Demand Planning Manager Profile / Job Description

Job Overview

The Demand Planning Manager will develop and recommend production, attachment, and inventory schedules and order fulfillment activities for their Manufacturing Division. Fulfillment objectives are paramount to meeting customer demand and this role will play a key part in the identification of projects and areas that require attention, develop priorities, and identify work plans for staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to scheduling and orders staff to help accomplish order fulfillment objectives. Identifies areas/projects requiring attention, develops priorities, identifies work plan for staff and coordinates review of projects with facility management.
• Develop master production plan to accommodate customer demand within practical production capabilities and balances the often conflicting objectives of employment stability, efficient manufacturing and appropriate inventory levels to achieve optimum costs and profit. Coordinates development of schedules for each prime product configuration, attachments and related products. Monitors external issues which impact scheduling concerns. Issues include strikes by key suppliers, legal requirements related to manpower and the opening, closing and softening of markets due to economic and political situations.
• Develop availability and inventory strategies that satisfy product needs of the business planning shipment forecast. Reconciles fluctuating demand and the need for factory stability while minimizing inventory investment.
• Monitor the production plan and modifies as needed to maintain acceptable product availability and inventory levels. Collects, monitors and analyzes actual results against business variables of the forecasts such as sales to users, orders, shipments and factory and dealer inventory. 
• Develop a plan for critical review by Product Managers, materials, factory managers and marketing subsidiaries, explaining why this plan provides the best compromise to conflicting objectives. Adjusts forecast for supply constraints such as machinery, equipment, manpower, etc.
• Coordinate and facilitate global S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) meetings with marketing subsidiaries on a monthly basis. Analyzes industry and dealer trends, assess risks and opportunities. 6 Sigma training is a key attribute to this position as worldwide historical statistics on sales, pins, market indicators play a critical role in effective forecasting and trend management of product demand. Customers include product managers, commercial managers, marketing managers and operations managers worldwide. Monthly presentations include reports to Vice Presidents of Business Units and marketing.
• Optimize product mix in short supply based on margin, forecasts, large project requirements, special customers, etc. Provides availability administration including demand management, special order programs, responding to critical deals, quoting delivery for large projects, etc. Prepares scheduling proposals to accommodate special situations or reviewing costs and consequences of layoffs, carrying inventory, etc.
• Oversee analysis and development of complex attachment forecasts utilizing the latest tools available to compensate for changes in dealer ordering behavior. Monitors attachment inventory daily and develops schedules to achieve inventory turns goals while maintaining good availability on key attachments to compensate for order changes and diversions from stock inventory.
• The position manages a work unit of primarily management/professional employees where monitoring and reviewing work of subordinates is required as well as training, developing and mentoring. The position is responsible for all personnel issues and performance evaluation of subordinates.
• Develop phase in/phaseout schedule plans for New Product Introduction. Provide input to scheduling and orders analysts performance reviews.
• Manage prime product inventory.

Requirements

• College degree or equivalent experience in business or related field.
• APICS Certification required.
• CPIM/CPM Certification preferred.
• LEAN/Six Sigma background (Black Belt or Master Black Belt preferred).
• Master Production Scheduler Background with “Best Practices” discrete manufacturing companies.
• 5+ years experience in Scheduling.
• Extensive knowledge of prime products and attachments.
• In-depth knowledge of Advanced Planning Systems (SAP, APS, etc) is expected.
• Knowledge of economic conditions and markets.
• Strong people management skills / experience providing training to analysts is helpful.