Position Summary
The Senior Manager, Demand Planning will lead the design, pilot, and enterprise-wide adoption of zero-touch AI demand forecasting capabilities across all Business Units. This role is central to BD’s Integrated Business Planning (IBP) transformation, with a primary mandate to institutionalize industry-leading demand planning best practices, drive high levels of forecast automation, and enable scalable, exception-based demand management that improves forecast accuracy, reduces bias, and strengthens supply chain performance (OTIF, inventory, and service).
You will operate as a cross-BU change agent and process owner, partnering closely with Demand Planning teams, Data Science / AI teams, IT, Commercial, and IBP leadership to move BD from traditional statistical + judgmental forecasting to a predominantly zero-touch AI-driven model.
Key Responsibilities
Zero-Touch AI Forecasting Implementation
- Lead the end-to-end implementation of zero-touch AI demand forecasting solutions (model selection, feature engineering, training, validation, production deployment, and monitoring).
- Define and drive the target operating model for zero-touch forecasting, including automation thresholds, exception management frameworks, and human-in-the-loop governance.
- Partner with Data Science and IT to industrialize AI models, establish model performance monitoring (accuracy, bias, drift), and ensure continuous improvement loops.
- Pilot, scale, and operationalize AI demand sensing and forecasting capabilities across multiple BUs and product portfolios.
Best Practice Standardization & Process Excellence
- Design, document, and embed demand planning best practices, playbooks, and standard work across all BUs.
- Establish and govern demand planning process standards (hierarchy, segmentation, forecast consumption, consensus process, and IBP integration).
- Drive process harmonization while allowing controlled flexibility for BU-specific requirements.
- Build and maintain a center-of-excellence mindset for demand planning excellence.
- Change Management, Capability Building & Adoption
- Lead change management and adoption programs for zero-touch AI forecasting, including stakeholder alignment, training and communication plans.
- Coach and upskill BU Demand Planners and managers on AI-augmented forecasting, exception management, and advanced analytics.
- Measure and report adoption metrics (automation rate, exception volume, planner productivity, forecast accuracy uplift).
Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
- Define and track leading and lagging KPIs for demand planning performance (forecast accuracy by segment, bias, MAPE/WMAPE, automation %, planner touch time, etc.).
- Identify root causes of forecast error and drive systemic improvements in data quality, model performance, and process discipline.
- Support IBP Council and leadership with insights, risk assessments, and recommendations related to demand planning maturity.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
- Serve as a key partner to the IBP organization, Commercial, Supply Planning, Finance, and BU leadership.
- Facilitate cross-BU knowledge sharing and replication of successful practices.
- Influence senior stakeholders without direct authority and navigate complex matrix environments.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Data Science, Statistics, or related field
- 8 years of progressive experience in demand planning, S&OP/IBP, or advanced forecasting within complex manufacturing or MedTech environments.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience implementing or scaling AI/ML-based demand forecasting solutions (not just statistical forecasting).
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally 25%
Knowledge and Skills
- Strong working knowledge of modern planning platforms (Kinaxis RapidResponse, SAP IBP, o9, or equivalent) and advanced analytics/AI tooling.
- Proven track record of process standardization, digital transformation, and cross-business unit change leadership.
- Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills in a matrix organization.
- Ability to translate technical AI concepts into clear business value and practical operating models for demand planners.
- Prior ownership of forecast accuracy improvement programs with measurable results, preferred
- Familiarity with demand sensing, causal forecasting, and hierarchical forecasting techniques, preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in MedTech, medical devices, or highly regulated manufacturing environments.
At BD, we prioritize on-site collaboration because we believe it fosters creativity, innovation, and effective problem-solving, which are essential in the fast-paced healthcare industry. For most roles, we require a minimum of 4 days of in-office presence per week to maintain our culture of excellence and ensure smooth operations, while also recognizing the importance of flexibility and work-life balance. Remote or field-based positions will have different workplace arrangements which will be indicated in the job posting.
At BD, we are committed to supporting our associates’ well-being, development, and success through a performance-based culture. For this position, BD offers a competitive compensation package along with the following benefits specific to this role:
- Annual Bonus
- Potential Discretionary LTI Bonus
Health and Well-being Benefits
- Medical coverage
- Health Savings Accounts
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Dental coverage
- Vision coverage
- Hospital Care Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Accidental Injury Insurance
- Life and AD&D insurance
- Short-term disability coverage
- Long-term disability insurance
- Long-term care with life insurance
Other Well-being Resources
- Anxiety management program
- Wellness incentives
- Sleep improvement program
- Diabetes management program
- Virtual physical therapy
- Emotional/mental health support programs
- Weight management programs
- Gastrointestinal health program
- Substance use management program
- Musculoskeletal surgery, cancer treatment, and bariatric surgery benefit
Retirement and Financial Well-being
- BD 401(k) Plan
- BD Deferred Compensation and Restoration Plan
- 529 College Savings Plan
- Financial counseling
- Baxter Credit Union (BCU)
- Daily Pay
- College financial aid and application guidance
Life Balance Programs
- Paid time off (PTO), including all required State leaves
- Educational assistance/tuition reimbursement
- MetLife Legal Plan
- Group auto and home insurance
- Pet insurance
- Commuter benefits
- Discounts on products and services
- Academic Achievement Scholarship
- Service Recognition Awards
- Employer matching donation
- Workplace accommodations
Other Life Balance Programs
- Adoption assistance
- Backup day care and eldercare
- Support for neurodivergent adults, children, and caregivers
- Caregiving assistance for elderly and special needs individuals
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Support for fertility, birthing, postpartum, and age-related hormonal changes
Leave Programs
- Bereavement leaves
- Military leave
- Personal leave
- Family and Medical Leave (FML)
- Jury and Witness Duty Leave
Salary Range for Franklin Lakes, NJ:
154,100.00 - 246,600.00 USD Annual
Primary Work LocationUSA NJ - Franklin Lakes
