Senior Demand Planner

What We Need

Obagi is seeking a Senior Demand Planner with an entrepreneurial spirit to own and support supply chain initiatives surrounding demand planning, inventory, and S&OP planning. Responsible for keeping the monthly forecast current and accurate, this role will meet regularly with Sales, Marketing, and Finance, capture their insights, and turn them into a documented consensus plan for each S&OP cycle.

Forecast Management & S&OP

• Build, maintain, and update the monthly demand forecast at SKU, customer, and channel level across a 12–24-month horizon.
• Work closely with sales, finance, and supply chain functions to have complete alignment on forecasts and outcome of the S&OP process.
• Monitor KPIs and dashboards to provide comprehensive reports, analytics and visibility around S&OP process / planning performance to all cross-functional stakeholders.
• Lead monthly demand review meetings with Sales, Marketing, Customer/Category teams, and Finance to gather business intelligence on promotions, pricing changes, distribution gains or losses, and new product launches.
• Translate commercial inputs into forecast adjustments, documenting the assumptions behind every change.
• Prepare and present the consensus demand plan for each S&OP cycle, highlighting key changes versus last month and versus the annual operating plan or budget.
• Coordinate new product development (NPD) and discontinuation forecasts with Marketing and Supply Planning.
• Communicate demand risks and opportunities to Supply Planning so inventory and production plans stay aligned.

Demand Planning & Data Analytics

• Work with Channel Leads to improve the demand planning process to ensure forecast accuracy levels meet functional objectives on product delivery and service levels.
• Engage in inventory measuring and action activities with cross functional business partners (monthly inventory projecting, excess and obsoletes, etc.).
• Plan for domestic and international customers across retail, distributors, wholesale, eComm, Amazon, Spa, and Physician channels.
• Monitor actuals versus forecast throughout the month and highlight significant variances early, with a clear explanation and recommended action.
• Measure promotional lift and post-event performance to improve future promotion forecasts.
• Build and maintain reports and dashboards that give the business a clear view of demand performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve forecasting methods, tools, and processes.
• Forecast for promotions, seasonality, supersessions, new product development, and discontinued SKUs while collaborating with Supply Planners to ensure key timelines are met.
• Benchmark planning processes with best practices and develop strategic improvement plans.

What You’ll Need

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required; a focus in Business Management, Supply Chain Management, or similar related fields strongly preferred.
• At least 4-6+ years of related work experience in planning and specifically managing S&OP.
• CPG and experience with cosmetics, drug/OTC, prescription Rx and Pharmaceutical products highly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of building and developing end-to-end, best practice S&OP process.
• Strong experience in forecasting / demand planning in Excel (with plans to transition to ERP).
• Proficiency in Oracle, NetSuite, or similar ERP systems and planning software.
• Strong qualitative, analytical, and critical thinking skills with demonstrated use of analysis and metrics to drive continuous improvement and decision making.
• Exceptional organizational and prioritization/time management skills; demonstrated ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Comfortable operating in a fast paced, ever-changing environment; someone who thrives in ambiguity and adapts quickly.
• Proficiency in Power BI and other reporting tools including Microsoft Office.
• Self-starter with strong interpersonal skills, technical skills, and ability to conceptualize.
• Possess an energetic, positive attitude that encourages a team and supports the growth and professional development of others.