Senior Demand Planner

Job Summary

The Senior Demand Planner uses best practices, past and current demand cycles to evaluate future external as well as internal customer demand for raw materials and finished goods. This role is key to the organization as it uses analytical, clinical, internal and sales data to effectively estimate finished goods demand. The Senior Demand Planner determines the best measures to use to provide the most accurate representation of the inventory, capacity, and purchases forecast. A key responsibility will be to communicate expectations, and priorities to external vendors in relation to their ability to meet with our forecast and contractual obligations. They will interact with Manufacturing and Product Development regarding materials usage, forecast or other topics to develop and maintain a good working relationship while meeting with company objectives.

Essential Functions

• Creates statistical forecasts by data analysis and using input from internal and external customers, validates data, reviews statistical forecast models, and applies error analysis techniques to improve forecasting for both raw materials and finished goods.
• Develops finished goods and raw materials forecast in monthly/yearly buckets for the horizon needed to achieve company objectives.
• Measures forecast accuracy for key vendors and finds best forecasting method to achieve desired level of accuracy.
• Achieves consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process with all stakeholders (S&OP). Prepares relevant material to facilitate research and discussion.
• Independently prepares and communicates Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) to management. These KPIs include but not limited to capacity, purchases and inventory forecast.
• Work with supply chain operations and supply planning to forecast warehouse capacity and ensure gaps are addressed ahead of time to minimize overutilization of warehouse spaces.
• Drive monthly collaborative planning forecasting meetings with key suppliers to share Humacyte forecast and address any gaps as needed to prevent production interruptions due to material shortages.
• Drive monthly collaborative demand meetings with internal customers to drive discussions around future usage and new product introductions
• Continuously identify and develop areas for improvement related to the forecasting process.
• Collaborates in the development of Great Plains Enterprise Resource Planning System (Microsoft Dynamics) process and SOPs as related to demand planning
• Provide input to supply planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and phase outs.
• Develop SOP's for Demand Planning processes as required
• Other duties, as assigned.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, required. Master's degree, preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of related job experience.
• 5+ years of experience in demand planning and forecasting role preferred
• 2 to 3 years of experience in Healthcare / Life Sciences organization preferred
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting, and forecasting methods with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts is required
• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics ERP or other software related to demand planning is preferred
• Foundation in analytics & statistics
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Possess a positive roll-up-the-sleeves attitude and optimistic outlook.
• Strong ability to work in a fast-paced team environment with fluctuating priorities and demonstrated ability to collaborate within cross functional teams.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with ability to set own priorities in a timely manner.
• High degree of flexibility and adaptability.
• Self-motivated and organized critical thinker with solid interpersonal and business communication skills.
• Represents the organization in a positive and highly professional manner.