, is required.
- Must be detail orientated with strong organization skills.
- Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Access, and Excel) is required
Position Benefits
- Insurance: Medical, Life, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability, Voluntary accident, Voluntary critical illness.
- 401K- 100% Employer match on up to 6% of elegible annual earnings (day one vested).
- Vacation, sick and paid holidays
- Educational reimbursement
- Employer assistance program
- Welness program