Demand Planning Forecast Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The role is located in Lincolnshire, IL (north of Chicago).  This is a hybrid role (after 30 days).

Salary Range:  $86,700-105,000 Depending on Experience

This full time position is complemented by a benefit offering including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, PTO, STD & LTD Benefits, 401k Retirement Plan and more.

Job Description Summary

Responsible for managing inventory levels to maintain the proper balance between inventory investments and fill rates. Analyze Planning, Forecast and Replenishment system by reviewing forecast. Ensure appropriate stock levels for all parts. Check for early identification of potential stock shortages to prevent stock out scenarios.  Analyzes and researches unexpected demand to develop a forecast to be used by Parts Planning, Forecast and Replenishment system. Ensures correct parameters are in place so system recommendations are compatible with the ordering requirements of the vendor. Analyze and research at a part level, forecast and inventory requirements to achieve target level fill rate and inventory goals. The primary goal is to provide the desired level fill while balancing inventory investments, operational impacts, and transportation cost. Achievement of these responsibilities may require some leadership of project teams.

Duties and Responsibilities

-        Manage forecast of all service parts & certain wholegoods and monitor inventory levels to achieve customer fill rate and inventory objectives.

-        Establish forecast for materials without sufficient demand history (e.g. new parts, slow moving parts, and parts with quality issues). 

-        Develop historical trends, “like” products and parts, and sales and marketing data to apply a best fit forecast to achieve fill rate and inventory objectives.

-        Oversee service parts new model, campaign and special events inventory to achieve product launch readiness objectives.

-        Establish & maintain inventory management solutions such as forecasting models, stock level, replenishment, and deployment.

-        Initiates and improves demand planning processes, fill rates, inventory performance, and supply chain costs.

-        Analyze part master data including lead times, price, and supplier sourcing requirements to establish Min Lots & Economic Order Quantities.

-        Become the SME for Kubota MRP, forecasting software and any demand planning system and strategy

-        Maintain MM data elements (e.g. Safety Stock, ROP, Min Max) to optimize demand planning and inventory levels.

-        Evaluate slow and dead stock conditions and perform root cause analysis to meet company objectives

-        Monitor, generate and interpret results of reports necessary fill rates & inventory objectives.

-        Produce detailed analysis with organized conclusions for presentation.

-        Assist to develop, build, test, and deploy optimization tools and processes.

-        Executing and developing work instructions to perform tasks.

-        Work with Material Planners to ensure that inventory is ordered optimally

-        Review purchase orders and evaluate MRP/DRP, forecasting & material planner performance. 

-        Responsible for performance metrics related to customer fill rate, inventory turns, forecasting accuracy, inventory and material planning.

-        Inform Manager of all noteworthy activities

-        Support co-workers in other departments as needed

-        Communicate, organize, and maintain confidential information and material

-        Other duties or special projects as assigned by management.

-        Follow safety guidelines and department and corporate policies and procedures

-        Maintain an organized and secure work environment

Authority:

N/A

Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

-        Must have expert level knowledge of aftermarket service parts including high skill levels with demand/inventory planning systems and the ability to querying/analysis data from multiple sources.  Programming experience is preferred.

-        SAP ERP (EWM, APO, WM, BW) and warehouse management systems experience is preferred.

-        Minimum 5 years’ experience in inventory management, preferably in Agriculture, Power Equipment, or Construction heavy duty equipment industries.

-        Experience with DRP/MRP systems

-        Must have Lean skills and experience (TPS, Six Sigma).

-        Detailed knowledge of Inventory Management philosophies.

-        Superior analytical and problem-solving abilities.

-        Familiarity with advanced optimization techniques.

-        Advanced knowledge if use of Excel (formulas, pivot tables, power pivots, charts, etc.) Technical knowledge of IT systems and office programs

-        Self-motivated to initiate, drive and own projects; ability to work independently, in teams, and with team members in multiple locations; proven leadership abilities focused on continuous improvement

-        Ability to create process flow and department procedures and prepare written procedure and process documents.

-        Excellent communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to resolve conflicts, develop appropriate solutions to problems, and develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with customers and co-workers

-        Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and meet deadlines while maintaining a flexible attitude and approach towards assignments

-        Strong command of the English language, both written and verbal

-        Ability to comprehend a variety of instructions, both oral and written

-        Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality

-        Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers and decimals