demand planning and s&op manager 11933

The Demand Planning and S&OP Manager is responsible for the sales forecast and operational capacity across assigned manufacturing sites. He/She ensures alignment between cross-functional teams and Top Management to deliver mid- to long-term business targets, while facilitating the resolution of short-term issues in coordination with other business functions.

Job Scope/Dimensions

Demand Planning (25% Workload)

• Develop, compile, and analyze forecast deviations.

• Collect, analyze, and challenge forecasts within a specific scope, combining manual inputs from Sales with statistical parameters to adjust and update data.

• Identify, challenge, and flag shifts in customer purchasing patterns.

• Drive continuous improvement of forecasting tools and processes.

• Demonstrate curiosity and a solid understanding of our customers' business models.

S&OP (75% Workload)

• Execute the monthly S&OP process for assigned manufacturing sites in coordination with Factories, Sales, Demand Planning, Controlling, and Supply Chain to ensure high service quality.

• Ensure data generated by functional stakeholders is fit for the S&OP process and initiate corrective actions when needed (e.g., improving demand forecast accuracy).

• Align production capacity with demand, preparing all necessary data, metrics, and scenarios for discussion during S&OP meetings.

• Identify, monitor, and report assumptions, risks, and opportunities related to mid- to long-term business targets, escalating issues as appropriate.

• Manage and optimize site-level inventory.

• Lead allocation plans when required, in coordination with Product Managers and Sales teams.

• Demonstrate strong interest in and understanding of production processes and manufacturing workflows.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Perform deep-dive analyses of monthly forecasts.

• Cross-check forecasts against the order book (aligning with Supply Chain regarding backlogs or with Sales regarding missing orders vs. forecast).

• Conduct thorough analyses of exceptions and system warnings.

• Configure statistical models and algorithms for new references or parameter adjustments.

• Track Forecast Accuracy and deviation analysis across multiple levels, identifying root causes and impacts.

• Build strong working relationships with Sales Managers and the Master Data team.

• Establish, execute, and continuously refine the S&OP process for the assigned scope.

• Project future plant workloads by workshop/product family on a monthly basis by translating demand into production requirements.

• Analyze supply and demand issues and propose viable solutions.

• Document S&OP meeting minutes, communicate key decisions to stakeholders, and track follow-up actions.

• Key Interfaces: Build strong partnerships with (i) Segment Leadership, (ii) Product Management, (iii) Supply Chain, (iv) Operations, (v) Purchasing, and (vi) Finance.

• Travel Requirement: Up to 30% business travel.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in S&OP and Demand Planning Management within an industrial/manufacturing environment.

• Proven track record of collaborating effectively within matrixed, cross-functional, and multicultural international organizations.

• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional S&OP cycles involving Sales, Operations, Finance, and Plant Leadership.

• Direct experience with forecasting tools (system setup, algorithm configuration, data disaggregation, etc.).

Knowledge & Skills

• Advanced knowledge of S&OP and Demand Planning, including statistical forecasting methodologies, S&OP implementation, and demand-supply alignment.

• Strong project management and analytical skills (ability to perform daily deep-dives into statistics by product and customer).

• Strategic thinking, strong interpersonal skills, and a solution-oriented mindset.

• Strong commitment to data integrity and quality.

• Agility and adaptability in environments where data may not always be readily accessible.

• Systems & BI: Proficiency in Business Intelligence (BI) tools, Google Workspace, SAP HANA, SAC (SAP Analytics Cloud), and specialized statistical demand planning software.

• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills at all organizational levels.

• Strong facilitation skills to resolve cross-functional issues, paired with a hands-on approach to managing short-term operational challenges.

• Languages: Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus.