Demand Planner

thyssenkrupp - Hamilton, OH

Full-time - Mid Level

Hamilton, OH

501-1,000 employees

Machinery Manufacturing

About the position

The Demand Planner at thyssenkrupp Bilstein of America plays a pivotal role in forecasting customer demand and ensuring that supply aligns with this demand. This position is integral to the company's operations, particularly in the Hamilton, OH facility, which operates 24/7 and is responsible for the assembly of shock absorbers for various applications. The Demand Planner will work closely with customer account managers to monitor customer trends and deviations from budget, which is essential for balancing supply and demand effectively. In this role, the Demand Planner will be responsible for collecting and analyzing sales-relevant information to inform both short-term and long-term forecasts. Utilizing SAP and other forecasting tools, the Demand Planner will develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts, lead the implementation of new tools and processes, and create forecast proposals for management review. The position requires a strong analytical mindset to interpret complex data, refine forecasts based on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) call-offs, and ensure alignment with actual demand. Collaboration is key in this role, as the Demand Planner will hand over finalized forecasts to the distribution logistics team and work closely with sales, marketing, production, and supply chain teams to align demand planning activities with business objectives. Participation in cross-functional meetings and providing regular reports on demand forecasts and inventory levels will be essential. Additionally, the Demand Planner will contribute to annual business planning and support the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, adjusting forecasts as market trends change. A global perspective is necessary, as the Demand Planner will consider international market conditions and collaborate with global teams to align with overall supply chain management goals.

Responsibilities

• Forecast short- and long-range customer demand.
• Monitor deviations to budget and ensure visibility to customer trends.
• Collect sales-relevant information for forecasting.
• Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts using SAP and other tools.
• Lead implementation of new forecasting tools and processes.
• Create forecast proposals and present them to management.
• Analyze EDI call-offs to refine forecasts and ensure alignment with actual demand.
• Check and validate data in the planning system.
• Ensure data integrity and validation in forecasting activities.
• Manage master data related to demand planning and inventory control.
• Handover finalized forecasts to the distribution logistics team.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, production, and supply chain teams.
• Engage in demand sign off meetings to finalize forecasts.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings and provide reports on forecasts and KPIs.
• Contribute to annual business planning and support the S&OP process.
• Adjust forecasts based on market trends and changes in demand.
• Identify and implement process improvements for forecasting accuracy.
• Maintain a global mindset in demand planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field.
• Master's degree or relevant certification (e.g., CPIM, APICS) is a plus.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in demand planning or supply chain management, preferably in the automotive or manufacturing industry.
• Proficiency in SAP and other demand planning software and ERP systems.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data and generate actionable insights.
• Experience with short-term and long-term forecasting, S&OP, and annual business planning.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Ability to adjust and react to market trends and changing business conditions.
• A global mindset and experience working within international supply chain frameworks.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the automotive industry.
• Familiarity with advanced forecasting techniques.
• Knowledge of inventory management best practices.

Benefits

• 401(k) with 5% company match after 90 days of employment.
• Medical, Dental, and Optical insurance.
• Company paid short-term disability after 6 months of employment.
• Paid personal time off.
• Annual Company bonus.