Job Title: Demand Planning Manager
Location: Troy, AL
Classification: Salary
Grade: Salary Grade II
Department: Supply Chain
Reports To: Director of Supply Chain & Business Systems
SUMMARY/OBJECTIVE
The Demand Planning Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining a robust demand plan that aligns sales, marketing, product management, and operations to ensure optimal inventory levels, service performance, and production efficiency.
This role owns forecasting, Master Production Scheduling (MPS), new product introductions, lifecycle management, and inventory analysis while ensuring alignment between customer demand and operational execution.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop and maintain demand forecasts in collaboration with Sales, Marketing, and Product Management for all value streams, including eCommerce and Firearms.
- Analyze historical sales, trends, and seasonality to improve forecast accuracy
- Lead MPS review meetings and communicate outputs across the organization
- Create and maintain MPS for NPI, steady state, unique opportunities, and aftermarket demand
- Coordinate demand inputs and planning parameters for new product launches
- Validate lead times, safety stock levels, and system parameters
- Lead end-of-life planning to minimize excess and obsolete inventory
- Own planning-related change management and effectivity dates
- Monitor inventory levels and drive corrective actions
- Coordinate with Planning and Purchasing to resolve shortages and late orders
- Serve as central coordination point between Sales, Marketing, Planning, and Purchasing
- Drive continuous improvement in forecasting and planning processes
QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
- Understanding of demand planning, forecasting, and inventory management
- Strong communication and cross-functional facilitation skills
- Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (Infor Visual preferred)
- Advanced Excel skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Required:
- Minimum 5 years of experience in demand planning or supply chain planning in a manufacturing environment
- Experience with forecasting, MPS, and inventory management
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
- Experience with ERP systems (Infor Visual preferred)
- Experience with SIOP / IBP or MPS processes
- APICS/ASCM certification (CPIM, CSCP) is a plus
REASONING ABILITY
This position requires various reasoning abilities in order to be successful such as:
- Ability to collect and document data
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions
- Ability to perform complex and varied tasks
- Ability to perform simple, repetitive tasks for an extended period of time
COMPUTER SKILLS
- Required knowledge of MS Excel and MS Word using MS Windows platform.
- MS PowerPoint and MS Access experience is a plus.
- Familiarity utilizing email, ERP and Computerized Inventory System.
OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES
Attendance is an essential job requirement defined as having regular, consistent, reliable, punctual and predictable attendance.
Ability to work regular hours and shifts, overtime before and after shifts and on weekends.
Ability to work as part of a team, including all related departments/plants or independently as required.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
While performing the duties of the job the employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
WORK AUTHORIZATION
This position requires compliance with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Must be a U.S. Person as defined by all pertinent regulations.
OTHER DUTIES
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities. Activities may change at any time.