Description
Analyze, forecast, and coordinate customer demand to align supply, inventory, and sales plans. Own the demand plan across the product lifecycle—from signal capture and statistical modeling through consensus and handoff—to meet service, revenue, and cost targets.
- • Build statistical forecasts at SKU/location using POS, orders, seasonality, and market data.
- • Cleanse data, identify outliers, and apply demand sensing where appropriate.
- • Maintain and develop positive relationships with sales, marketing, finance, and key customers to capture demand drivers.
- • Translate customer and channel needs into forecast assumptions and event plans.
- • Lead the monthly S&OP/IBP demand review to achieve a consensus forecast.
- • Collaborate with supply, procurement, and operations to align supply with the demand plan and constraints.
- • Recommend safety stock, reorder, and inventory targets based on variability and service goals.
- • Monitor forecast accuracy, bias, and service KPIs; root-cause variances and implement corrective actions.
- • Publish rolling demand plans, changes, and risk/opportunity updates to stakeholders.
- • Plan demand for promotions, price changes, and seasonal events; model uplift and cannibalization.
- • Forecast new product introductions and product transitions; coordinate cut-ins and ramp-downs.
- • Manage demand across the product lifecycle to minimize excess and obsolescence.
- • Assess demand impacts of design changes, customer programs, and portfolio decisions.
- • Maintain planning master data and parameters in ERP/APS tools (e.g., SAP, IBP, APO, o9, Anaplan).
- • Develop and maintain forecasting calendars, assumption logs, and process controls.
- • Create scenario analyses to balance revenue, service, and inventory; recommend trade-offs.
- • Present forecast scenarios, risks, and recommendations to leadership and commercial teams.
- • Lead and prioritize demand planning activities and exceptions; coach analysts as needed.
- • Execute CPFR or collaborative planning with key customers and suppliers.
- • Ensure confidentiality and proper handling of sensitive forecast and customer information.
- • Evaluate and adopt forecasting methods and technology to improve accuracy and efficiency.
- • Perform managerial duties such as hiring, training, and governance of demand planning processes.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Supply Chain & Transportation
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
