Planning Specialist

Summary / Objective:

The sales planning specialist role is responsible for leading data support of strategic and operational planning across key business segments. This role ensures accuracy in data-driven forecasting, sales planning, inventory control, and coordination of cross-functional strategic initiatives. The sales planning specialist collaborates closely with the Business Directors and Product Managers to support business intelligence, manage key planning projects, and support long-term profitability and

growth through meticulous planning execution.

This role is essential for integrating Daikin America, Inc.’s (DAI) planning operations with strategies from our global parent Daikin Industries Ltd. (DIL), our domestic production sites, and our foreign subsidiaries.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in technical field (IT, Science, Engineering, Business, or Marketing)
• English and Japanese language fluency.
• Minimum 5 years of industry experience preferred in c hemicals, materials, or specialty manufacturing.
• Experience in supply chain management and IT.
• Experience in commercial functions , including sales, marketing, strategic planning, & production.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A bility to work across cultural lines.
• Data Visualization & BI Tools (Required): Proficiency in Microsoft Power BI, Power Query, Excel tools and other analytics platforms to visualize data, build dashboards, and support business intelligence initiatives.
• SQL & Database Querying (Preferred): Working knowledge of SQL or similar querying languages to extract, manipulate, and analyze data from enterprise systems.
• Data Model Understanding & Analytics: Ability to comprehend data structures across internal systems and leverage them for insightful analysis and strategic decision-making.
• Data Governance & Quality Management: Ability to maintain data accuracy, integrity, and consistency across systems to ensure reliable business insights.
• Process Optimization through Data: Capability to identify operational inefficiencies and propose data-driven improvements to enhance workflow productivity.
• Financial Acumen: Basic understanding of P&L, EBITDA, margin analysis, and cost control measures .
• Digital Transformation & AI Integration: Familiarity with CRM tools, AI-driven sales analytics, and e-commerce strategies .
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to coordinate operations, marketing, and sales teams to drive innovation and efficiency.

Physical Demands:

• The Business Planning role will require <10% travel, both domestically (Decatur, AL) and internationally (Osaka, JP).

Essential Functions:

• Prompt, regular, and dependable attendance is an essential function of this job.
• Preparation of daily, weekly, and monthly sales and budget reporting.
• Preparation of support materials for cyclical executive meetings (MM, GMM, RMM).
• Work closely with product, sales, production, and technology teams to ensure alignment between forecasts, supply, and market needs.
• Coordinate planning insights and execution with global stakeholders in Japan to ensure alignment with DIL objectives.
• Data Analysis and Forecasting.
• Leverage historical data, market trends, and CRM insights to enhance forecasting accuracy.
• Support pricing and market strategy planning with insights derived from data modeling.
• Additional assignments as deemed necessary by management.