Demand Planner

Chairmans Foods specializes in producing a wide range of high quality, consistent customer solutions - main courses, side dishes, queso, ready-to-eat protein salads custom solutions for foodservice operators and retail stores. Chairmans has succeeded over the years with open communication, integrity, and with a deep commitment to southern hospitality.

Driven by our mission, vision and values, employee and food safety are always our top priority. www.chairmansfoods.com

Job Summary:

The Demand Planner plays a critical role in forecasting demand and optimizing inventory levels across the company's portfolio of products. This position requires a keen analytical mind combined with a thorough understanding of market trends, sales performance, promotional activities, and production capabilities. By accurately predicting future demand, the Demand Planner ensures that the company can meet customer needs while maintaining efficient inventory levels regardless of manufacturing location. This role is central to the company's ability to achieve customer service levels, including customer shelf-life requirements. financial targets and operational efficiencies, making strategic contributions to minimize waste and improve product availability.

Position Duties/ Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain the demand planning model and ensure its accuracy and relevance.
• Monitor and report on important changes in sales forecasts, budgets, and business strategies.
• Conduct monthly forecast maintenance and update forecast models based on changes in market and business trends.
• Attend and actively participate in supply chain meetings, providing insights and recommendations based on demand planning analysis.
• Support the S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) processes by providing detailed demand insights including S&OP Executive meeting Data / Insights.
• Other duties as needed

Demand Forecasting:

Utilize historical sales data along with market trends, promotional activities to develop accurate demand forecasts. Work closely with sales and marketing teams to understand promotional activities and seasonal demand shifts.

Inventory Optimization:

• Collaborate with procurement and production planning teams to align inventory levels with forecasted demand, ensuring optimal stock availability including customer shelf-life requirements.
• Implement strategies to reduce excess inventory and minimize stockouts.
• Conduct weekly calls with each Plants’ management teams to outline actual and forecasted demand and the production requirements over the next 4 weeks.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Procurement, Sales, Marketing, Production, Plant Scheduler, and Finance departments to align demand forecasts with sales strategies, production capacities, customer service levels, including customer shelf-life requirements and financial objectives.

Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Utilize advanced analytics and data visualization tools to present demand forecasts and inventory levels to senior management.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to demand planning accuracy and inventory health.

Continuous Improvement:

• Continuously refine forecasting techniques, methodologies, and data analysis processes.
• Identify and implement best practices in demand planning to drive efficiency and accuracy.

Education/Experience

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Economics, or a related field.
• Possess a minimum of 3 years experience in demand planning, inventory management, or a closely related function within a manufacturing or retail environment.
• Exhibit strong analytical and quantitative skills, with a proven ability to interpret and leverage large sets of data to make informed decisions.
• Demonstrate proficiency in forecasting methodologies and inventory management practices.
• Have excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and with senior management.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL, Power BI) and familiarity with ERP and demand planning software.

Chairmans Foods is an EEO employer and conducts background checks and drug testing as part of the hiring process.