Everyday Demand Planning Manager

At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We're driven by our passion for excellence and go the extra mile ensuring that every Lindt experience is nothing short of exceptional. Our collective efforts are geared towards making a positive impact, not only in the world of premium chocolate but also in the lives of our employees, customers, and communities. Our company embraces a culture defined by the core values of Excellence, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Responsibility, and Collaboration, fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment where these principles drive our success.

Position Purpose:

The Demand Planning Manager coordinates the demand forecast for the wholesale everyday category as a critical input to the company Sales & Operations Planning cycle. The role manages a team of Demand Planners forecasting core categories using statistical models, market data, analytics, and qualitative inputs from Sales and Marketing. The objective is to provide the most accurate forecasts enabling Supply Chain, Finance, and Sales to manage customer service, financial commitments, and growth. To achieve this the role will collaborate frequently with leaders in Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales, and Revenue Growth teams.

This is a hybrid role that requires three days per week in our Stratham, NH corporate office.

Demand Planning

• Create a rolling 18 month forecast for everyday core brands within the wholesale sales channel.
• Lead key meetings that develop the monthly Demand Consensus and present respective brands to management in monthly Demand Consensus meeting.
• Evaluate forecast accuracy or bias gaps. Propose and implement corrective actions.
• Provide input and reporting to weekly cross functional Sales & Operations Execution meetings.
• Lead continuous improvements in process, systems, and communication with cross functional stakeholders.

Product Life Cycle Management

• Provide forecast inputs to new product commercialization projects.
• Manage innovation forecasts cross functionally with Marketing, Sales, and Category Management teams.
• Participate and represent supply chain in new product development meetings.
• Coordinate cross functionally the exit strategy for discontinuations and packaging changes.

Other Responsibilities

• Coordinate excess inventory liquidation with Sales.
• Address demand related issues in a timely and effective manner.
• Team development in timely communication, analytics, demand planning principles, setting and achieving goals, workload prioritization, and performance coaching.
• Maintain functional master data for effective system use.