The Manager of Demand Planning is responsible for leading and continuously improving the demand planning function across all product portfolios at Mizkan America. This includes ownership of both short- and long-term forecasts, development of a high-performing team, and close cross-functional and external alignment. This role champions a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and digital enablement to drive forecast accuracy, business agility, and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Planning & Forecast Ownership

• Lead forecast strategy development, including base, incremental, and innovation forecasts.
• Own alignment across marketing, sales, supply chain, and finance on volume assumptions.
• Leverage predictive analytics and 'what-if' scenario planning to manage volatility and uncertainty.
• Incorporate external data sources (POS, market trends, customer inputs) to enrich forecast quality.

Process Leadership & System Use

• Lead the monthly demand cycle process meetings, including forecast consensus meetings and ES&OP demand inputs.
• Ensure rigorous forecast evaluation using baselines, incremental and naive models.
• Drive automation, standardization, and effective use of demand planning platforms (e.g., Blue Yonder, ORI).
• Champion digital fluency—integrating AI/ML models (future), ERP systems, and BI dashboards (e.g., Power) and ORI
• Configure and optimize planning parameters within Blue Yonder (or equivalent systems) to improve forecast accuracy and responsiveness.
• Leverage system functionality—such as statistical modeling, demand sensing, and lifecycle planning—to maximize planning precision.
• Lead team training and adoption to ensure consistent, full utilization of all planning tools and capabilities.
• Lead demand planning relationships 3rd parties with Blue Yonder ORI and Genpact. Recommend future state of our systems and work thru process to gain approval and implementation.

Performance Management & KPIs

• Establish and manage key KPIs such as forecast accuracy, OTIF, ADFI, and forecast value add (FVA).
• Use KPIs not just for reporting, but to influence inventory, service levels, and cost-to-serve trade-offs.
• Own root-cause analysis of consistent forecast deviations and lead corrective actions.

Team Development & Collaboration

• Build, coach, and lead a high-performance demand planning team.
• Foster strong partnerships with commercial, finance, and supply chain teams.
• Extend collaboration externally by integrating customer input, broker feedback, and joint business planning where applicable.
• Champion a continuous improvement (Kaizen) mindset across the team—streamlining workflows and improving speed-to-insight.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Analytics, or related field or equivalent work experience required
• 5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or S&OP
• Strong analytical and forecasting skills, with experience using planning tools and statistical models. - Proficiency with ERP and planning systems (e.g., SAP, Blue Yonder, Oracle, Kinaxis).
• Proven ability to clearly communicate/ influence cross-functional teams, C Suite and drive business outcomes.
• Demonstrated, hands-on on experience with Blue Yonder is preferred, in addition to Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite with particular focus on Excel
• Demonstrated project and change management of a system implementation preferred
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience within CPG, food manufacturing, or retail planning is preferred
• Data mining skills including the ability to retrieve, manipulate, analyze and interpret information critical to success.
• Strong time, project management and prioritization skills required.
• Organizational Skills: Must be able to manage multiple projects and complete projects on time.
• Prioritization Skills: Must work well under pressure and be highly responsive to short deadlines.
• Must be self-motivated, detail oriented, intellectually curious and driven to succeed.
• Demonstrated ability to interface effectively with people at all levels of a company.
• Ability to work in a fast paced and changing environment.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $98,800 to $150,000.

Compensation is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills and experience. Short-Term Incentive and other forms of compensation may also be provided as part of a total compensation package.

A full range of medical, dental, vision, 401K plus up-to-four percent (4%) match, profit sharing, wellness program, paid parental leave, long-term-care insurance, critical accident insurance, short- and long-term disability and education assistance are also available.