Demand Planner

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. Apply Now!

The Demand Planner is accountable for all forecasting activities associated with finished goods products, customers, plants and distribution locations. The Demand Planner creates and maintains forecast models for the product categories they own at a sku level, incorporating business intelligence and forecast information gathered from Sales, Business Development, Finance, and other sources (i.e.: Nielsen or other syndicated consumer data). The Demand Planner leads the monthly consensus meetings with Sales and Business Management and is a key team member in S&OP meetings.

What You'll Do:

• Creates statistical forecasts
• Gathers, analyzes and validates data
• Executes statistical modeling software
• Reviews resulting statistical forecast model
• Applies error analysis techniques to improve forecasting

Reviews sales plans, business development updates and demand drivers:

• Presents, solicits, and assesses feedback on the various forecasts from sales and business development
• Recommends adjustments for operational forecasts
• Reviews promotional plans with sales
• Identifies and reports on 'root cause' for forecast error and below targets. Assists in establishing annual forecast accuracy targets.
• Tracks sales inputs to new and lost business and sales promotions. Aligns the forecast to changing demand by DC.

Achieves consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process with sales and business development personnel:

• Prepares relevant material to facilitate research and discussion
• Coordinates cross-functional research activities to reconcile significant variances and refines the forecast model to reflect updated sales and business development assumptions.
• Drives SKU Rationalization for sku's within managed group.
• Responsible for understanding shipment trends and category dynamics to support and endorse total volume forecast.

Provides input to volume planning (Latest Estimates / annual process):

• Facilitates and manages demand planning/sales and business development meetings
• Achieves consensus with the business side and the demand chain
• Leads internal cross functional communication, integrating information into the forecast via the demand consensus and S&OP process

Maintains demand planning system and software:

• Attains forecast accuracy targets by sku/by location at a weekly level.
• Monitors trends in forecast errors and takes action to improve
• Identifies relevant market-related data and competitive intelligence
• Utilizes Logility, SAP, BI to ensure exceptional level of data integrity
• Provides timely updates and analysis to Supply Chain partners to identify scenario planning opportunities

Training:

• Acts as a lead by training, mentoring and providing guidance to less experienced Demand Planners employees.

What We're Seeking:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 2+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Understanding of strategic sales analysis, forecasting and planning.
• Proven analytical ability combined with an attention to detail.
• Knowledge of SAP, a plus. Good problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong mathematical aptitude, excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, required.
• 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.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and excellent customer service skills necessary.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• 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.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but may act as a lead by providing training and guidance to less tenured employees within Demand Planning.

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.