Demand Planning Manager Full Time

Job Purpose

Ensure uninterrupted product availability through effective demand planning, supply planning, production scheduling, and inventory balancing. Responsible for aligning demand with supply capabilities, optimizing resources, and enabling on-time delivery to customers while meeting business KPIs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Demand & Supply Planning

• Develop monthly and weekly supply plans based on demand forecast, customer requirements, capacity constraints, and material availability.
• Convert demand signals into feasible production plans in coordination with Manufacturing.
• Perform supply risk analysis and propose corrective actions.
• KPIs: Forecast accuracy, plan adherence, capacity utilization, OTIF delivery.

2. Production Scheduling & Coordination

• Prepare detailed weekly and daily production schedules in alignment with plant capacity and line availability.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality & Stores to ensure smooth execution of the plan.
• Resolve bottlenecks and adjust plans dynamically as required.
• KPIs: Schedule adherence, minimized changeovers, zero production stoppages due to planning gaps.

3. Inventory Planning & Optimization

• Ensure optimum inventory levels of FG, WIP, and critical components.
• Define safety stock norms and planning parameters for different segments.
• Monitor ageing, slow-moving and excess inventory; initiate liquidation actions.
• KPIs: Inventory turns, ageing reduction, coverage adherence, reduction in excess/obsolete stock.

4. Cross-Functional Alignment

• Communicate constraints, supply risks, and mitigation plans to stakeholders.
• Drive collaborative planning with KAMs and Regional Sales teams.
• KPIs: S&OP adherence, reduced planning conflicts, improved stakeholder satisfaction.

5. System, Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain planning master data (MRP parameters, BOM, routing, safety stock, lead times) in SAP.
• Ensure accurate and timely posting of planning-related transactions.
• Adhere to internal audit, compliance, and quality standards.
• KPIs: Zero audit non-conformities, master data accuracy.

6. Continuous Improvement

• Analyze trends in supply gaps, forecast errors, capacity utilization, and planning inefficiencies.
• Drive improvement projects related to productivity, cost reduction, lead-time optimization, and digital planning initiatives.
• KPIs: Cost savings, improved planning efficiency, increased automation.

Major Challenges

• Balancing demand volatility with supply constraints.
• Ensuring smooth scheduling under machine breakdowns, resource shortages, or sudden demand spikes.
• Managing trade-offs between service level, cost, and inventory.

Decision-Making Authority

Self:

• Adjust production priorities based on customer criticality and business needs.
• Recommend changes in planning parameters and inventory norms.
• Approve re-scheduling decisions within defined planning windows.

Interactions

Internal:

Sales, Manufacturing, Maintenance, QA, Procurement, Stores, Logistics

External:

Suppliers (for material confirmation), OEM customers (for priority alignment, where required).

Skills & Knowledge

Education:

B.Tech / MBA in Supply Chain / Operations / Industrial Engineering.

Experience:

Minimum 3+ years in supply planning, production planning, or demand management.

Functional Skills:

• SAP (PP, MM modules), APS tools (if applicable)
• Capacity planning, demand forecasting, MRP, S&OP
• Advanced Excel, Power BI, and presentation skills

Behavioral Skills:

Analytical mindset, strong communication, decision-making, collaboration, problem-solving.