Demand Planner

Job Title:

Demand Planner Specialist

Department:

Supply Chain

Reports to: 

Supply Chain Manager

Classification:

4

JOB SUMMARY:

This position works closely with customers to effectively manage case ready meats delivery.  Job involves logistics, procurement, inventory and accounting functions.  Using their exceptional organization and communication skills, this person will be responsible for the gathering, validating, and interpretation of relevant data to maintain a valid and accurate demand schedule.  

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

1. Manage direct contact with customers and customer requests.
   1. Manage inbound and outbound deliveries of case ready meat plant products for numerous plants.  Successfully write and manage these orders including advertised features, parity priced items, bi-products, and weekly turn business. 
   2. Receives orders from buying team and customers, checks for accuracy, commits to inventory, and promises delivery date based on availability of materials, customer needs and production schedules.
2. Assist in managing inventory levels which are sufficient to customer demands while controlling costs.
   1. Help manage cost from suppliers to Procurement system to insure proper billing to stores.
   2. Manages proper inventory levels to support shelf lifer expectations and control product freshness.
   3. Responsible for communicating raw material forecast based on both scan projections and shipment reports.
   4. Manage demand exceptions related to out of compliance demand, forecast bias, and demand anomalies.
   5. Maximize accuracy of the demand schedule by analyzing historical projections vs. actuals
   6. Support the Supply/Production planning through prioritizing inventory needs, new items forecasts, product phase out and special builds
   7. Establishes production plans and priorities based on customer requirements. 
3. Oversee logistics of customer/supplier demands.
   1. Oversee logistics from case ready facilities to division distribution centers to conclude when product is received.
   2. Track performance of supply chain and logistics KPIs (inventory turns, fill rates, days of inventory outstanding, planned costs vs actual costs, etc.)
   3. Maintain and update demand forecast dates
   4. Utilize ERP platform and other tools to conduct analysis for forecast availability and accuracy
   5. Work with cross functional teams to ensure that any activity affecting forecasts are accounted for in monthly projections
   6. Coordinates order changes in production scheduling and shipping.  Resolves daily problems about material rejections and production changes due to equipment breakdowns.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent computer skills
• Flexibility to work weekends
• Must maintain a helpful and professional attitude and appearance
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 3 years of experience supply chain, operations, or logistics
• The ability to communicate effectively with management on all levels and be customer-focused
• Excellent attention to detail, problem solving and critical thinking
• Ability to multi-task, work well under pressure, work with a team and be flexible with work schedule
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel and Access: A MUST
• Experience with Materials Requirement Planning (MRP)
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools

ACTIVITIES:

This position is a sedentary position but may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, or crouching.

HEARING:

Must be able to hear average or normal conversation and receive ordinary information. Depending on work assignment must be able to work in a noisy work environment.

REPETITIVE MOTION:

Must be able to frequently and regularly use wrists, hands, and or fingers.

VISUAL ABILITIES:

Acute closed vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

PHYSICAL STRENGTH:

Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds throughout the day.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Most of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant.  The plant environment is wet, damp and cold (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts.  Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The list of essential functions, other duties, mental visual ability, and physical demands, requirements and licenses is not meant to be exhaustive.  Management reserves the right to revise job descriptions and to require other tasks be performed when the circumstances of the job changes.