Sr. Demand Planner

The Opportunity:

Avantor is looking for a Senior Demand Planner to play a critical role in driving forecast accuracy and aligning demand plans with commercial strategies, inventory targets, and financial objectives within the Avantor Fluid Handling (AFH) business segment. This position is also especially critical to the distribution make-to-stock business to ensure procurement actions align with inventory planning and commercial strategies.

This position is responsible for developing and managing accurate demand forecasts across multiple ERP systems to support both distribution and manufacturing business units. The Sr. Demand Planner role ensures alignment between supply and demand through proactive exception management, new product introduction planning, and support of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and Sales & Operations Execution (S&OE) processes.

This is a full-time position that can be based out of our Devens, MA or Barrington, IL offices. You will have the opportunity to act as a key liaison between commercial, supply chain, finance, manufacturing, and operations teams. If you have demand planning experience and thrive working in a collaborative environment – let’s talk!   

How you will thrive and create an impact: 

• Provide actionable insights to optimize inventory, service levels, and profitability.

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve statistical and collaborative demand forecasts across multiple ERP platforms.

• Analyze historical data, market trends, and customer insights to ensure forecast accuracy and minimize bias.

• Monitor forecast variances and exceptions, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.

• Ensure data integrity across ERP systems, facilitate master data updates, and execute cross-platform data transfers as needed.

• Support monthly S&OP and bi-weekly S&OE meetings, ensuring alignment between demand, supply, and financial planning objectives.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to resolve gaps and support strategic decision-making.

• Partner with procurement, production, and logistics teams to ensure operational feasibility of demand plans.

• Communicate risks, opportunities, and actionable insights to stakeholders proactively.

• Drive process enhancements and leverage advanced planning tools to improve forecast accuracy and efficiency.

• Support digital transformation initiatives, including adoption of advanced analytics and visualization platforms.

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support business objectives.

What we’re looking for: 

• Education:
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Mathematics or a related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in demand planning or supply chain management, preferably in multi-ERP environments utilizing advanced forecasting systems/tools.

• Strong knowledge of S&OP/S&OE processes and best practices.

• Extensive Knowledge of Supply Chain Management is required.

• Additional Qualifications:

• Advanced analytical skills with proficiency in ERP systems and forecasting tools; experience with data visualization platforms (e.g. Power BI) preferred.

• Excellent communication and leadership skills for influencing cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.

• Ability to interpret complex data and communicate to all levels of the organization.

• APICS CPIM certification preferred; experience with AI-driven or machine learning forecasting tools is a plus.

• Must have strong analytical skills including advanced use of MS Access, Excel, SQL and programming in VBA or similar languages.

• Able to interpret complex data to all levels of the organization.

• Able to apply Six Sigma  techniques for structured problem solving and  process improvements.

• Ability to teach and transfer skills to team members and general audiences.

• Ability to interact and communicate complex concepts with all levels of the organization.

• Possesses strong knowledge of process mapping.

• Strong analytical, communication and multi-tasking skills.

Environmental Working Conditions & Physical Effort:

Typically works in an office environment with adequate lighting and ventilation and a normal range of temperature and noise level.

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