Director of Demand Planning

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Imagine...working for a company that knows that its people are the key to its success in the marketplace. A company in which achieving extraordinary results and having a stimulating work experience are part of the same process.

We cultivate and embrace a diverse employee population. We recognize that people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives fuel our growth and enrich our global culture. We are looking for an individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment, likes to be challenged, and values the opportunity to make a difference.

Reporting to the SVP Operations, the Director of Demand Planning provides leadership over the demand planning function to meet business objectives through accurate sales forecasting, comprehensive network capacity utilization, optimized production scheduling within each plant and systemic inventory analysis and management. This role requires the utilization of historical sales data and forward-looking customer forecasts to accurately predict future product demand. This role develops, maintains and improves the systems and processes designed to maintain appropriate inventory levels across the supply chain, strategically align production with anticipated customer needs and optimize the flow of components and finished goods into and out of SK Food Group facilities and forwarding warehouses. This role also plays a key role in directly communicating with key customers and must communicate effectively across the division with sister companies and across the entire PB ecosystem.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the Sales and Operational Planning (S&OP) Process with Finance, Sales, Operations and Supply Chain to include AOP, 3+9, 6+6 and 9+3 sales forecasts
• Track and analyze forecasted budgets, operational forecasts and actual sales and production performance.
• Monitor, update and make recommendations to achieve an accurate production forecast with the assistance of Sales.
• Perform plant, business and division level production capacity studies for long-term demand versus individual plant capabilities. This includes developing recommendations with Operations for Senior Leadership consideration around concepts such as optimizing profitability between/among plants, potential line modifications, eliminating/purchasing equipment, etc.
• Develop and implement demand planning strategies to ensure accurate forecasting and inventory management. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance demand planning processes and systems.
• Continuously improve the utilization of the current X3 ERP system and its capabilities. Must become a SuperUser of the X3 ERP system.
• Identify and address demand planning issues, implementing corrective actions to improve forecast accuracy and inventory efficiency.
• Identify and manage Supply Chain risk for network, plant, and individual customers. Work with the Supply Chain and Operations teams in a "cost discipline" mindset to proactively address potentially expiring components. Must also balance customer inventory levels between being too long and too short.
• Establish and maintain adequate safety stock levels of component and finished goods inventory.
• Review finished goods for customer order shortages and notify Customer Service, Production and Logistics as appropriate
• Facilitate new product implementation and phases out of discontinued products with Sales, R&D and Production within the X3 ERP environment.
• Direct process to maintain X3 ERP system BOM and planning data, including routes, waste percentages, work centers/work groups, and ensure other departmental X3 information is kept up to date.
• Provide analytical skills for forecasting accuracy, learning curve developments, replenishment cycles, make-to-stock versus make-to-order and slow-moving inventory.
• Guide, train and performance manage the demand planning team for all sites.
• Adapt to rapidly changing customer requests that lead to last-minute production schedule changes.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics or Supply Chain and at least seven years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• APICS preferred.
• Strong ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple data sets.
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external clients by e-mail, phone and Video calls.
• Proficient working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Working knowledge of planning and/or purchasing computer systems including an ERP system with Sage X3 experience preferred.
• Ability to work well with others in a team environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize, and handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Duties may require occasional weekend and/or evening work.
• Strategic mindset
• Ability to anticipate and communicate accurately and timely.
• Ability to spend time on the production shop floor during new product pilots, launches or changes in process and systems.
• Stay informed about technology changes and process and system improvements.
• This position will require travel estimated at up to 30%.

BENEFITS:

SK Food Group provides competitive salaries and a wide variety of benefits including programs that provide for your health and welfare, help you prepare for retirement and truly enable you to balance your work and family life.

• Robust Health & Welfare Benefits Package to include Medical, Dental, Vision for associate and family
• Associate Bonus Programs
• Family & Friends Referral Bonuses
• DailyPay - Access Earned Pay Sooner
• 401k Retirement Plan with company match
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health & Dependent Care Flex Spending Accounts
• Dependent scholarship opportunities
• Educational Tuition Assistance Program

Established in 1943, the SK Food Group is a leader in the food manufacturing and wholesale food sales industry. We produce a complete line of products for many different market segments including retail, convenience stores, vending and the transportation industry. In addition, we pride ourselves on the sub-contract manufacturing and private labeling capabilities our company offers to customers throughout the United States. Please visit http://www.skfoodgroup.com for more information.