Demand Planner

SUMMARY: This position is responsible for the consolidation of US demand and generation of sales forecasts for Orthopaedic products. Provides US sales forecasts to manufacturing and recommends actions to marketing, finance, and manufacturing teams. Ensures a US, comprehensive demand plan is developed, maintained and executed. Accountable for the demand planning process, including monitoring of forecast performance and monthly demand meetings, for assigned products. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Performs system maintenance of a demand planning system in order to optimize statistical forecasts, add market intelligence, and ensure data referential integrity. 2. Creates, maintains, and documents a multi-year product sales forecast. This includes, but not limited to, product launches, discontinuations, and phase outs. 3. Provides sales forecasts to manufacturing. Recommends actions to marketing, finance, and manufacturing teams. 4. Develops and monitors forecast performance (error); tracks demand and develops appropriate action plans. 5. Assists manufacturing in matching supply with demand by analyzing backlog data and providing forecast assumptions. 6. Creates documentation for and conducts monthly meetings with marketing, finance, and manufacturing to gather market intelligence and to gain consensus for a one-number demand plan. 7. Develops reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals for demand planning. 8. Assists in the development and training of all forecast functions. 9. Develops and maintains tools, processes, and metrics to facilitate analysis and execution of the demand plan. 10. Reports performance metrics (statistical, consensus, financial) and business fundamentals. 11. Investigates and implements new forecasting/planning techniques and tools. 12. Communicates with marketing and manufacturing associates in order to corroborate demand patterns. SCOPE OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES: For funds, Costs or Profits: This position forecasts products within the Orthopaedic product lines which as worldwide sales in excess of $500 million. The impacts on production and procurement levels are enormous, as is potential obsolescence scrap For Supervision: N/A For Internal and External Relationships: Daily contact occurs with marketing, finance, and manufacturing at manager, director and vice president level. The position requires securing information and explaining data to personnel of higher rank. Trends and their impact on sales and inventory are reported to senior management. Routine communication with global associates is expected. Requires tact to avoid misunderstanding where improper handling could affect results. For Organization Influence: Scope of influence covers production and procurement levels of all Orthopaedic products as well as field inventory levels. The position has direct affect on inventory, manufacturing resource plans, global product availability and product introduction and phase-outs. LIMITS OF AUTHORITY: Plans and executes policy under general guidelines. Regularly make decisions requiring the exercise of judgment. Independent judgment is required in the planning of work and in the making of important decisions where alternatives are limited and/or where company policies and guidelines provide little guidance. Director of Marketing Operations approves major decisions. OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS Carries out special projects assigned by management And/or other duties as may be assigned PLACE IN ORGANIZATION: Reports to US Demand Manager Location: Austin/Memphis/Dallas Ft Worth Metropolitan Area Education: BS / BA degree in Logistics, Supply/Demand Management, statistics, mathematics or related business/finance field. Licenses/ Certifications: APICS education is preferred. Experience: Minimum of 4 years experience in demand planning or related supply chain function. (I.e. production planning, purchasing, manufacturing or logistics) Requires familiarity of statistical modeling techniques, forecasting concepts and practices. Minimum of 2 year of experience with one of the top tier demand planning software solutions. (i.e. i2, SAP APO, Manugistics or Logility). Competences: Strong analytical, organizational, inter-personal, project management, and written communication skills are required. Occasional contacts under stressful situations require a high degree of good judgement and communication skills to avoid misunderstandings where improper handling would result in serious global adverse relationships. The position requires the effective presentation of information and response to questions from diverse groups of managers, customers, and employees of the organization. Adherence to deadlines is essential. Computer Skills: An astute level of proficiency in MS Office is required. Report designing capabilities using Power BI is advantageous. A working knowledge of statistical analysis and forecast theory is preferred. Physical Demands: Stand 10%, Walk 10% and Sit 80% A high degree of data entry and redundancy should be expected. Talk or hear clearly without fixed location aid to deal with customers and supplier of information at their location– both domestically and internationally. Physical requirements of International travel Visual ability to spend extended periods working with detailed data reports and computer screens Normal office environment. Exposure to outdoor weather conditions when walking to various departments and building to coordinate projects and/or attend meetings. Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Travel Requirements: 10%-25% Smith Nephew provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.