Customer Demand Planner

Customer Demand Planner

A great job-and a great future-awaits you at Smithfield Foods. We are an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. We're looking for motivated people who want to join our team and grow lasting and meaningful careers with us.

Your Opportunity

The Customer Demand Planner will create customer forecasts (Month 1,2, and 3) and be accountable for providing Demand Planners with insight relative to trends for future forecasts. The Customer Demand Planner will work very closely with Sales, Customer Service and Demand Planners to drive customer service excellence. This position is ideal for someone who thrives on gathering and analyzing demand trends and signals, driving collaborations with multiple teams and taking on a key role in shaping demand for their assigned customers.

Core Responsibilities

• Create the forecast for all customers for month 1, 2 and 3 in our monthly consensus cycle (within assigned geographies)
• File pre-work to review new/lost distribution, SKU Rat, and discontinued products.
• Documented within consensus file as questions, comments to add value to sales organization.
• Statistical review of YTD trends, run rates, consumption data (where available)
• Reviewed with Sales to initiate forecast meetings/calls with appropriate recommended action to improve future forecast accuracy.
• Utilize customer data to support forecasting calls. (where applicable)
• Meet with sales levels to agree on a forecast consensus.
• Collect changes to forecast for future months (post file creation) and input into consensus file, communicating changes to corporate demand.
• Create promotional calendars
• Create and maintain customer promotion calendars and review with sales.
• Work with sales to capture changes by promotion/customer and make changes as needed.
• Create the Demand Adjustment Report (DART) for Customers and promotion validation.
• Manage Change of Business DARTS.
• Conduct analysis (pre / weekly / post)
• Monthly review with sales on prior months' forecast accuracy
• Weekly analysis of Ordered/Shipped compared to forecast. Updating future forecast to improve accuracy.
• Identify and report on 'root cause' for forecast error and below targets.
• Utilize SAP, BI, IRI, Forecasting Database and customer data tools to ensure exceptional level of data integrity.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 3+ years' experience in vendor managed inventory process, customer service, inventory planning, forecasting or logistics; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of SAP, BI, IRI or consumption data.
• SAP experience or comparable ERP tool, preferred.
• Demonstrates strong aptitude in math, along with problem solving and analytical skills.
• Able to analyze data, draw reasonable conclusions, and formulate next steps.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and excellent customer service skills necessary.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Understanding of strategic sales analysis and planning.
• Ability to collaborate with cross functional teams in a complex matrix organization to promote productivity and enhance supply chain overall functions.
• Ability to multi-task and plan, prioritize, and set goals.
• Capable of working independently.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.

Relocation Package Available Yes

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.