Manager, Seasonal Demand Planning

Location: Hershey, PA

Department: Supply Chain

 

 

 

Summary of Role:

The Seasonal Demand Planning Manager leads demand planning activities for Hershey’s Seasonal portfolios, ensuring accurate, aligned, and actionable demand forecasts for major seasonal events. The role leads a team of Demand Planners and partners cross-functionally to translate commercial and customer strategies into a reliable demand signal supporting supply chain and business execution.

This position plays a key role in Hershey’s Integrated Business Management (IBM) process and supports fact-based decision-making across Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Finance, and Analytics.

 

 

 

 

Role Responsibilities:

Leadership & Talent Development

·         Lead, coach, and develop a team of 2-3 Demand Planners, reinforcing clear expectations, accountability, and performance management.

·         Build functional capability in demand planning, analytical thinking, and business partnering.

·         Foster a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and collaboration.

Functional Excellence (Demand Planning)

·         Own demand forecasts for assigned Seasonal portfolios, including event timing, promotional activity, innovation introductions, and exits.

·         Ensure forecasts reflect customer programs, merchandising plans, and marketing inputs with appropriate risk assessment.

·         Monitor forecast accuracy and bias, identify root causes of variance, and drive corrective actions.

Collaboration & Influence

• Partner effectively with Sales, Marketing, Supply Planning, Finance, and Analytics to align assumptions and execution plans.
• Lead and own the Seasonal Execution Team process bringing together supply chain and commercial functions to maximize seasonal OTIF, Modular Fill, Sell-Thru, Waste.
• Communicate forecast insights, risks, and trade-offs clearly to support decision-making.
• Represent Seasonal demand planning in monthly and ad-hoc business forums, including IBM processes.

Process, Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure effective use of demand planning systems and data to support a rolling 104-week operational forecast.
• Maintain data integrity and adherence to planning standards and governance.
• Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance forecast accuracy, decision quality, and ways of working.

 

 

 

 

Desired knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and develop others; provides clear direction, feedback, and coaching; models accountability and strong business judgment.
• Functional & Analytical Capability: Strong demand planning, forecasting, and analytical skills; ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actions; understanding of supply chain and integrated planning concepts.
• Collaboration & Communication: Builds effective working relationships across functions; communicates clearly and concisely with diverse stakeholders; influences through facts, insight, and credibility.
• Change & Continuous Improvement: Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; proactively identifies improvement opportunities and drives change; demonstrates learning agility and adaptability.

 

 

 

 

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: 

• Education –
  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or related analytical field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience –
  • At least 5 years of experience in Demand Planning, Replenishment, or related analytical roles.
  • Experience supporting seasonal or highly promotional businesses preferred.
  • Prior people leadership or team-lead experience preferred.