Senior Demand Planner

Reference: PR/616885_1793222293Company OverviewOur client is a global leader in the consumer products and healthcare space, serving customers across multiple international markets through a diverse portfolio of well-established brands. The organization is recognized for its innovation, operational excellence, and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.As part of continued growth, the company is seeking an experienced Demand Planning professional to support forecasting excellence, cross-functional planning alignment, and supply chain performance optimization.The OpportunityThe Senior Demand Planner will partner closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Analytics, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to develop and manage accurate demand forecasts across a portfolio of consumer products. This individual will play a key role in the S&OP process, driving forecast accuracy, identifying business risks and opportunities, and ensuring alignment between commercial and operational plans.The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in forecasting, demand planning, statistical analysis, and collaboration across cross-functional teams within a fast-paced consumer products environment.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and maintain consensus demand forecasts at the SKU and customer level using sales trends, inventory data, promotional activity, distribution changes, statistical models, and business insights.Partner with Sales and commercial teams to align forecasts and communicate planning assumptions, risks, opportunities, and recommendations.Analyze customer shipment data, POS trends, and inventory performance to identify demand shifts, forecast exceptions, and emerging business opportunities.Collaborate with customers, partners, and internal stakeholders to evaluate inventory positions, distribution changes, and promotional activities.Coordinate planning support for product launches, discontinuations, and lifecycle management initiatives across multiple business functions.Identify and address forecast bias through root cause analysis, performance measurement, and continuous improvement efforts.Monitor key supply chain and demand planning KPIs, including forecast accuracy, forecast bias, service performance, lost sales, and inventory metrics.Utilize forecasting and planning systems to proactively identify material demand risks and opportunities.Participate in monthly S&OP and demand review processes, ensuring organizational alignment around an unbiased consensus forecast.Maintain data integrity through validation, cleansing, and ongoing process improvement initiatives.Support the continuous enhancement of demand planning methodologies, tools, and reporting capabilities.QualificationsEducationBachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related discipline.Experience8+ years of experience in demand planning, supply planning, inventory management, forecasting, S&OP, or related supply chain functions.Demonstrated experience managing SKU-level forecasts within a complex business environment.Experience supporting new product introductions and product lifecycle planning.Consumer products, retail, healthcare, life sciences, or related industry experience strongly preferred.Technical SkillsStrong understanding of demand planning and S&OP processes.Experience with statistical forecasting methodologies and planning systems.Advanced Microsoft Excel capabilities, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis, and forecasting techniques.Experience leveraging planning software and exception-based analytics tools.Strong analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills.Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.Soft SkillsExcellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive alignment across business functions.Strong organizational and project management skills.Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.Self-motivated, results-oriented, and proactive in identifying and solving business challenges.Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking with executional excellence.