Sr. Demand Planner

The Fountain Group is a national staffing firm and we are currently seeking a Senior Demand Planner for a prominent client of ours. This position is in Lake County, IL 60064. Details for the position are as follows: Senior Demand Planner Location: Lake County, IL Schedule: Hybrid - Onsite Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Contract Duration: 12 Months Pay Rate: $84-$90/hour Travel: Approximately 10% Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Senior Demand Planner to support demand forecasting, statistical modeling, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) initiatives within a global pharmaceutical organization. This individual will play a key role in developing and maintaining accurate demand forecasts, analyzing forecast trends and performance, and collaborating with Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to support business planning and decision-making. The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical capabilities, hands-on experience with statistical demand forecasting, and a solid understanding of formal S&OP processes. Experience with Blue Yonder (JDA), Power BI, and Qlik Sense is highly desirable. Key Responsibilities Analyze historical demand patterns, market trends, and forecast performance to develop and maintain a rolling 28-month demand forecast. Evaluate forecast accuracy, error, and bias at the Demand Forecasting Unit (DFU) level, identifying opportunities to improve forecasting performance. Maintain and optimize statistical forecasting models, adjusting model parameters based on demand variability, business trends, and organizational strategy. Support the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process by providing data-driven insights and demand planning recommendations. Partner with Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain, Brand Teams, and Operations to align forecasts with commercial strategies and financial objectives. Investigate forecasting exceptions and document key drivers for DFUs exceeding established performance thresholds. Participate in demand review meetings, communicating forecast changes, risks, assumptions, and business impacts. Maintain accurate documentation of forecast adjustments to ensure transparency, traceability, and accountability. Support product lifecycle planning, including new product introductions, portfolio changes, and evolving demand requirements. Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities across demand planning, statistical forecasting, and S&OP processes. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Science, or a related field. 5+ years of experience in Supply Chain Management, Operations, Demand Planning, Forecasting, or Financial Management. Demonstrated experience with formal Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes. Experience with demand planning and business intelligence systems, including Blue Yonder (JDA), Power BI, and Qlik Sense. Strong understanding of statistical forecasting methods, forecast accuracy, error analysis, and bias management. Proven ability to analyze complex datasets, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable business recommendations. Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, particularly Finance, Commercial, Marketing, and Supply Chain. Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to influence stakeholders, resolve competing priorities, and drive results without direct authority. Strong process improvement mindset with the ability to identify inefficiencies and recommend solutions. Preferred Qualifications Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or manufacturing industries. Hands-on experience configuring, maintaining, or optimizing statistical forecasting models. Experience with Integrated Business Planning (IBP), demand review meetings, and supply chain performance metrics. Familiarity with product lifecycle management and its impact…

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