Demand Planner

Medline Industries - Mundelein, IL

Full-time - Entry Level

Mundelein, IL

Miscellaneous Manufacturing

About the position

It is a particularly exciting time to be a Demand Planner at Medline. The healthcare landscape is changing, and our customers are looking to us for solutions. The Medline Brand Demand Planner is responsible for the collaborative development, monitoring, and communication of the demand forecast for assigned business units. Champions of continuous improvement, our demand planners utilize strong analytical ability, business partner relationships, and data storytelling skills to drive value in a role that is essential to Medline's supply chain. What makes Demand Planning different at Medline is our culture of collaborative continuous improvement. We encourage leadership at every level and empower our team to think creatively, share ideas, and work together to solve complex challenges. We support and invest in professional development, helping our people grow new skills and reach their full career potential. This dynamic and evolving area of supply chain makes a positive impact on the business of healthcare, our products and services, and the millions of lives they touch every day. Our leadership teams are passionate about their business and expect the same from you. Looking for visibility? You found it! If you are looking for ownership and a fast-paced work environment, we've got it! Make an impact at Medline! We are seeking a Demand Planner in the Inventory Management division located out of our corporate headquarters in Mundelein or Northfield, IL. Under general supervision, the Demand Planner is responsible for providing data insights and analytical support for the collaborative development, monitoring, and communication of the demand forecast for assigned business units. Utilize strong analytical ability, business partner relationships, and data storytelling skills to drive value in a role that is essential to Medline's supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly S&OP Demand Review meetings, working with cross functional teams to ensure alignment and visibility to assumptions, risks, and opportunities.
• Assess the impact of market changes or significant variances in the forecast, and recommend appropriate revisions and tactics.
• Analyze statistical forecast exceptions by utilizing demand-planning exception reports to identify and fix potential issues.
• Develop, monitor, and communicate reports on changes and forecast accuracy to business unit and supply chain organizations, while driving continuous improvement.
• Make recommendations to enhance business processes and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiencies.
• Work with business unit leadership to generate a consensus demand plan.
• Assist in development of annual plans and reconcile them with monetized demand plans.
• Communicate any gaps between the plans.
• Develop strong working relationships to 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.
• Assess the impact of promotions and events on demand, using what-if analysis to create scenarios and recommendations.
• Determine methods to address and correct any demand-planning group behaviors that adversely affect S&OP KPIs.
• Work with various cross-functional teams on projects such as new product launches, line extensions, product discontinuations, promotions and events.
• Demonstrate sound business decision making aligned with company goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (BS/MS in supply chain, engineering, operations management, or math/economics desired)
• At least 2 years of prior experience in supply chain planning, inventory management, procurement, manufacturing operations, or a field that demands complex quantitative analysis.
• Hands-on experience with modeling, forecasting, analysis and simulation tools.
• Experience within a high-performing team and ability to highly collaborate.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills.
• Data gathering and quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including business process metrics and measures linking to business KPIs.
• Motivated to drive business results versus personal preferences, and in group achievement rather than individual achievement.
• Meets deadlines and work under pressure, with limited supervision.
• Well-organized and high level of attention to detail.
• Knowledge of forecasting processes in sales, marketing operations, finance and manufacturing.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Evaluate scenarios in with end-to-end supply chain impact in mind.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, including great presentations.

Nice-to-haves

• APICS certification.
• At least 3 years of prior experience in supply chain planning, inventory management, procurement, manufacturing operations, or a field that demands complex quantitative analysis.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off