Central Demand Planner

Job Overview

We are hiring a highly analytical and self-driven Central Demand Planner to take full ownership of the monthly demand planning process and elevate its maturity across multiple product lines, regions, and functions.

This role is critical in shaping demand into actionable plans that align with commercial strategy and supply constraints. It is not a support function, it is a strategic, decision-enabling role that operates at the center of our global planning process.

This is a fully remote position, ideally supporting the European time zone, reporting to the S&OP Manager.

________________________________________

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Global Demand Planning Cycle of the S&OP process: Own and execute the monthly demand process from system handover to consensus sign-off. Coordinate inputs from Sales, Product Management, and Finance, and ensure outputs feed into supply planning and S&OP.


• Improve Forecast Accuracy: Drive measurable improvements in MAPE, Bias, and Forecast Adherence. Use data-driven techniques and root-cause analysis to understand gaps and implement corrective actions.


• Bridge Strategy and Execution: Translate commercial assumptions and market intelligence into an aligned, actionable forecast that drives capacity, procurement, and financial planning.


• Advance Tools and Reporting: Develop and maintain robust forecasting reports and KPIs using Excel, Power BI (or Tableau), and SAP IBP. Push the team toward automated, visual, and insightful reporting.


• Facilitate Consensus and Governance: Orchestrate monthly consensus meetings and prepare executive-ready materials that clearly communicate changes, assumptions, and risks.


• Support Constrained Planning: Collaborate with the Supply Planner to identify constraint-driven adjustments and simulate scenarios to evaluate trade-offs.


• Enhance Collaboration and Accountability: Act as the single point of contact for demand planning across regions. Push for timely inputs, challenge assumptions, and ensure cross-functional accountability.


• Lead Process Improvements: Identify inefficiencies and design solutions—whether it’s template optimization, system enhancements, or training stakeholders on best practices.


• Support S&OP Strategy: Contribute actively to the broader S&OP cycle, including confidence-level strategies, forecast version control, and long-range planning exercises.

________________________________________

What Success Looks Like

• Increased forecast accuracy with clear ownership of forecast drivers


• Faster and cleaner consensus cycles with improved cross-functional engagement


• Reliable reporting that shifts focus from data collection to decision-making


• A scalable process that enables constrained and scenario-based planning

________________________________________

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; Master’s preferred


• Minimum 5 years of experience in demand planning or S&OP in a multinational environment


• Demonstrated ability to work independently and proactively influence cross-functional teams


• High proficiency in Excel and Power BI (or Tableau); experience with SAP IBP is strongly preferred


• Strong business acumen and communication skills; able to translate data into decisions


• Fluent in English