JOB SUMMARY:The Demand Planning Manager is responsible for overseeing the demand planning and forecasting processes in UPL NA's key commercial units, US Ag and B2B. This role is critical in driving the consensus demand plans across sales, marketing, supply chain, finance and regulatory through cross functional leadership. The role will manage the unconstrained and constrained forecasts, ensure aligned inventory levels with working capital goals, and support cross-functional sales execution. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in demand planning, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to collaborate across departments to ensure demand planning efficiency and customer satisfaction.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES- Lead Demand Planning & Forecasting: Own the end-to-end demand planning process for USAg and B2B units, ensuring forecasts are accurate, data-driven, and aligned with commercial strategy and financial targets.
- S&OP Leadership: Facilitate and lead monthly Pre-S&OP and S&OP meetings for USAg and B2B, driving alignment across Commercial, Supply Chain, and Marketing teams to reach consensus on demand, supply, and inventory plans.
- APS Tool Implementation: Lead the project to implement a new APS tool in North America
- Ensure that the North America requirements are met across the F2S project either through a strong tool and process redesign
- Commercial Partnership: Collaborate closely with Country Heads, KAMs, and RSMs to analyze sales trends, customer insights, and market dynamics to inform demand forecasts and strategic decisions.
- Strategic Analysis: Provide actionable insights through sales analytics, business trend analysis, and ad hoc reporting to support Commercial Leadership and FP&A teams.
- Cross-Functional Communication: Act as a key liaison between Commercial, Supply Chain, and Marketing teams to ensure transparency, coordination, and proactive issue resolution.
- Customer & Channel Support: Support the development of distributor tools and communication materials that align with key business objectives and channel strategies.
- Allocation & Initiative Planning: Partner with Commercial and Marketing teams to guide decisions on product allocations, quarterly initiatives, and production/packaging priorities.
- Process Improvement: Build and mature regional demand planning processes, including systemic supply/capacity reviews and executive-level planning meetings.
- Sales Planning Support: Assist in annual sales planning, budgeting, and quarterly target setting to ensure alignment with long-range plans and customer strategies.
- Forecasting Execution: Implement and maintain forecasting processes with Commercial teams, updating monthly/quarterly as needed by division, segment, or geography.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:- Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Statistics, or a related field
- 8+ years of experience in demand planning, commercial operations, or sales analytics
- Strong analytical and organizational skills with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset
- Experience leading or participating in S&OP processes
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams
- Proficiency in Excel and forecasting tools; experience with SAP or similar ERP systems preferred
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities
UPL Competencies- Adaptability & Resilience: Recognizes and is open to changing circumstances and alters behaviour and scales up as necessary; increases personal awareness and appreciation of individual and cultural differences to create an open, inclusive, and accepting workplace.
- EntrepreneurialMindset: Has a creative mindset and ability to think holistically, takes calculated risks and maximizes opportunities.
- ResultsOrientations: Takes action, pursues goals with persistence and achieves results; communicates goals and vision to the team to drive enthusiasm and ambition.
- ExecutionExcellence: Enhances the speed of execution and builds efficiency in processes, systems and people; has sharp focus on quality-orientation.
- StrategicOrientation: Demonstrates knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental factors and how they impact business. Identifies key issues that could impact the business and develops strategy through an analytical lens / design thinking.
- BuildingTeams and Talent: Empowers colleagues through knowledge sharing and delegation, quickly establishing rapport; provides recognition for achievements and accomplishments.
- CustomerCentricity: Understands the customer needs and pain points, fulfills the needs and expectations by focusing on creating value for customers.
TRAVEL: < 10%
