Demand Planning Specialist

This role will be responsible for ensuring accurate demand forecasting at the category level. The position involves strong collaboration with the statistical modeling team, analyzing market trends, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and utilizing data to develop and maintain demand forecasts for assigned product categories. The Specialist will work closely with DP & DSP Managers to gather insights, understand business drivers, adjust forecasts as needed, and effectively communicate forecast changes and insights to support supply chain and business decisions. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, independent decision-making, and effective communication are essential for success in this role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain demand forecasts for assigned product categories, utilizing historical data, market trends, and drivers and insights from key stakeholders.
• Analyze factors that impact demand for Nestlé products, including category trends, trade promotions, high-reaching products, seasonality, retail consumption, and distribution channels, to build a demand plan that quantifies the business environment across a rolling longer-term horizon.
• Use appropriate statistical models and parameters in partnership with the statistical modeling team to enrich statistical forecasts and generate accurate base demand forecasts in the forecasting system at the Item/DC/Week level.
• Partner with DP & DSP Managers and cross-functional stakeholders across Supply Chain, Sales, and Marketing to gather relevant data, business drivers, and insights to improve forecast accuracy.
• Effectively communicate forecast changes, risks, opportunities, and key insights with DP & DSP Managers to help drive supply chain and broader business decisions.
• Monitor and analyze market trends, competitor activity, and customer behavior to identify potential demand fluctuations and adjust forecasts accordingly.
• Conduct regular forecast reviews and collaborate with stakeholders to incorporate relevant inputs and business drivers into the demand forecast.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain and Production teams to support optimal inventory levels, minimize stockouts and excess inventory, and improve overall supply chain efficiency.
• Maintain awareness of factory and production capacity, distribution center constraints, and raw material supply, and understand their potential impact on forward-looking demand.
• Identify and communicate potential risks and opportunities based on demand forecasts to relevant stakeholders.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis on forecast accuracy, demand trends, and key performance indicators to support decision-making.
• Continuously improve demand planning processes, methodologies, and systems to enhance forecast accuracy and efficiency.
• Support Supply Chain through the establishment of standard methodologies and foundational processes.

REQUIREMENTS & MINIMUM EDUCATION LEVEL

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret complex data, market trends, and customer insights.
• Proficiency in statistical forecasting methods, demand planning software, and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, time-management, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across organizational levels.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong ability to influence with integrity and influence without authority.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic business environment.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and understand which actions can be decided independently versus when escalation or leadership alignment is required.
• Strong creative-thinking and problem-solving skills, particularly when developing solutions to complex problems that may not have one clear answer.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 2+ years of experience in Supply Planning, Demand Planning, Supply Chain, Analytics, Operations, or a related field.
• Experience with ERP systems and demand planning software.

SKILLS

• Advanced Microsoft Excel
• Advanced Analytics
• Demand Planning & Forecasting
• Statistical Forecasting
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Stakeholder Communication & Influence
• Independent Decision-Making & Appropriate Escalation
• Problem Solving