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 according to the latest discussions with sales.
• Track gaps in budgets and explain them as needed.
• Own the full local forecast construction process and ensure 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.
• Work closely with Finance on the YTG/YEF, budgeting, and MTP process.
• Coordinate phase in phase-out for key innovation and product launches.
• Collaborate with global supply chain organization on supply risks and early warnings for disruptions.
• Contribute to reaching the right inventory health by monitoring stocks at risk and setting up action plans.
• Lead and manage the portfolio health assessment and optimization for your portfolio.
• Act as a key contributor to the Value Creation Program for strategic customers.

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.
• 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.
• Methodical and well-organized.
• Strong commercial acumen.