Manager, Demand Planning

About This Opportunity

As a Demand Planning Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving the success of our supply chain by optimizing demand forecasting, ensuring seamless alignment between cross-functional teams, and executing data-driven strategies. This is not just a forecasting role—it’s an opportunity to influence business strategy, enhance decision-making, and lead critical initiatives that directly impact profitability, inventory management, and customer satisfaction.
You will leverage advanced forecasting models, deep analytics, and your expertise in S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) to deliver high-impact, actionable insights that drive business outcomes. 
The Demand Planning Manager will report into the Sr Demand Planning Manager and is accountable for the management of the demand planning process for their assigned business area as part of our national S&OP Process.
The Demand Planning Manager must blend analytical skills with strategic thinking, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration to ensure that the business can meet customer demand without overstocking or understocking inventory. They need to be proactive problem solvers, able to adapt to changes in the market while keeping the organization aligned and focused on achieving its business goals.
These responsibilities are crucial in ensuring the success of both the demand planning function and the larger supply chain operation.

Responsibilities

• Generate a baseline 12-month statistical forecast model using Blue Yonder system. Determine, document and maintain all statistical parameters used to drive a ‘best fit’ model.
• Lead Demand Planning Strategy: Own and optimize the demand planning process from start to finish, driving strategy, aligning with business goals, and ensuring forecast accuracy for all product lines across multiple channels.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Be the glue between Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain to align on business assumptions and priorities, delivering a 360-degree view of demand while fostering collaborative decision-making.
• Advanced Forecasting & Analytics: Utilize advanced statistical methods, machine learning models, and historical data to create highly accurate demand forecasts that reflect changing market conditions and customer behavior.
• Drive S&OP Process: Lead and refine the S&OP process, from demand planning meetings to executive reviews, ensuring that both supply and demand are synchronized for optimal performance.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify demand-driven risks and opportunities, driving continuous improvement initiatives that improve forecast accuracy, reduce inventory costs, and enhance service levels across the organization.
• Reporting & Data-Driven Insights: Build and present actionable insights through key metrics (forecast accuracy, bias) to senior leadership, influencing decision-making and operational strategy.

Qualifications

• Proven Leadership: 4+ years of progressive experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain strategy.
• Advanced Forecasting Expertise: In-depth experience with demand planning software (Blue Yonder,  SAP IBP, Oracle Demantra, Kinaxis, etc.), advanced Excel skills, and familiarity with statistical forecasting techniques.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong business acumen with the ability to translate data insights into actionable strategies that improve business performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to drive cross-functional collaboration and influence decision-making with senior leadership.
• Results-Oriented: Track record of improving forecasting accuracy, reducing inventory costs, and driving supply chain efficiencies.
• Strong Communication: Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate complex data insights to non-technical stakeholders and executive teams.
• Professional certificate with Association for Supply Chain Management (APICS), Supply Chain Management Association Ontario (SCMA) or Six Sigma/Lean is an asset.
• Experience in consumer-packaged goods (CPG) environment is an asset.