Demand Planner - AID

Overview

Werfen

Werfen, founded in 1966, is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and distributor of specialized diagnostic instruments, related reagents, automation workcells, and data management solutions for use primarily in hospitals and independent clinical laboratories.  The Company’s business lines include Hemostasis, Acute Care, and Autoimmunity diagnostics, as well as Original Equipment Manufacturing.  Our success comes from a specific focus in these rapidly evolving diagnostic areas, our commitment to customers, and our dedication to innovation and quality.  We’re passionate about providing healthcare professionals the most valuable and complete solutions to improve hospital efficiency and enhance patient care.

Our North American Commercial Operations, as well as our Headquarters and Technology Center for Hemostasis and Acute Care Diagnostics, are based in Bedford, MA.  Our Headquarters and Technology Center for Autoimmunity Diagnostics is based in San Diego, CA.  Additionally, our Technology Center for Hemostasis and Blood Gas Reagents is in Orangeburg, NY, and our Technology Center for Whole Blood Hemostasis is in San Diego, CA.

Position Summary:

As a senior member of the department, the Demand Planner has primary responsibility for the demand planning function.  This position creates and maintains forecast models for customers, incorporating business intelligence and forecast information gathered from Sales, Marketing, Finance, and other sources if required, to gain a full picture of demand. The Demand Planner is the integration point into the Commercial Operations organization. Responsible for transparent and ongoing communication with key counterparts in Sales and Marketing.  Performs supply planner tasks, as needed.  As a senior member of the team, provides training and guidance to junior staff members.  Ensures all responsibilities are carried out in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies and applicable regulations and standards.

Responsibilities

Key Accountabilities

• Creates and maintains demand and statistical forecasts, incorporating current, accurate market information to allow Inova to correctly predict customer demand and provide staff and departments with information to plan and achieve customer expectations.
• Develops demand forecasts (operational forecasts) at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons as part of a demand planning function.
• Closely coordinates and communicates customer action plans with Supply Planners.
• Summarizes / aggregates statistical forecast for Supply Planners.
• Reviews forecast accuracy levels through KPIs to estimate potential utilization.
• Analyzes historical sales trends, researches demand drivers, prepares forecast data, develops statistical forecast models, and evaluates forecast results.
• Reviews sales plans, customer finance budget updates, or latest estimates and demand drivers with Marketing and Sales for adherence to budget.
• Develops, maintains and report Demand planning metrics.
• Refines systems, processes and methodologies to continually improve forecasts, leading to better anticipation of customer needs and requirements.
• Strives to improved relationships among key stakeholders, including Planners, Sales, Marketing and Finance, to achieve effective knowledge sharing and an optimal consensus forecast to better guide the company.
• Interacts with Sales, Marketing, and customer Finance to understand demand forecast drivers.
• Coordinates cross-functional research activities to reconcile significant variances and refine the forecast model to reflect updated Sales and Marketing assumptions.
• Achieves consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative Sales and Operations planning process with Sales, Marketing and Finance personnel.
• Uses and maintains SAP as the primary forecasting system tool; updates and validates SAP for all products.
• Provides input to the Supply Planning team to develop inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs.
• Identifies current and potential shortages, develops and executes recovery, and advises interested parties of status and recovery plans
• Ensures compliance with applicable Inova standard operating procedures (SOPs), ISO, FDA and other Quality System regulations, as well as applicable Environmental Health & Safety, Human Resources and other regulatory and administrative policies.
• Reflects the Werfen and Inova values in the quality of work performed and in working relationships.

Skills & Capabilities

• Analytical and data driven
• Attention to detail and quality
• Strong organizational skills
• Adaptable, flexible and resilient
• Ability to communicate to all levels of the organization

Qualifications

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in business, logistics, inventory management or other related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in supply chain planning / purchasing environment required.
• Understanding and application of demand planning roles and responsibilities required.
• Working knowledge of biological and chemical laboratory procedures required.
• Deep understanding of supply planning methodologies and processes required.
• In depth knowledge of SAP (Material Master / Demand Planning / Customer Master /MD04 / ZPP04).
• Intermediate level expertise using Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel required, advanced skills preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with good documentation practices required.
• Ability to develop, maintain and report meaningful metrics required.

Salary Range:

$80,00- $112,000

Individual compensation is based on the candidates experience, skills, knowledge, education, certifications, internal equity, budget and or other business and organizational needs. 

Werfen appreciates and values diversity.  We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V.