Job Information
Nestle Senior Demand Planner (Hybrid) in Chicago, Illinois
At Nestlé Health Science, we believe that nutrition, science, and wellness must merge, not collide. Here, we embrace the intrinsic connections of these three pillars, harnessing their collective strength to empower healthier lives. Our broad product portfolio includes renowned brands like Garden of Life®, Nature's Bounty®, Vital Proteins®, Orgain®, Nuun®, BOOST®, Carnation Breakfast Essentials®, Peptamen®, Compleat Organic Blends®, and more. We also have extensive pharmaceutical expertise, offering innovative medicines that aim to prevent, manage, and treat gastrointestinal and metabolic-related diseases.
At Nestlé Health Science, we bring our best for better lives. Our people are challenged to bring fresh, diverse views and make bold moves to empower healthier lives through nutrition. We know brilliant ideas can come from anyone, anywhere. Here we embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and collaborate with teams that champion focused and forward thinking. We are committed to fostering professional growth and celebrating the achievements of our people along the way. We offer dynamic career paths, robust development, opportunities to learn from talented colleagues around the globe, and benefits that support physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing.
Join us to innovate for impact and reimagine the future of health and nutrition for patients and consumers.
Position Summary :
As the Senior Specialist in Demand Planning, you are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the Demand Plan, specifically for the Vital Proteins Channel in the US. In this crucial role, you will implement performance standards and operating procedures that directly impact the Demand Planning function. Additionally, you will deploy demand planning tools and reports, while also maintaining the demand forecast for the business unit.
As a champion of the Sales and Operations Planning Process (MBP - Monthly Business Planning), you will assess the structure and content of the Forecast Enrichment (FEM) and Dynamic Forecast Alignment (DFA) meetings. Your role will involve ensuring robust business processes and facilitating seamless interaction between Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations.
Your focus will be on creating a reliable and efficient demand planning process that drives success. By collaborating with various teams, you will optimize forecast strategies and contribute to the overall growth and profitability of the business. Your expertise and dedication will play a vital role in shaping the future of our demand planning operations.
Key Responsibilities :
DEVELOPS & MAINTAINS THE DEMAND PLAN / FORECAST
You will be responsible for creating and maintaining the Demand Plan and Forecast.
This includes ensuring accurate and up-to-date Master Data in the planning systems, minimizing errors, avoiding duplication or obsolescence, and reflecting the product lifecycle.
You will generate and maintain the Demand Plan at the appropriate levels, considering recent events and making informed decisions.
Understanding key performance metrics and targets in Demand Planning is essential. You will consistently improve Demand Plan Accuracy by conducting detailed root cause analysis on past performance and maintaining an efficient learning log.
Utilizing all functionalities of the Demand Planning system, you will implement improvements to the processes and tools to deliver tangible benefits.
Collaboration with the Statistical Forecasting Team will be crucial in enriching the statistical forecast and improving models.
REACH CONSENSUS THROUGH ALIGNMENT (MBP / S&OP)
You will contribute to cross-functional planning activities, ensuring necessary preparation and follow-up actions for Monthly Business Planning meetings.
Making recommendations on the baseline forecast and defending appropriate changes to the Consensus Demand Plan (CDP) will be part of your responsibilities.
You will capture, prioritize, and analyze forecast assumptions used in the consensus demand plan, considering various factors such as marketing and sales events, customer and competitor information, and product launches.
Analyzing actual sales data and identifying exceptional activities will help minimize deviations from the Demand Plan.
Presenting outcomes to leadership and ensuring the latest Demand Plan is readily available to internal business partners will be important.
MANAGING RESULTS THROUGH CONTRACTUAL CHANGES
You will hold meetings with Sales to review past performance of key distributors and identify gaps or changes to their actual sales.
Facilitating meetings to review upcoming contract wins or losses, phasing, timing, and quantity will be necessary.
Validating with Business Operations and aligning with the broader commercial team will ensure agreement.
Managing the monthly mid-month projection tool and communicating projections to the MN Leadership team will be part of your role.
OTHER INITIATIVES
Active participation in Demand Planning functional meetings with other business units to share experiences and best practices will be expected.
You will also cascade knowledge of Demand Planning Best Practices and tools to other Demand planners, new hires, and cross-functional teams.
Experience and Education Requirements :
A Bachelor's degree is preferred, particularly in related fields such as Supply Chain, Finance, Business Administration, or Engineering. However, significant experience in Demand Planning can be considered in lieu of a degree.
A minimum of 3-5 years of business experience, preferably in one of the following functions: Demand & Supply Planning, Supply Chain Development, Procurement, Physical Logistics, Customer Service, Sales & Marketing, or Finance. Experience in inventory management and forecasting is necessary.
You should have a proven ability to influence others and possess knowledge of demand planning and statistical forecasting techniques.
Experience in implementing processes and systems to improve organizational efficiency.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze and interpret data and build quantitative models for business problems, are essential.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational and time-management abilities, effective interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with personnel at all levels of the organization are important.
Flexibility and adaptability to a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and priorities are required.
Creative thinking skills with a focus on developing innovative solutions to complex problems are valued.
Experience with SAP APO Modules, OMP, or other supply and demand planning systems is strongly preferred.
Requisition ID: 288980
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To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.
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