Regional Demand Planning Manager – Steel (NAFTA)

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage the regional demand plan for Steel across NAFTA at product, customer, and location levels.
• Ensure delivery of an unconstrained, consensus demand plan to support supply planning and execution processes.
• Maintain a clear linkage between demand plans and commercial assumptions.

• Lead the statistical baseline forecast process and ensure appropriate use of forecasting models in SOP V1 and then in SAP IBP.
• Facilitate commercial review and adjustment cycles, ensuring assumptions are documented and understood.
• Lead Demand Review meetings and formally release the demand plan into supply planning.

• Own forecast accuracy, bias, and error metrics, monitoring performance and driving corrective actions.
• Identify demand volatility, structural changes, and forecast risks, and proactively escalate insights to stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in demand planning processes, parameters, and data quality.

Demand Segmentation & Planning Strategy

• Own demand segmentation in line with Vesuvius’ planning archetypes (Make To Stock- Make to Order- Make to Consignment)
• Ensure correct planning strategies are implemented and maintained for customers and products across NAFTA.
• Partner with Supply Planning to ensure segmentation is effectively translated into supply and inventory strategies.

S&OP / Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Act as a key contributor to S&OP presenting demand outlook, risks, and scenarios.
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Customer Service, Supply Planning, Finance, and Operations to ensure alignment.
• Provide clear demand insights to support decision‑making, scenario planning, and trade‑off discussions.

Systems, Data & Governance

• Lead effective implementation and use of SAP IBP Demand Planning, ensuring data accuracy, governance, and user discipline.
• Support master data quality (customer, product, hierarchy, and attributes) in partnership with IT and Supply Chain teams.
• Support change management and capability building related to IBP and demand planning maturity.

Key Interfaces

• Commercial / Sales Leadership
• Customer Service (CS)
• Supply Planning & Inventory Management
• Finance / Controlling
• IBP / Systems & Data Teams

Qualifications

• Pref. Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• APICS CPIM / CSCP or equivalent certification preferred.

Experience

• 7–10 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or integrated supply chain roles.
• Proven experience leading regional or multi‑site demand planning processes.
• Hands‑on experience with SAP IBP or similar advanced planning systems.
• Experience in industrial or manufacturing environments is preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of demand planning, forecasting, and S&OP processes.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate data into business insights.
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, cross‑regional environment.