Demand Planning Manager - Chicago

Demand Planning Manager - Chicago

Join a fast growing company! Great opportunity for career growth!

About Our Client

Our client is a fast-growing consumer products organization focused on delivering innovative, high-quality food solutions to customers nationwide. The company fosters a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where employees are empowered to drive results, influence key business decisions, and contribute to long-term growth initiatives.

Job Description

Own and manage the company-wide demand forecasting process across SKUs, customers, and channels. Develop and maintain statistical forecast models utilizing historical sales data, customer shipment trends, point-of-sale (POS) information, promotional activity, and market intelligence. Lead the demand review component of the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, aligning cross-functional stakeholders around a single consensus forecast. Analyze and incorporate promotional events, pricing changes, distribution gains, and new product launches into demand forecasts. Conduct post-event and post-promotion analyses to improve future forecasting accuracy and planning effectiveness. Establish and monitor forecast accuracy, bias, and other key performance indicators (KPIs), identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions. Partner with Supply Planning, Operations, and Finance teams to balance customer service levels, inventory investments, and product freshness targets. Present forecast assumptions, risks, opportunities, and scenario analyses to senior leadership. Support annual operating plans, budgeting processes, and long-range business planning through accurate demand projections. Identify opportunities to improve planning processes, reporting capabilities, and forecasting methodologies. Participate in the evaluation, implementation, and optimization of demand planning systems and tools as the business scales. Drive collaboration across departments to ensure alignment between commercial strategies and operational execution.

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The Successful Applicant

A successful 'Demand Planning Manager - Chicago' should have: Required Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, Statistics, or a related field. 5-8 years of demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain planning experience. Experience within consumer packaged goods (CPG), food, beverage, or related manufacturing environments. Strong knowledge of statistical forecasting techniques, demand planning methodologies, and S&OP/Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes. Demonstrated success improving forecast accuracy and reducing forecast bias. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex data analysis and model development. Experience working with ERP and planning platforms such as SAP IBP, Kinaxis, o9, Logility, or similar systems. Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Proven ability to work cross-functionally and drive results through collaboration and influence.

Preferred APICS/ASCM CPIM or CSCP certification. Experience utilizing retailer POS and syndicated data sources such as Circana, Nielsen, or SPINS. Experience in frozen, refrigerated, perishable, or food manufacturing environments. Power BI, Tableau, or other business intelligence and data visualization experience. Background working within high-growth, entrepreneurial, or rapidly scaling organizations.

Success Metrics

Improved forecast accuracy and reduced forecast bias. Consistent achievement of service-level and fill-rate objectives. Reduced excess and obsolete inventory. Effective cross-functional alignment during S&OP cycles. Successful implementation and enhancement of demand planning processes, tools, and reporting. Strong leadership presence as the organization's trusted subject matter expert for demand forecasting and planning.

What's on Offer

Competitive base salary and bonus opportunity. Comprehensive health and wellness benefits. Paid time off and company holidays. Professional development and career growth opportunities. Collaborative, fast-paced environment with high visibility and influence across the organization.

Interested? Apply today.