• Demand Planning Manager

    US Tech Solutions (Creve Coeur, MO)


    Job Description:

    Duration : 7 months contract (with possible extension)

     

    The role is critical to ensuring continuity in sales forecasting, driving S&OP+ processes, and maintaining alignment across cross-functional stakeholders.

    Role Purpose:

    To lead the development of the unit sales forecast for company through the S&OP+ Demand Management Review (DMR). This role ensures the integrity of forecast assumptions, fosters transparency in decision-making, and partners closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, and Regional Demand Planning to produce an accurate, aligned, and reality-based demand plan.

    Key Responsibilities:

    1. Forecast Management:

    • Lead the monthly forecast cycle, including coordination and execution of the DMR process.

    • Maintain and update the rolling 26-month forecast based on input from Sales, Marketing, and leadership.

    • Utilize FuturMaster statistical forecasts and market insights to challenge and enhance forecast accuracy.

    2. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

    • Facilitate ongoing alignment with Sales Leadership on forecast Risks & Opportunities.

    • Partner with CPFR and Regional Demand Planning teams to validate and refine demand signals.

    • Work with Marketing and Sales to develop forecasts for new products, discontinuations, and innovation pipelines.

    3. Forecast Assumption Management:

    • Document, challenge, and update forecast assumptions across assigned Business Units.

    • Monitor forecast accuracy and perform root cause analysis on significant variances.

    • Communicate forecast changes and business drivers clearly across the organization.

    4. Strategic Support:

    • Support Joint Business Planning (JBP) efforts and provide input into Annual Operating Plans.

    • Influence functional business decisions using data-driven storytelling and demand analytics.

    • Provide ad hoc analysis and reporting for Business Units to support planning and execution.

    Key Deliverables:

    • Monthly rolling 26-month forecast submission

    • Demand Management Review presentation and alignment

    • Forecast assumption log and documentation

    • New product/innovation forecast models

    • Forecast accuracy tracking and improvement insights

    Collaboration Network:

    • Sales Leadership Teams

    • Business Unit General Managers

    • Regional Demand Planners

    • CPFR & Supply Planning Teams

    • Marketing and Finance

    Required Experience

    + 5+ years of experience in Demand Planning, Sales Planning, or S&OP.

    + Proven experience managing rolling forecasts and leading DMR or S&OP processes.

    + Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Finance.

    Deal breakers:

    + Lack of experience leading a formal forecasting process (DMR or S&OP).

    + Inability to explain forecast assumptions or articulate forecast accuracy metrics

    Required Skills (include soft skills):

    Hard Skills:

    + Demand planning systems (FuturMaster, SAP APO, or similar).

    + Data analysis and forecast accuracy management.

    + Strong Excel or data modeling skills.

    + Experience with new product forecasting and assumption documentation.

    Soft Skills:

    + Strong communicator and storyteller with data.

    + Ability to align and influence senior stakeholders.

    + High attention to detail and strong ownership mentality.

    + Strategic thinking combined with hands-on execution.

    Must Have:

    + Experience with demand planning software such as FuturMaster, SAP APO, JDA, or Kinaxis.

    + Comfortable with Excel modeling and dashboards.

    Good to Have:

    + Experience with BI tools (Power BI, Tableau).

    + Knowledge of pet care, Client, or retail industry dynamics.

    + Familiarity with customer planning processes such as CPFR or JBP.

    Education:

    + Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain, Finance, or related field.

    Preferred Qualifications:

    + Preferred Education in Business, Supply Chain Management, or related quantitative field

    + Preferred Experience- Prior experience in the pet care or Client industry.

    + Exposure to regional/global planning environments.

    + Direct involvement in Joint Business Planning with key customers.

    Preferred Skills:

    + Scenario planning and demand shaping expertise.

    + Forecasting for innovation and lifecycle management.

    + Experience leading continuous improvement in forecast accuracy.

    About US Tech Solutions:

    US Tech Solutions is a global staff augmentation firm providing a wide range of talent on-demand and total workforce solutions. To know more about US Tech Solutions, please visit www.ustechsolutions.com (http://www.ustechsolutionsinc.com) .

     

    US Tech Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.