USA - Demand Planner

Job-ID28567591Reference26-15991 Job Description: The Associate Demand Planning Manager supporting the development of a 12–18 month rolling sales forecast for the Ice Cream portfolio, covering 8 brands and approximately 350 unique SKUs, totaling $3billion in annual net sales. This role acts as the Supply Chain Business Partner across cross-functional teams, supporting the monthly S&OP cycle to build a realistic, input-led forecast and identify risks and opportunities. A key focus is on communicating volume changes and drivers across the end-to-end supply chain, while leveraging machine learning, implementation of AI agents on demand analytics, and driving simplification and continuous improvement in forecasting processes and tools. Key Responsibilities Forecast Development & Management Lead creation of a bottoms-up forecast using business insights and machine learning inputs. Translate market and promotional insights into demand drivers for auto-forecast modelling. Ensure forecast volumes are aligned with financial projections and submitted on time. S&OP Leadership Facilitate Activity and Demand Review discussions with deep market understanding. Drive forecast quality improvements through regular performance reviews with Demand Analysts, Brand, and Customer Strategy teams. Provide innovation forecasts to project teams and ensure data-driven planning for new products. Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement Partner with Brand, Customer Strategy, and Finance to deliver input-led forecasts across all horizons. Ensure coverage of non-forecastable segments, innovations, and local brand-building activities. Performance Measures Forecast Accuracy, Bias, and VVD: Accountable for improving key forecast metrics. Waste Reduction: Targeting a 15% year-over-year reduction in business waste losses. Forecast Transparency: Ability to fully explain forecast composition (volume & value) and associated risks/opportunities during Activity and Demand Reviews. EEO: “Mindlance is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of – Minority/Gender/Disability/Religion/LGBTQI/Age/Veterans.”