Demand Planner

Demand Planner

Kinetico believes in treating its employees with respect. They play a vital role in enabling our innovation, growth and success. We strive to provide them with opportunities to grow in a motivating environment.

Job Description

Purpose: The Demand Planner analyzes sales forecasts, historical sales trends, consumer market opportunities and constraints, marketing campaign expectations, and the product lifecycle to prepare a recurring forecast for the demand of products for a segment of the customer base.

Key Areas of Responsibilities:

• Collects and analyzes sales expectations, historical trends, and market potential to derive a sales forecast for the customer segment. Identifies customer volume patterns and works to develop consensus on monthly forecast accuracy target.
• Produces forecast models that generate multiple demand scenarios, identifying and raising visibility to risks and opportunities.
• Improves forecast accuracy by identifying key root causes for forecast errors and implements initiatives to improve future forecast accuracy.
• Reconciles significant variances through cross functional research and refines the forecast to reflect updated assumptions.
• Maintains a promotional campaign calendar to align short term campaign expectations with forecast variances. Collaborates with sales team to capture changes by customer and communicates volume adjustments throughout supply chain channels.
• Monitors inventory levels to ensure inventories meet short-term forecast demand changes.
• Utilizes available systems (ERP, CRM) to develop reports that monitor sales and delivery activity necessary to measure the effectiveness of forecast modeling.
• Participates in and may lead Sales and Operations Planning meetings providing insight into customer segment ordering trends or variances.
• Collaborates with Demand Planning team to incorporate new products and transition out obsolete products from the forecast cycle.

Key Performance Indicators :

• Forecast accuracy, reduction in variances.
• Demand vs Schedule alignment.
• Adherence to scheduled fulfilment to team goal of 90%

Key Challenges and Decisions:

• Demand Planner is a new role and will require ingenuity to incorporate necessary processes and procedures.
• MRP capabilities are not yet integrated within the ERP system.
• CRM is not integrated within sales order entry system.
• Need to draw accurate conclusions from large sets of data.

Job Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain or other relevant fields with a minimum of 5 years' experience in a demand planning/forecasting role.
• 3 – 5 years' experience with demand planning, forecasting models and applications.
• Solid understanding of inventory management practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of MRP processes. Experience with JD Edwards software a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Conducts all activities with the highest of integrity.
• Good computer skills including word processing and spreadsheet proficiency.

Organizational Context:

The Demand Planner reports to the Sales and Operations Planning Manager and collaborates cross functionally with Marketing, Sales, Operations, and Finance.

Why Join Kinetico:

• Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Insurance Coverage
• Employer Provided Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Benefits
• 401(k) Contribution Matching Program
• Employer Funded Defined Contribution Plan
• Paid Vacation, Holidays and Community Service Volunteer Time-off Benefit
• Wellness Program
• Educational Assistance Reimbursement Program

Our Commitment and Difference:

Founded in 1970, Kinetico was started by two engineers who pioneered the development of non-electric, fully automatic water treatment systems. Evolving from the Tangent Company, a small consulting design firm, Kinetico soon became a global organization of independent dealers, international distributors representing nearly 100 countries. Through the dedication of its founders, employees and distribution network, Kinetico has experienced tremendous success. The company has grown from a two-man, creative undertaking into a strong and dynamic organization.

Innovative technology and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction have distinguished the company and positioned Kinetico as a leader in today's ever-changing water treatment industry manufacturing water softeners, along with a wide range of systems that improve water quality for general use, as well as those that provide high-quality drinking water for consumption. Kinetico products are Third Party certified to confirm quality and performance and complimented by the most comprehensive warranties in the industry.

Kinetico is part of the Axel Johnson Group of companies, a global organization and fifth generation company that continues to be successful in developing leading businesses.

Kinetico Incorporated is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act*), or any other legally protected status, with respect to employment opportunities.

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