Senior Demand PlannerClassificationReports ToJD Review DateJob Summary/ObjectiveThe Senior Demand Planner is responsible for owning and executing the demand planning process across all food categories and sales channels to ensure product availability while minimizing waste and inventory costs. This role partners closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Production, and Customer Service teams to deliver accurate forecasts that support production scheduling, procurement, and distribution.
The Senior Demand Planner will play a key role in establishing forecast governance, improving cross-functional alignment, supporting SKU portfolio optimization, and helping build a single trusted demand plan across the organization. This role will also support the implementation and adoption of demand planning technologies and processes that improve visibility, scalability, and decision-making.
In addition to managing the day-to-day forecasting process, this role will play a critical part in evolving and maturing demand planning capabilities, transitioning from largely manual processes toward more automated, system-driven planning. The Senior Demand Planner will help build trust in data, improve forecast accuracy, and enable more effective use of ERP/MRP systems to support scalable growth.
This role operates within a well-established organization with deep institutional knowledge and long-tenured teams. Success will require a thoughtful, respectful approach to change, balancing process improvement with an appreciation for existing expertise. The Senior Demand Planner will build strong relationships, listen actively and partner cross-functionally to drive an evolution of capabilities grounded in trust, collaboration, and shared ownership.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative, hands-on professional with experience in food manufacturing operations, a curious and independent learning style, comfort navigating ambiguity, and the ability to lead through change, influence stakeholders, and continuously improve processes and systems.
Essential Functions- Develop and maintain short- and long-term demand forecasts for food products, incorporating shipment history and relevant demand drivers such as market trends, seasonality, promotions, new product launches and downstream consumption data.
- Partner closely with Sales and customer-facing teams to understand demand drivers, challenge forecast assumptions, improve forecast accountability, and develop a collaborative planning process.
- Support the development of demand planning governance, standard planning cadences, and cross-functional alignment while helping the organization progress toward a more formal S&OP and integrated business planning process. Act as a change leader, building trust and driving adoption of improved planning practices across the organization.
- Proactively identify forecast risks, demand exceptions, and emerging business trends, facilitating timely cross-functional action and decision-making.
- Monitor forecast accuracy (e.g., MAPE, bias), analyze root causes of variance, and incorporate evolving demand signals, including shipment trends, customer inventory dynamics (e.g., forward buys), and POS data where available, to continuously refine forecast assumptions.
- Support SKU portfolio optimization and rationalization initiatives through analysis of demand trends, inventory performance, customer adoption, lifecycle status, and business value.
- Contribute to the reduction of finished goods inventory carrying costs by enhancing forecast accuracy, increasing visibility to inventory health (e.g., aging, excess, obsolescence), and partnering cross-functionally to help right-size inventory while maintaining service and freshness standards.
- Partner with production and procurement to align on forecasted needs and ensure timely material availability.
- Support the implementation and adoption of demand planning technologies, systems and processes that improve forecast visibility, data integrity, collaboration, and scalable planning workflows.
- Lead or support new product introduction (NPI) forecasting and lifecycle management.
- Develop and present demand planning reports and KPIs to senior leadership, including forecast accuracy, demand variability, and insights on inventory health trends and carrying cost drivers.
Competencies- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable business decisions.
- Effective communication and influencing skills, with a demonstrated ability to build credibility and trust across cross-functional and tenured teams.
- Experience managing demand forecasts across a large SKU portfolio with seasonality and shelf-life considerations.
- Understanding of relationship between shipment and downstream demand signals (e.g., POS), and the ability to incorporate these insights as data availability evolves.
- Demonstrated ability to influence inventory outcomes, including reducing excess and carrying costs through improved forecasting, data-driven insights, and cross-functional alignment.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change in established organizations, operate effectively in evolving environments, establish structure where processes are still developing, and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
- Experience transforming manual forecasting processes into scalable, system-enabled workflows, with strong ERP/MRP proficiency (e.g., JD Edwards or similar).
- Deep knowledge of food industry supply chain requirements, including food safety, freshness, and traceability.
Required Education & Experience- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, Food Science, or a related field.
- 5-8+ years of experience in demand planning or forecasting, preferably within the food or CPG industry.
- Experience using demand planning software and ERP systems, with participation in system implementations, process transformations, or planning technology deployments strongly preferred.
- Strong understanding of the food supply chain dynamics, including shelf life, cold chain logistics, and seasonality.
- Proven track record of improving forecast accuracy and driving cross-functional collaboration.
Preferred Education & Experience- APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP) is preferred.
- Advanced Excel and forecasting tool experience.
- Familiarity with data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
- Experience working in a fast-paced, perishable goods environment.
- Knowledge of food regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, USDA) is a plus.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):- Forecast Accuracy (MAPE, Bias)
- Inventory Turns and Waste Reduction
- Service Level / Fill Rate
- On-Time Production Planning Alignment
- Stockouts vs. Overstocks
- Days of Inventory (especially for perishable SKUs)
Work Environment- Primarily a manufacturing plant environment with exposure to noise, temperature variations, and machinery
- Use of personal protective equipment as required
Physical Demands- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Prolonged standing and walking on concrete floors
- Use of personal protective equipment
Position TypeWork Hours- Typical work hours: Monday to Thursday: 8:00AM - 5:00PM, Friday 8:00AM - 3:00PM
Travel- Some travel required between sites or to customer locations
CompensationThe typical starting salary range for this position is
$93,100 - $123,300 a year. Several factors, including skills, experience, education, certifications, and the location of the job will determine the actual pay offered. The salary range for this role reflects the competitive labor market value for associates in these positions.
This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. Bake'n Joy offers its full-time associates a comprehensive Total Rewards package, which includes affordable, quality healthcare for our associates and their families, life insurance and disability benefits to provide security, and retirement benefits to help plan for the financial future.
Bake'n Joy is committed to fostering an environment where associates from all backgrounds can build long and meaningful careers. Through strong relationships, comprehensive benefits, and continuous learning opportunities, we seek to create an environment where associates can succeed, both professionally and personally.
