Material Demand Planner

********ABSOLUTELY NO RELOCATES WILL BE CONSIDERED. ONLY CANDIDATES LOCAL TO WAUKEGAN, IL NEED APPLY. OTHER LOCATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED*****

Position Title: Demand Planner

Reports To: Planning Manager

Department: ABF Planning

Role Summary

The Demand Planner plays a key role in supporting demand planning activities across the organization. This position partners closely with production planning, purchasing, and other cross functional teams to ensure accurate forecasts, timely production order execution, and proactive management of risks and priorities

Knowledge-Skills-Abilities:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related field
• Or equivalent work experience.

Experience:

• 3-5 years experience buying in demand planning, supply chain coordination, planning support, or a related role preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting forecast processes, campaign planning, or demand planning execution in a manufacturing, CPG, and distribution environment.
• Ability to manage multiple and changing projects and priorities.
• Ability to make decisions within established guidelines.
• Ability to work under pressure regularly.
• Proven ability to identify risks through shortage reports.
• Exceptional detail ability with accuracy and passion and able to provide meaningful data, analysis, and present reasoned outcomes.
• Knowledge of shortage reports and purchase orders.

Technology/Software:

• Proficient in Microsoft Suite applications and various market research tools.
• Intermediate/advanced computer skills (Excel, interlinked databases, ERP).
• Solid understanding of Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems and logistics operations, including inventory control, procurement workflows, and supply chain coordination.

Communication:

• Detailed listener.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to present information clearly and concisely to various stakeholders.

Physical Capabilities:

• Strength (lifting, dexterity, repetitive motion): Able to use a computer extensively.
• Movement (standing, stopping, sitting, crouching, crawling): General movement in an office setting with extended time relating to sitting.
• Hearing (loud noise tolerance, quiet work area, public speaking, receiving work direction): Normal sound volumes in an office setting, some exposure to a production floor environment which may be loud.
• Vision (judge distance, read signs, extend computer work, identify details): Able to read information, view a computer screen for extended periods, and recognize hazards.

Direct Reports

• None

Position Responsibilities Tasks Deliverables

An individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed below. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

All duties as assigned and the following specific activities.

Demand Planning & Forecast Support

• Coordinate with demand planners to ensure demand forecasts are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Manage approval workflows and approval communications for items within the 4 week planning lock period.
• Provide forward looking visibility of campaigns and business priorities, partnering with planners to maintain a rolling 6 week outlook.
• Support planners with day to day planning questions, issue resolution, and prioritization.

Production & Order Monitoring

• Monitor out of resource (OOR) items, production order entry, and key planning dates to ensure timeliness and compliance with planning standards.
• Track production order execution and escalate potential risks or delays in advance.
• Support planning led hyper care initiatives, including Degree campaigns, DMC campaigns, and other high priority business programs.

Reporting & Data Intelligence

• Develop, maintain, and analyze demand planning reports to support forecasting accuracy and decision making.
• Identify gaps in current reporting and build additional reports as needed (e.g., actual sales vs. forecast, forecast accuracy, trend analysis).
• Use data intelligence to identify risks, opportunities, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Process & SOP Support

• Create, maintain, and support customer specific SOPs related to demand planning and forecasting activities.
• Assist with planning process standardization and documentation to ensure consistency and audit readiness.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Forecast On Time Completion:
• Ensures demand forecasts are completed on time for all assigned planners, meeting established planning deadlines (target: greater than 98% on time completion).
• 4 Week Lock Compliance:
• Manages approval workflows and communications to maintain compliance with the 4 week planning lock, minimizing last minute changes and rework (target: greater than 95% compliance).
• 6 Week Forward Visibility:
• Maintains an accurate, rolling 6 week forward view of campaigns and priorities with planners, ensuring visibility is current, complete, and communicated consistently.

Visual Pak Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Visual Pak does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, gender (orientation or identification), sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis covered by federal, state, or local laws. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, skills, individual performance, and business needs .

About Visual Pak

Established in 1982, The Visual Pak Companies is the premier destination for cutting edge contract packaging and manufacturing solutions. As a privately held conglomerate, we specialize in delivering optimal Manufacturing, Design, Packaging, and Logistics Services for Consumer Goods, setting us apart as a leader in the industry.

At our core, we prioritize investing in our talented workforce, leveraging their expertise to drive our proven success and uphold our commitment to strategic excellence. With our ongoing growth trajectory and the need to meet emerging demands, we invite forward thinking individuals to join our dynamic team and shape the future of manufacturing with us.

Why Join Visual Pak?

At Visual Pak, we are committed to supporting our employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package of traditional and lifestyle benefits. These programs are selected and designed to make a difference for the well being of our employees and their families.