Demand Specialist

Job Description

Demand Planner Specialist-EMEA-

The Demand Planning Manager will support the entire demand planning process for the Switchgear EMEA Business

Unit, from data analysis and forecasting to communication. This includes collaborating with cross-functional teams

and developing demand strategies aligned with business objectives.

As part of the EMEA Demand planning team, this role delivers a reliable demand plan to support central Sales &

Operations Planning for Switchgear. This ensures Commercial and Operations management have accurate and

timely demand information for decision-making regarding business priorities andl in navigating complex demand scenarios and

proactively addressing potential risks.

Key Responsibilities

• Advanced Demand Forecasting and Analysis:
  
  

 Lead the rigorous collection and in-depth analysis of complex historical sales data,

identifying nuanced trends, causal factors, and market drivers, including the impact

of promotions, macroeconomic indicators, and competitor activities.

 Design, develop, and continuously refine sophisticated statistical forecast models,

proactively exploring and implementing advanced forecasting techniques (e.g.,

machine learning algorithms, predictive analytics, hierarchical forecasting) and

leveraging specialized planning software to generate highly accurate baseline

forecasts.

 Proactively integrate and synthesize diverse sources of business intelligence,

including detailed qualitative insights from sales, marketing, and product

management (e.g., granular new product introduction forecasts, promotional lift

analysis, evolving market trends, competitive intelligence, in-depth customer

feedback) into comprehensive, consensus-driven forecasts.

 Conduct deep-dive analysis of forecast variances and root cause analysis, identifying

underlying systemic issues, recommending corrective actions, and implementing

preventative measures to improve future forecast accuracy and reduce bias.

 Develop and implement robust methodologies for assessing and quantifying demand

risk and opportunity, creating scenario analyses (e.g., best-case, worst-case, most

likely) to inform strategic decision-making and enable proactive mitigation or

capitalization strategies.

• Expert Collaboration and Consensus Building:
  
  

 Facilitate and drive highly e􀆯ective, cross-functional demand review meetings,

expertly leading discussions with sales, marketing, finance, and operations toachieve a robust and fully aligned consensus demand plan,

e􀆯ectively resolving

conflicts and driving commitment.

 Strategically challenge sales and marketing forecasts through rigorous data-driven

analysis and compelling insights, ensuring the demand plan is realistic, achievable,

and aligns with operational capabilities and financial targets.

 Champion clear, concise, and persuasive communication of the final consensus

demand plan, tailoring the message and key takeaways to various stakeholder groups

across all relevant departments, ensuring comprehensive understanding and buy-in.

 Take a leading role in coordinating complex new product launches and end-of-life

cycles, collaborating closely with product development, marketing, and supply chain

teams to ensure accurate forecasting, smooth transitions, and minimize

obsolescence or stock-out risks.

• Strategic Inventory Management Support:
  
  

 Provide critical and detailed input to supply planning, collaborating extensively with

supply chain teams to translate the consensus demand plan into optimized

production schedules, inventory strategies, and capacity plans that balance service

levels with cost e􀆯iciency.

 Proactively monitor and analyze inventory performance against strategic targets,

identifying emerging potential stock-outs or excess inventory, conducting root cause

analysis, and recommending advanced corrective and preventative actions.

 Develop and implement strategies for minimizing slow-moving and obsolete (SLOB)

inventory, including proactive identification, lifecycle management, and

collaborating on disposition plans.

• Advanced Reporting, Performance Monitoring, and Process Improvement:
  
  

 Design, develop, and automate sophisticated demand planning reports and

dashboards focused on forecast accuracy, bias, demand variability, service levels,

and other key performance indicators (KPIs), providing actionable insights to

leadership.

 Present complex demand insights and performance analysis to management,

articulating challenges, opportunities, and strategic recommendations in a clear and

impactful manner.

 Proactively identify opportunities for process optimization and drive the

implementation of improvements to forecasting models, data integration, planning

processes, and systems to significantly enhance accuracy, e􀆯iciency, and

responsiveness across the SIOP cycle.

 Lead or participate in continuous improvement initiatives within the SIOP function,

applying Lean or Six Sigma principles where applicable.

• System Mastery and Data Governance:
  
  

 Serve as a super-user and subject matter expert for demand planning software (e.g.,

ERP/MRP systems, advanced planning systems like Kinaxis, IBP, Anaplan),

maximizing system capabilities to drive e􀆯iciency and accuracy.

 Develop and enforce data governance best practices to ensure the highest level of

data integrity, accuracy, and consistency within planning systems.

 Contribute to the evaluation and selection of new planning technologies and tools,

assessing their potential impact and integration.

Daily/Weekly/Monthly Cadence - Enhanced Focus

Daily/Weekly: Proactive monitoring of demand signals, deep-dive analysis into

short-term deviations, rapid communication of significant shifts, and addressing

urgent planning exceptions.

Monthly

 Leading comprehensive data refresh and validates process, ensuring data quality for

all planning inputs.

 Executing advanced statistical forecast runs and performing detailed postprocessing

adjustments.

 Strategically preparing for and expertly facilitating demand review meetings, driving

consensus and accountability.

 Performing in-depth analysis of forecast accuracy and bias, generating insights, and

presenting detailed KPI reports with recommendations.

 Proactively identifying, quantifying, and communicating emerging risks and

opportunities, contributing to risk mitigation strategies.

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