Demand Planner, NNA

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference?  If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career. 

At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do.  We are a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world.  We continue to be relentless in our pursuit of solving our customers greatest problems so they can go home safe each and every day. 

Are you in?  Read on for more details about this particular role.

Statistical Modeling & Analytics

• Use and maintain SAP IBP Demand software to create the best statistical forecast possible using established processes.
• Assess the impact of market changes or significant variances in the forecast and recommend appropriate revisions and tactics.
• Manage statistical forecast exceptions by utilizing demand-planning exception reports to identify and fix potential issues. 

Assumption Based Planning

• Ensure that the demand forecast is shared/received in the format, level of detail and timing required by all customers and supply chain partners, with documented assumptions, to achieve the various business objectives. Capture and analyze demand signals and translate them into forecast inputs.
• Evaluate buying patterns of key customers and support how the company should react to product phase in, phase out, warranty, availability, demand shifts, promotions, events and competitive products.
• Assess the impact of demand creation initiatives and large order opportunities on demand, using what-if analysis to create scenarios and recommendations.
• Define and drive an out-of-cycle demand variance realignment process if required.
• Monitor Salesforce for large order pipeline opportunities

Facilitation of Demand Reviews

• Work with business unit leadership to generate a consensus demand plan.
• Assist in development of annual financial plans / monthly forecasts and reconcile them with bottoms up demand plans. Communicate any gaps between financial plans and demand plans and assist in bridging the two.
• Influence and collaborate with key partners in marketing, sales (field sales, corporate sales managers and directors) and finance and address input gaps as identified by forecast error, bias and volatility review and other means.
• Collect past & future demand factors (distribution gains/losses, price changes, new/discontinued products and promotion plans, for example) from sales and marketing and forecast/model their impacts on the current demand plan.
• Interact with sales, marketing and operations to understand and interpret the potential impact market trends and demand drivers can have on demand and adjust the statistical forecast to reflect those impacts.

Balancing Demand & Supply

• Determine and communicate forecast range, with consensus demand, potential upside opportunity and downside risk, to the supply planners as applicable.
• Develop, monitor and communicate reports on changes and forecast accuracy to business unit and supply chain organizations, while driving continuous improvement.
• Participate & present Demand Review summaries in Supply Reviews, including forecast changes, assumptions, risks, future opportunities, and reconciliation items to be taken to the Executive SIOP review.
• Support annual plant budget process by ensuring demand plans are properly loaded into IBP for rolling 24 months so global unit volumes can be captured and communicated to the plants.

Master Data Integrity

• Enable operational excellence through the control of master data relating to Demand Planning information.
• Includes but not limited to: Planning Families, Planning Material & Planning Plant alignment, Planning BOM & KMATS, Strategy Groups, Saleable & Discontinued Items.

MSA Operating System Utilization

• Apply the MSA Operating System to correctly identify root causes of problems and drive corrective action results (demand plan upload errors, missing opportunity information, inventory outside of DOH floors and ceilings, etc.).
• Utilize forecast bias trends to drive statistical modeling & Demand Review conversations to achieve a more accurate Demand Plan.

Education and Experience required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain / Logistics / Business or Related Field

This position is available at three different career levels based on experience/education, etc:

• Level I: This level will focus on modeling, forecasting, analysis and simulation tools.  General knowledge of demand planning.
• Level II: 2+ years of experience in forecasting processes in sales, marketing operations, finance and manufacturing.
• Level III: 4+ years’ demand planning experience. Proven success in leading teams or processes. Proven track record of successfully working with and communication to all levels within an organization.

Education preferred:

• Supply chain/operations certification a plus, such as APICS, CPIM or lean.

Experience preferred:

Level I:

• Business domain experience in the supported process areas.

Level II:

• Proficiency using technology tools that enable demand planning and reporting.
• Ability to use technology tools that facilitate collaboration with external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into high-level analysis.

Level III:

• Experience working on projects using a variety of process redesign methods (such as business process re-engineering, value chain analysis, lean Six Sigma or total quality management).
• Experience in support, communication and analysis within a SIOP process.

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