Demand Planner
ForceBrandsTHIS IS NOT A JOB AT FORCEBRANDS
Location Expectations
Eastern timezone (USA) - fully remote (16 hours per week) contract
Position Overview
This individual will own and improve this CPG company’s demand-planning process. The current approach combines available data with significant institutional knowledge and judgment. The goal is to build a more formal, scalable process that helps the busines
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s determine how much product to produce, when it will be needed and where inventory should be deployed.
The right candidate will bring direct demand-planning experience and be comfortable working within a small, growing organization. This person must be able to evaluate existing systems and data, create practical planning processes and partner closely with both sales and operations.
Key Responsibilities
• Own and enhance the company’s demand-planning process.
• Develop accurate demand forecasts using available sales data, customer insights and business trends.
• Translate demand forecasts into production requirements and inventory-deployment plans.
• Partner closely with sales and operations to align forecasts with changing business needs.
• Establish daily and weekly planning routines with the sales team.
• Support the company’s transition from direct shipping to a new third-party logistics network.
• Develop initial pipeline-fill and inventory-allocation plans based on launch timing and distribution needs.
• Determine where inventory should be positioned across the company’s expanding distribution network.
• Evaluate and effectively use the company’s existing systems, data and reporting tools.
• Build scalable forecasting processes, planning tools and operating structures.
• Identify inventory risks, supply gaps and potential excess stock before they affect the business.
• Manage evolving planning requirements as the company grows and expands its retail and distribution footprint.
Candidate Qualifications
• Direct, hands-on demand-planning experience is required.
• Experience within food, beverage or another consumer packaged goods category is preferred.
• Background may include demand planning, supply chain, operations, sales planning or finance, provided demand planning has been a meaningful part of the candidate’s responsibilities.
• Experience translating sales forecasts into production and inventory requirements.
• Strong understanding of inventory allocation, replenishment and distribution planning.
• Experience working with third-party logistics providers or supporting a 3PL transition is helpful.
• Comfortable evaluating existing data and building planning processes where limited structure currently exists.
• Able to balance analytical decision-making with practical business judgment.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and experience partnering with sales and operations teams.
• Comfortable operating in a small, fast-growing and evolving organization.
• Willing and able to work hands-on rather than solely providing high-level strategic direction.