Global Demand Planner

The Global Demand Planner at Lime is responsible for developing and refining demand forecast models, leveraging analytical tools like Google Sheets, and collaborating with various teams to monitor market trends. Their responsibilities include improving demand forecast precision, preparing and analyzing large datasets for insightful reporting, continuously refining planning processes, and ensuring product availability amid supply chain challenges.

To become a Global Demand Planner at Lime, candidates should possess 3-5 years of experience in demand planning or supply chain management and hold a Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business, economics, or statistics. A Master's degree, APICS certification, and proficiency in planning tools and methodologies are advantageous for applicants seeking to strengthen their profiles.

The Global Demand Planner plays a critical role in ensuring that Lime's operations run smoothly, contributing directly to our mission of making transportation shared and carbon-free. By accurately forecasting demand and analyzing market trends, the planner helps optimize inventory management and supply chain processes, ensuring that our electric vehicles are available to those who need them.

A Global Demand Planner at Lime typically uses advanced planning tools and software including Google Sheets, Anaplan, NetSuite, Oracle, and Tableau. Proficiency in these tools is essential for creating accurate forecasts and supporting effective decision-making processes.

Lime promotes a culture of growth and development for its employees, including Global Demand Planners. Opportunities for professional development include accessing advanced training and resources for certification, participating in cross-functional projects, and contributing to innovative forecasting techniques that enhance demand planning capabilities.

In a dynamic market, I emphasize flexibility and adaptability in my demand forecasting approach. I always incorporate historical data, seasonal trends, and monitor market fluctuations closely. By utilizing predictive analytics, I can adjust forecasts proactively, ensuring that our supply chain remains agile and responsive to changing customer needs.

Certainly! I have extensive experience using tools such as Google Sheets, Anaplan, and Tableau for demand planning. Each of these tools has its strengths, and I'm comfortable navigating them to develop accurate forecasts, analyze trends, and report on key performance metrics that drive strategic decision-making.

Ensuring data accuracy and integrity is crucial for reliable forecasting. I routinely implement validation checks during the data collection process, cross-verify data from different sources, and keep a close eye on any anomalies. By maintaining quality control and integrating feedback from stakeholders, I enhance the reliability of my forecasting models.

In my previous roles, I pursued continuous improvement by analyzing past forecasts against actual performance, identifying patterns and discrepancies. I then leveraged those insights to optimize processes, such as adjusting the input variables in forecasting models or adopting new technologies that automate tasks, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the demand planning cycle.

One challenging situation arose when an unexpected market trend led to a significant spike in demand for our products. I quickly gathered my team, analyzed the contributing factors, and implemented a contingency plan that involved collaborating closely with supply chain partners to secure additional inventory. This proactive approach minimized potential stockouts and ensured customer satisfaction.

I utilize several statistical methodologies, including time series analysis, regression analysis, and moving averages, to create reliable demand forecasts. Each methodology has its unique application depending on the data patterns observed, and I select the ones that best suit the product and market conditions for accurate predictions.

Collaboration with cross-functional teams is vital in demand planning. I maintain open lines of communication with teams in inventory management, logistics, and finance, making sure that we share insights and align on key factors like order sizes and market dynamics. This teamwork ensures that our demand planning is comprehensive and reflective of all elements of our operations.

To monitor market trends, I employ various methods, such as analyzing industry reports, competitor analysis, and leveraging tools that provide market insights. By regularly reviewing these sources, I can adjust forecasts to reflect emerging trends quickly and effectively, enabling our planning process to stay relevant and forward-thinking.

Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) is a collaborative process that aligns sales forecasts with operational plans to ensure harmonized decision-making. I've successfully applied S&OP by facilitating consensus meetings with stakeholders, ensuring that various departmental insights are integrated into a holistic demand plan, which in turn supports effective resource allocation and inventory management.

If I identified a risk in my demand plan, my first step would be to conduct a thorough analysis to understand the root cause of the risk. I would then engage stakeholders to brainstorm solutions and possible adjustments to the forecast. Finally, I would implement these changes and monitor the results closely, evaluating the effectiveness to minimize the risk further.