Global Demand Planning Lead

Job Description

Kraft Heinz is looking for a Global Demand Planning Lead to define, govern, and continuously improve the company's global Demand Planning capabilities and strategies.

This strategic leadership role is responsible for Establishing and governing forecasting excellence and setting a global operating model for Demand Planning. The role establishes global standards, drives digital and data-enabled planning, and is also accountable for ensuring adherence to operating standards by partnering with senior stakeholders to develop and implement Gap closing initiatives.

The role necessitates strategic thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to influence diverse cross-functional teams and their leaders. In addition, this function will bring critical business expertise to the overall demand planning programs. By leveraging their expertise and skills, the Global Demand Planning Lead plays a pivotal role in shaping demand planning initiatives, ensuring optimal process design, efficient system configuration, and effective system deployment with business units.

Demand Planning strategy and performance

Define and Deploy Demand Planning strategy, roadmap, standards, methodologies, and governance. Drive sustained improvement in forecast accuracy, forecast bias, service levels, inventory health, and supply chain losses. Establish global performance routines, manage forecasting KPIs and track performance with zones. Build a strong community of demand planning experts across business units and markets. Govern Demand Planning and IBP KPIs, monitor process performance, and provide actionable insights and recommendations. Identify risks, capability gaps, and improvement opportunities; develop mitigation plans; benchmark against industry practices; and embed operating standards through Log.os and related enterprise frameworks.

IBP process ownership and decision governance

Lead and coordinate the design of Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and demand planning processes and systems. Set global strategies for Kraft Heinz's S&OP and demand planning.

Execute the S&OP and demand planning roadmap, aligning with overall business priorities. Foster strong partnerships across Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Commercial, Growth,

Marketing, Procurement, GBS, and GCC teams. Lead cross-functional reviews, align assumptions and resources, escalate risks and opportunities, and facilitate executive decision-making in the Demand Review Forum. Coordinate feedback and actions.

Digital, data and transformation

Support the Digital Team in the Development of a digital roadmap for S&OP and demand planning.- Design, implement, and govern process improvements via operating program Log.os framework. Drive user adoption and provide training for S&OP and demand planning systems.- Collect and incorporate feedback for system enhancements. Implement data science approach in routines and tools.

Capability and talent development

Develop talent and build a community of high-performing demand planners and subject matter experts. Develop global capability frameworks, training programs, and knowledge-sharing routines for forecasting, scenario planning, Demand Planning, and IBP. Coach and mentor regional leaders and practitioners, strengthen the community of practice, and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Executive stakeholder leadership

Be seen as the expert in Demand Planning and the Go to for support relating to Demand Planning and the IBP Process. Lead cross-functional projects with business units and markets, engaging senior leadership.

Knowledge & Experience:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Engineering, Economics, Finance, or a related field

- 10+ years of experience in Demand Planning, S&OP, IBP, Supply Chain, Finance, or Planning Excellence roles within a complex global FMCG organization

- Extensive knowledge of statistical forecasting methodologies, demand planning cycles, and integrated business planning processes

- Proven experience leading global, cross-functional planning transformation projects and implementing planning process improvements and KPIs

- Experience leading through influence across global, regional, business unit, vendor, consulting, and system-integration teams

Skills (Capabilities):

- Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate data, scenarios, and business insights into clear decisions and actions.

- Excellent communication, presentation, facilitation, and influencing skills, with the ability to align senior stakeholders across functions and geographies.

- Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional collaboration and enterprise change within a complex multinational organization.

- Proven ability to define and govern global standards, process frameworks, decision rights, metrics, and continuous improvement roadmaps.

- Deep knowledge of Demand Planning, S&OP/IBP, supply chain management, financial integration, scenario planning, and performance management.

- Strong project management, problem-solving, vendor management, talent development, and community-building capabilities.

The Lead will work across all global zones and multiple business units and markets, coordinating multifunctional teams across Commercial, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, GBS, GCC, and Digital. The role engages senior leadership to govern global Demand Planning and IBP standards, deliver transformation priorities, and improve planning maturity and business outcomes.

The role may lead significant consulting and transformation initiatives, including multi-year programs.

Location(s)

Amsterdam

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.