Demand Planner DACH

Barry Callebaut

Full-time - Mid Level

10,001+ employees

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

The Demand Planner DACH at Barry Callebaut plays a crucial role in enhancing supply chain service and performance by managing the demand planning process for the DACH region. This position involves close collaboration with various stakeholders to translate demand signals into supply and service requirements, ultimately aiming to improve service levels while minimizing costs. The role requires building strong relationships with customers and internal teams to ensure accurate forecasting and effective communication throughout the supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Lead the demand planning process for DACH on Industrial Accounts and/or Regional Accounts and/or Distributors & Artisans.
• Take overall responsibility for the demand plan figures within the Demand Planning system, ensuring they are representative of the S&OP latest cycle consensus plan.
• Cooperate closely with sales to understand and reflect the latest business dynamics in the final forecast.
• Be the commercial's main challenger to ensure forecasts reflect the most realistic demand outlook.
• Reconcile top-down and bottom-up demand and gain consensus on new forecast assumptions.
• Work with business partners on risks and opportunities, communicating them appropriately to supply chain counterparts.
• Guide the GBS demand planning team on enriching the forecast based on sales discussions.
• Discuss and understand what is needed to improve forecast accuracy and bias, translating this into an action plan.
• Track gaps in budgets and provide explanations.
• Own the full local forecast construction process, ensuring monthly forecast cycle deadlines are met.
• Lead the forecast validation with the DACH managing director.
• Handover the local forecast and relevant information towards regional demand planning for sign-off.
• Collaborate with Finance on budgeting and MTP processes.
• Coordinate phase-in phase-out for key innovations and product launches.
• Work with the global supply chain organization on supply risks and early warnings for disruptions, communicating proactively to sales.
• Contribute to maintaining the right inventory health and setting up action plans with local stakeholders.
• Lead and manage portfolio health assessment and optimization for your portfolio.
• Act as a key contributor to the Value Creation Program for strategic customers, focusing on service improvement and shared value.

Requirements

• Degree in business administration, supply chain, or related field.
• Fluent in English.
• Over 5 years of experience in integrated supply chain, ideally in planning and managing a complex portfolio.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, APO, BW reporting, PowerBi) is a plus.
• Good knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work in virtual and cross-functional teams.
• Strong networking, stakeholder, and influencing skills.
• Positive communicator, approachable for all levels in the organization, confident in working with senior leadership.
• Solid analytical skills with the ability to interpret raw data for larger audiences.
• Self-starter, entrepreneurial, and able to manage complex analytical projects.
• Positive and agile mindset, focused on continuous improvement and embracing change.
• Methodical and well-organized.
• Strong commercial acumen.