Specialist II - Demand Planning

Demand Planner

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

Job Summary

The Demand Planner will be responsible for oversight for forecasting demand, analyzing historical sales data, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure that our inventory levels are optimized to meet customer demand. This role is essential for achieving efficiency, customer satisfaction, and cost control within our supply chain operations. The demand planner must consistently develop strategies to anticipate changes in customer demand.

Duties and Responsibilities

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts for products at the SKU level based on historical data, market trends, and input from sales and marketing teams.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to understand product launches, promotions, and other factors that may impact demand.
• Monitor inventory levels and work to maintain optimal stock levels to meet customer demand while minimizing carrying costs.
• Implement inventory strategies to reduce stockouts and overstock situations.
• Analyze and interpret sales data, market trends, and customer insights to refine demand forecasts.
• Identify and report on variances between forecasted and actual demand.
• Work closely with sales, marketing, and production teams to ensure alignment on demand forecasts and to address any issues or changes in demand.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and communicate effectively to achieve consensus on demand plans.
• Continuously improve and refine demand planning processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Implement best practices to enhance forecast accuracy and supply chain efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to optimize the supply chain network design to reduce costs and improve overall supply chain performance.
• Perform inventory analysis and propose recommendations for inventory optimization
• Provide support and recommendations for digital innovation strategies
• Prepare reports and ad hoc analysis as required

Education, Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics or related field
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain with inventory control, logistics, production planning and scheduling, and purchasing/contract negotiations
• Proven experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain management.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Detail-oriented and able to manage complex data and multiple variables
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in demand planning software and tools (e.g., Kinaxis, ERP systems, Excel).
• Self-directed and able to work without supervision
• Energetic and eager to tackle new projects and ideas

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.