Demand Planner

JOB SUMMARY: Vegetable Demand Planner is responsible for maintaining the balance of supply and demand to maximize SAI sales while optimizing cost. This role manages the overall demand forecasting and supply forecasting of assigned portfolio including intercompany procurement of all finished goods. Veg Demand Planner continuously reviews forecast and inventory stock targets in response to demand changes. This role is the main contact between Sales and Operations ensuring that accurate supply and demand information is translated to the team at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES*:

• Generates 36-months statistical sales forecast & supply forecast. Performs analysis on market trends, seasonality, competition, promotion and other commercial matrix input to validate the forecast model.
• Manages the demand review process in a collaborative and consensus approach where demand planning, sales, and finance arrive to an agreed unconstrained sales forecast
• Execute Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR) process with Sakata internal vendors
• Develop constrained sales plan as an output of demand review and CPFR
• Supports the annual Sales Budget and quarterly Latest Estimate review by providing 12-month realistic agreed forecast considering supply constraints, new product introduction and price input from Sales.
• Manages supply forecast and procurement of finished goods which includes creation of purchases orders, submitting POs to the vendors and keeping PO quantity and delivery dates up to date.
• Monitors inventory level concurrently with actual demand to ensure inventory availability using MRP tools.
• Supports the S&OP process by providing valuable KPI reports and supply status information.
• Act as the main contact with Sales, Customer Service, Product Management, Supply Planning and Sakata intercompany vendors in establishing an overall supply plan that defines projected available inventory, resource constraints and new product introductions (NPI)
• Supports New Product Introduction process by making sure that seeds is available to support product launch and upside demand.
• Ensures sales forecast is aligned with the product life cycle (PLC) to ensure inventory levels are placed at the right timing where phased out products inventory is reduced and exit strategy is executed smoothly.
• Contributes to the quarterly Inventory Reserve review process by ensuring that any inventory decisions are aligned with SAI’s projected supply and demand plan.
• Facilitates regular demand planning meetings to review forecasts, share insights, and align on demand assumptions.
• Conducts weekly supply and demand status meeting with customer service team to discuss any supply shortages, make decisions on supply allocation and other topics affecting sales order fulfillment.
• Stage the PO receiving process by allocating lot and creating lot info records in the system.
• Ensures that Master Data and BOMs are updated at all times for the assigned portfolio
• Strive for continuous process improvement in the areas of supply and demand planning, forecasting and inventory management
  
  

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Extensive experience in MPS, MRP and CPFR in a production and purchasing environment
• Inventory management, transaction accuracy
• Ability to analyze situation and react in a timely manner necessary
• Deep understanding of the requirements of production, logistics, marketing, sales and finance
• Knowledgeable in different forecasting algorithms and ability to interpret statistical data
• Extensive hands-on experience on Excel based planning and forecasting system is required.
• Ability to handle stress especially when encountering necessary projects, deadlines and/or high workload.
• Must be able to work under strict time constraints and requirements.
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience in Dynamics AX or any ERP system is a plus.
  
  

Educational Requirements

• BA/BS in Materials Management, Business Administration, Finance or equivalent years of experience
• Professional certification by the American Production and Inventory Control Society(APICS) is a plus
  
  

Experience And Background

• 5 years’ experience in demand planning, forecasting, production and inventory planning
• 2 years’ experience in Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Hybrid office/WFH position (3 days in office, 2 days home after introductory period)
  
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $75,000-$80,000 per year
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance coverage for employees and their families
• Basic Life & AD&D Insurance
• 401k program with company match
• Profit Sharing program (via 401k)
• Holiday & Performance Incentive Bonus program
• Paid Vacation: 10 days per year to start, increases with tenure
• Sick Leave: 1 hour accrued per 30 hours worked for first 30 days, 6.67 hours per month thereafter.
• 14 paid company holidays, 2 floating holidays & birthday off
• Paid Family Leave: 15 days after 12 months of service for FMLA qualifying events
• Company provided EAP
• Company provided subsidy for health/fitness clubs & apps