Demand Planner

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Job Type

Full-time

Description

Lactalis American Group is currently seeking candidates to join our Supply Chain team in Buffalo, NY.

Lactalis, the world leader in dairy, is a family-owned business with more than 85,000 pragmatic and ambitious professionals worldwide, committed to nurturing the future by providing healthy and delicious dairy products that bring people together every day. We offer an enviable range of dairy brands including Galbani, Président, Kraft Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel, Black Diamond, Parmalat, Siggi's, and Stonyfield Organic in addition to several brands imported from our affiliates in Europe.

At Lactalis, our core values of AMBITION, ENGAGEMENT, and SIMPLICITY are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to building a safe, diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace and we know that our candidates come from many different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. If you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we still encourage you to apply and share with us your STORY, your PASSION, and your EXPERTISE! You may be just the perfect candidate for this or other roles within our company.

From your PASSION to ours

The Demand Planner will be responsible for the short, medium, and long-range demand forecasting of assigned product lines and/or channels of business. Will analyze demand and use forecasting software to generate resource and D.C. level forecasts. Must have a thorough understanding of the linkages between the market, various distribution channels, the sales forecast, the strategic plan, and the master production schedule.

From your EXPERTISE to ours

Key responsibilities for this position include:

• Will drive to continuously improve the sales forecasting process within the S&OP process.

• Will drive the CDP process with Commercial and Finance teams to align the financial forecast with the Consensus Demand Plan. Any significant variances need to be analyzed for clarity.

• Will have the ability to obtain and analyze data from the industry, the Sales force, Central Planning, and the Customer Service Department for inclusion into the rolling short-term and long-term demand forecast.

• Regularly validate forecast splits down to the Item/D.C./week level. Adjust the short-term D.C. week forecasts as necessary to support effective deployment of inventory.

• Produce and publish CDP reports and forecast accuracy metrics. Explain variances, note uncertainty, and highlight risk areas. Ensure clear presentational skills for audiences not familiar with department tools and verbiage.

• Analyze buying patterns of key customers and predict how they will react to incentives. Analyze market response to new products and use this to develop forecasts for new items not yet introduced.

• Work directly with Demand Planning manager on projects, and drive change with implementing new processes when applicable.

• Regularly communicate with Central Supply Planner(s) to identify any challenges and/or bottlenecks.

• Perform ongoing analysis of factors affecting forecasts and develop forecasts in a timely manner for communication.

• Provide any necessary training to new demand planners or associate demand planners.

• Demonstrate commitment to a safe working environment that promotes the health and well-being of all employees and that will further contribute to the Company's overall performance and success.

• Travel and/or extended or off work hours may be required.

• This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

• To fulfill these responsibilities, tools such as a computer, phone, and/or allowance(s) may be provided.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these Essential Duties and Responsibilities.

Requirements

From your STORY to ours

Qualified applicants will contribute the following:

Education

• Ideal individual will possess a Bachelor's degree or higher; Supply Chain, Finance, or Statistics preferred

Experience

• 3+ years Planning experience preferred

• Experience in Food Industry, Relative Supply Chain, or Financial Analysis preferred.

Specialized Knowledge

• To perform this job, the individual will need to be able to learn and use FuturMaster, Stratum, and AS/400.

Skills / Abilities

• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially Microsoft Excel and ability to work with Pivot Tables.

• The individual will need to have strong communication skills (Oral & Electronic) to effectively work with cross functional teams in a clear and concise format for all pertinent audiences.

Professional Certifications

• APICS or CPIM certification or similar knowledge is beneficial.

Lactalis is an equal employment opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against applicants with regard to any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to: veteran status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and physical or mental disabilities.

Salary Description

$63,000 - $75,000