Manager, Demand Planning

Job ID: 2629 

Alternate Locations: United States-Georgia-Atlanta; United States-Connecticut-Norwalk; United States-North Carolina-Huntersville 

Newell Brands is a leading $8.3B consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands such as Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid® and Sharpie®, and 25,000 talented employees around the world. Our high-performance culture, unparalleled curiosity about the world around us, and talented people fuel our success. Our culture is enabled through our core values which guide all we do and how we win as One Newell. They are Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership & Leadership.

This position can be based in South Deerfield MA, Atlanta GA, Huntersville NC or Norwalk CT.

The Manager of Demand Planning is responsible for developing and maintaining an unbiased rolling 24-month unit forecast at the item level for their accounts/categories using current forecasting methodologies to enhance forecast accuracy (WFA), minimize forecast bias, and optimize inventory levels while achieving mutual financial objectives and expected customer service levels.

The Manager of Demand Planning manages internal and external relationships – understanding when to elevate concerns and/or utilize corporate resources to satisfy customer needs or requirements to maximize objectives consistent with customer and organizational expectations.

Demand Planning and Operations

• For the short, medium, and long-term develops a data-driven perspective on POS expectations, inventory levels, and competitive marketplace dynamics to enhance the creation of an unbiased 24 month rolling forecast that utilizes a combination of statistical algorithms and manual overrides.
• Through the Demand Review (S&OP) meeting/process, drive collaboration of the monthly planning cycle with Sales, Marketing, Finance and Operations to obtain necessary internal alignment on item/category/customer level forecasts.
• Proactively identifies risks and opportunities to Plan achievement and works collaboratively to ensure the appropriate level of activity is applied to resolve – including the need to respect lead-time.
• Reviews item/category/customer forecasts with Supply Planning team to ensure alignment on inventory targets.
• Works collaboratively with Supply Planning team to identify supply gaps and offer solutions to minimize out of stock and/or fill rate issues. Constrains forecast as needed throughout the item hierarchy; Assists in the identification of strategies and solutions to handle disposition of unproductive inventory unique to the account.
• Manages the outlier process; works closely with Sales to identify opportunities or risks to the forecast that require Supply Chain approval prior to entering the forecast.

Reporting, Communication, and Planning

• Identifies root cause of poor service level performance and takes corrective action; Optimizes Service Level along with WFA and Attainment.
• Provides visibility to weekly orders versus forecast and assesses potential mix issues an impact to the future forecast.
• Anticipates potential supply chain issues and actively communicates to sales teams. Offers potential solutions in conjunction with appropriate supply team member.
• Conducts comprehensive monthly pre-DRM meeting covering current forecast, prior forecast, prior year, POS, and inventory position. Incorporates overall marketplace performance and its impact on the forecast. Elevates issues to Senior Manager for resolution in DRM.
• Develops expert knowledge of account business practices related to and/or including inventory flow, inventory policy, store openings, and warehouse pulls and triggers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, Supply Chain or Operations.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in demand planning, supply planning, buying or related field.
• Proven business management experience working across organization and with varying levels of leadership.
• Proven leadership as a people manager with experience developing talent and providing career path opportunities.
• Proven ability to communicate complex conclusions simply and succinctly.
• Successful experience in data analytics
• Experienced in balancing self-managed tasks and projects with management led activities and requirements.
• Excellent PC skills with an emphasis on advanced planning systems and Excel
• Proficiency in SAP APO/IBP or Oracle DM Cloud Demand Planning software and the ability to interpret results from other internal operational support software such as Power BI

Key Competencies

• Innate curiosity
• Strong Relationship Management skills
• Ability to leverage and work across the organization and with various levels.
• Analytical and interpretation skills
• Self-motivated
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to present/communicate complex data to a diverse audience.

Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. We are focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.