Demand Planning Center of Excellence (CoE) Manager

Demand Planning CoE Manager

The Demand Planning Center of Excellence (CoE) Manager is responsible for establishing, standardizing, and continuously improving demand planning capabilities across the organization. This role leads the development of best practices, tools, analytics, and governance to drive forecast accuracy, improve service levels, and enable data-driven decision-making within the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) framework.

Key Responsibilities

• CoE Strategy & Governance
• Define and lead the Demand Planning CoE strategy, roadmap, and operating model
• Establish standardized processes, templates, and policies across regions/businesses
• Drive governance and adherence to demand planning standards and KPIs
• Forecasting Excellence
• Improve forecast accuracy, bias, and error metrics
• Develop and deploy statistical forecasting models and methodologies
• Lead demand segmentation and forecasting strategy (baseline vs. event-driven demand)
• Process Standardization & Continuous Improvement
• Implement and optimize end-to-end demand planning processes within S&OP cycles
• Identify gaps and lead continuous improvement initiatives across planning teams
• Drive maturity assessments and capability building across regions
• Tools & Systems Enablement
• Partner with IT and digital teams to implement and enhance planning tools (Kinaxis)
• Define system requirements, data models, and reporting standards
• Ensure data quality, integration, and usability for planning processes
• Analytics & Insights
• Build advanced analytics and reporting to generate actionable insights
• Leverage AI/ML and automation to enhance forecasting capabilities
• Translate data into business recommendations for leadership
• Capability Building & Change Management
• Train and mentor regional demand planners
• Develop training materials, playbooks, and knowledge-sharing forums
• Lead change management initiatives to drive adoption of new processes and tools

Leadership Essentials for Role

• Driving accountability with Production Support / IT as Product Owner via JIRA Process
• Quick escalation of roadblockers / deviations from roadmap
• Ruthless prioritization and implementing Start/Stop/Continue mindset in midst of many priorities
• Be the Go-To Demand expert for the Divisional Demand planners for planning advice, insight, etc
• Exercise vocal leadership in all key Demand Planning forums to actively shape decisions and overall roadmap
• Strong Executive presence is a must

Key Skills, Abilities and Experience Required

• 7+ years' experience within Demand Planning, Demand Planning Excellence required
• Deep domain expertise in demand planning. Strong understanding of demand planning proficiencies such as statistical modeling, event and promotional modeling, business driver correlation and product life cycle management (introduction, transition, cannibalization, EOL).
• Experience leading a cross-functional SIOP processes and stakeholder engagement
• Experience leading projects and driving continuous improvements with a disciplined approach. Six Sigma Green / Black Belt Certification preferred.
• Demand planning Software experience and/or implementation (Kinaxis Rapid Response, FPRO, Demantra or similar) is a requirement.
• Demonstrated change management experience and ability to lead through change and rapid growth.
• Strategic problem solver and planner.
• Influential leader with the ability to work across functions and a culturally diverse organization.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong analytic skills. Able to translate data insights into business outcomes, recommendation and decisions.
• Experience in the Life Science or Medical Device industry preferred.
• APICS certification preferred.