Sr. Director of Demand Planning

The Opportunity:

The Senior Director of Demand Planning is responsible for leading and executing the demand planning process across the organization. This includes implementing Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), managing demand forecasting, and translating the commercial plan into supply chain requirements.

The Senior Director will work closely with global commercial teams, supply planning, and manufacturing teams to ensure demand forecasts are accurately communicated and aligned with supplier capabilities. This leader will also oversee inventory management to ensure optimal stock levels and efficient flow of goods across the supply chain.

Reports to the VP, Supply Chain

What we’re looking for: 

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, and inventory management in a large, complex global environment.

• Extensive experience in implementing and managing the S&OP process, ensuring cross-functional alignment between sales, operations, and supply chain teams.

• Proven track record in developing and executing accurate demand forecasts and managing inventory optimization strategies.

• Strong understanding of supply chain processes and the ability to translate commercial and marketing plans into actionable supply chain solutions

• Additional Qualifications: 

• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to build, develop, and mentor high-performing teams.

• Experience working with advanced forecasting and planning systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDA, or similar) and proficiency in reporting tools such as Power BI or Excel.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze data and derive actionable insights to improve forecast accuracy and inventory performance.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders across multiple levels and functions.

How you will thrive and create an impact: 

• Lead and oversee the S&OP process, ensuring alignment between commercial sales forecasts and operational supply chain plans.

• Drive the development and management of accurate demand forecasts, ensuring alignment with the company’s commercial strategy, customer requirements, and market trends.

• Collaborate with the Senior Directors of Supply Planning and Manufacturing to develop inventory strategies that meet customer demand while minimizing excess inventory.

• Translate the commercial sales plan into actionable demand forecasts and communicate these to suppliers to ensure alignment in production and delivery schedules.

• Work directly with global commercial teams to gather insights on demand drivers, including promotions, product launches, and seasonality, to refine the forecast.

• Monitor forecast accuracy and take corrective actions as needed to address variances, using data-driven insights to improve forecasting processes.

• Develop and implement strategies to improve inventory turnover, stock availability, and reduce supply chain disruptions.

• Manage and report key performance indicators (KPIs) related to demand planning, forecasting accuracy, and inventory management.

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with cross-functional teams including sales, marketing, procurement, and operations to ensure the demand plan is fully integrated with overall business strategies.

• Lead and mentor a team of demand planners, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.

• Develop and implement best practices for demand planning and inventory management, ensuring efficient and cost-effective operations.

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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