Demand Planner

* THIS IS NOT A JOB AT FORCEBRANDS*

Location Expectations

Chicago-based candidates will receive first consideration . A full-time employee would be expected to work from the company’s Chicago office for the majority of the week.

For an initial part-time engagement, the company may consider an especially strong remote candidate who is willing to travel to Chicago for onboarding, training and occasional in-person collaboration. Chicago is still preferred because the position may eventually convert to full-time.

Position Overview

This individual will own and improve this CPG company’s demand-planning process. The current approach combines available data with significant institutional knowledge and judgment. The goal is to build a more formal, scalable process that helps the business determine how much product to produce, when it will be needed and where inventory should be deployed.

The right candidate will bring direct demand-planning experience and be comfortable working within a small, growing organization. This person must be able to evaluate existing systems and data, create practical planning processes and partner closely with both sales and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and enhance the company’s demand-planning process.
• Develop accurate demand forecasts using available sales data, customer insights and business trends.
• Translate demand forecasts into production requirements and inventory-deployment plans.
• Partner closely with sales and operations to align forecasts with changing business needs.
• Establish daily and weekly planning routines with the sales team.
• Support the company’s transition from direct shipping to a new third-party logistics network.
• Develop initial pipeline-fill and inventory-allocation plans based on launch timing and distribution needs.
• Determine where inventory should be positioned across the company’s expanding distribution network.
• Evaluate and effectively use the company’s existing systems, data and reporting tools.
• Build scalable forecasting processes, planning tools and operating structures.
• Identify inventory risks, supply gaps and potential excess stock before they affect the business.
• Manage evolving planning requirements as the company grows and expands its retail and distribution footprint.

Candidate Qualifications

• Direct, hands-on demand-planning experience is required.
• Experience within food, beverage or another consumer packaged goods category is preferred.
• Background may include demand planning, supply chain, operations, sales planning or finance, provided demand planning has been a meaningful part of the candidate’s responsibilities.
• Experience translating sales forecasts into production and inventory requirements.
• Strong understanding of inventory allocation, replenishment and distribution planning.
• Experience working with third-party logistics providers or supporting a 3PL transition is helpful.
• Comfortable evaluating existing data and building planning processes where limited structure currently exists.
• Able to balance analytical decision-making with practical business judgment.
• Strong cross-functional communication skills and experience partnering with sales and operations teams.
• Comfortable operating in a small, fast-growing and evolving organization.
• Willing and able to work hands-on rather than solely providing high-level strategic direction.