Demand Planning Manager

As a Demand Planning Manager, your primary responsibilities will include overseeing all internal and external shipment demand and production planning activities, translating sales forecasts into actionable production plans, and maintaining the production calendar. You'll coordinate with manufacturing directors to ensure sales demand is met and regularly collaborate with the freight and logistics team to guarantee timely inventory delivery to the 3PL network.

To qualify for the Demand Planning Manager position, you should have 4-6 years of experience in demand planning, ideally in a beverage-focused CPG manufacturing environment. A strong background in managing both in-house and externally co-manufactured products is essential, along with proficiency in inventory management and advanced data analytics skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel.

In the role of Demand Planning Manager, you'll partner closely with the commercial team to develop efficient planning systems. You'll translate the sales forecasts they provide into precise demand and production plans that align with business goals, ensuring everyone is on the same page regarding inventory needs and shipment timelines.

The Demand Planning Manager will utilize various planning tools and systems to enhance accuracy and efficiency. You will have the opportunity to maintain and refine these tools, which may include advanced software and Microsoft Excel, to ensure optimal performance in translating sales forecasts into actionable plans and inventory management.

Key skills for a successful Demand Planning Manager include excellent communication and problem-solving abilities, a strong customer-focused mindset, and the capacity to lead and coordinate cross-functional teams. Additionally, proficiency in project management and a deep understanding of CPG manufacturing processes, especially in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage production, are crucial.

When answering this question, highlight your background in demand planning within the beverage-focused CPG sector, detailing specific examples of your previous roles. Discuss how you translated sales forecasts into production plans, emphasizing your capacity to maintain efficient inventory levels and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Your response should outline your systematic approach to demand forecasting, using historical data, sales trends, and market insights. Explain how you analyze this information to project inventory needs accurately and how you adjust plans in response to market changes to optimize stock levels.

Emphasize the importance of open communication and collaboration. Share how you hold regular meetings with manufacturing and logistics teams to ensure alignment and foster a cooperative atmosphere. Mention how your relationship-building skills have contributed to successful partnership outcomes.

When discussing a successful project, outline the goals set, the challenges faced, and the specific actions you took to meet those goals. Provide quantitative results to showcase your impact, and relate it back to optimizing demand planning processes and improving efficiency.

Discuss your analytical approach to identifying the root causes of discrepancies between forecasts and actual results. Share examples of how you have adjusted future forecasts based on these insights, demonstrating your adaptability and commitment to continuous improvement.

Describe your familiarity with S&OP processes and your role in contributing to those initiatives in your previous positions. Highlight how you've ensured that sales and operational teams are synchronized to achieve overarching business goals.

Detail your experience in managing inventory across various internal and external warehousing networks. Discuss your strategies for ensuring optimal stock levels while minimizing costs, including how you used data analytics for decision-making.

Share your techniques for prioritization, such as using project management tools or methodologies like the Eisenhower Box. Emphasize how you balance urgent requests with strategic tasks to maintain efficiency across your planning efforts.

Reflect on the importance of collaboration, detailed data analysis, and flexibility. Mention how successful demand planning hinges on accurate forecasting, effective communication across departments, and the ability to adapt to shifting market conditions.

Discuss the ways in which you keep abreast of industry trends, such as attending webinars, participating in capacity-building workshops, or networking within professional organizations. Share specific examples of how this knowledge has helped inform and improve your demand planning strategies.