The
Supply & Demand Planner translates customer demand into actionable material and production requirements to support successful production execution. This role serves as a key link between customers, Business Development, Operations, Scheduling, and suppliers to proactively identify constraints, coordinate material requirements, and support the reliable execution of customer demand.
The Supply & Demand Planner plays an important role in balancing customer requirements with material availability, inventory objectives, production capacity, and service expectations.
Key Responsibilities
Customer Demand Planning & Processing
- Manage and translate customer forecasts, purchase orders, and other demand signals into actionable supply and production requirements.
- Monitor and communicate changes in customer demand.
- Assist in measuring and tracking demand against contract guidelines.
Demand, Supply & Inventory Exception Management
- Monitor demand changes, material availability, inventory levels, purchase commitments, supply shortages, schedule changes, and aging or excess inventory.
- Assess downstream impacts and coordinate corrective actions to minimize production disruptions, excess inventory, and risks to customer service.
Material Requirements Planning & Coordination (MRP)
- Analyze customer demand and production requirements to determine raw material, packaging, component, and other direct material needs.
- Monitor material requirements against inventory, open purchase orders, lead times, and production schedules.
- Coordinate with customers, suppliers, and Operations to ensure material availability, resolve shortages, and expedite critical requirements as needed.
Production Scheduling & Capacity Support
- Translate demand and material availability into achievable production requirements.
- Support short- and mid-range production scheduling and capacity planning.
- Partner with Business Development, Operations, and Scheduling to balance customer priorities with material availability, manufacturing capacity, inventory objectives, and service requirements.
Customer-Centric Supply Coordination
- Serve as a central planning point for customer demand execution.
- Provide visibility into material readiness, production timing, supply constraints, and changes that may impact customer requirements.
- Proactively communicate risks and coordinate cross-functional solutions that support customer service expectations.
New Product & Change Management Support
- Support new product introductions, product changes, and customer transitions.
- Coordinate demand, material requirements, inventory disposition, purchasing needs, capacity considerations, and production readiness.
ERP & Planning System Management
- Maintain accurate demand, lead times, planning parameters, inventory requirements, calendars, and other planning inputs within ERP and planning systems.
- Utilize system recommendations and exception reporting to support material, supply, inventory, and scheduling decisions.
Cross-Functional Planning & Communication
- Partner with Business Development, Technical Services, Operations, Scheduling, Quality, Warehousing, Finance, customers, and suppliers.
- Maintain alignment between customer requirements, material availability, production capability, inventory objectives, and execution priorities.
Knowledge & Skills
- Knowledge of supply chain management principles
- Knowledge of supply and demand planning systems
- Understanding of forecasting and its impact on supply planning
- Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, including the ability to mentor and train others
- Strong general computer skills, including Microsoft Office
- SAP experience preferred
Education & Experience
- Bachelor's degree preferred in Business Logistics, Business, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience
- Minimum of 2 to 3 years of progressive, related experience in areas such as:
- Production scheduling
- Inventory management
- Supply planning
- Operations planning
- APICS or CPIM certification is helpful
Salary Range: $70,000 - $95,000
