Demand Planning Manager

At Bayer we’re visionaries, driven to solve the world’s toughest challenges and striving for a world where 'Health for all, Hunger for none’ is no longer a dream, but a real possibility. We’re doing it with energy, curiosity and sheer dedication, always learning from unique perspectives of those around us, expanding our thinking, growing our capabilities and redefining ‘impossible’. There are so many reasons to join us. If you’re hungry to build a varied and meaningful career in a community of brilliant and diverse minds to make a real difference, there’s only one choice.

Demand Planning Manager

The Demand Manager is part of the Integrated Business Planning team, responsible for demand planning, which drives the implementation of business strategies and the achievement of business goals and objectives. The Demand Manager oversees the creation, management, ongoing changes to, and communication of the demand plan, ensuring it is supported by robust assumptions and data. This role drives ownership and accountability of key planning inputs with cross-functional partners and manages channel demand plans in collaboration with Sales and Brand Managers. Additionally, the Demand Manager conducts customer analytics to generate assumptions related to baseline forecasts, promotional lifts, and other activities that impact demand.

Bayer is committed to a flexible hybrid working environment. This is a permanent position based out of Mississauga, Ontario.

What you will do:

• Own the Demand Planning process and accuracy of the forecast:
  • Increase demand forecasting accuracy by removing forecast bias, utilizing robust analytics, while applying logic from customer trends.
  • Review customer/item-level key forecast misses from prior periods, conduct root cause analytics, and enable methods for continuous improvement.
  • Deliver forecast accuracy (FCA%), and forecast bias (FCB%) KPI’s to meet annual targets. Leverage internal exception reporting such as Repeating Bias and the Integrated Planning workbook to achieve these results.
  • Manage customer projections for retail inventory builds and seasonal shipment/consumption plans.
• Be operationally responsible for demand forecast:
  • Ensure data integrity and accurate entry of forecasts into relevant systems (e.g., SAP APO, OMP), while driving the presentation of KPI results within the Sales and Operations Planning, including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
  • Lead initiatives to refine and enhance the demand planning process by leveraging feedback and performance metrics, embracing DSO principles, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • Identify and manage risks and opportunities within the customer portfolio, proactively communicating potential issues to mitigate write-off risks and ensure service level targets are met.
• Own the partnerships with key leadership and product supply:
  • Serve as demand forecasting expert for your customer/brand(s), and generate key drivers and insights of demand forecasts within your portfolio at all relevant meetings.
  • Provide guidance to the category leads related to the overall forecast, and any gaps versus consensus targets.

Outcomes and KPIs:

• Forecast Accuracy

Who you are:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree with multi-functional experience in Planning, Logistics, Supply Chain Management.
• Experience in a Pharmaceutical, Consumer Products or regulated industry background and understanding of supply chain management principles such as (but not limited to) Production Planning, Purchasing, Forecasting, and Logistics.
• Experience with SAP/APO/OMP & SD/PP/MM or equivalent systems is preferred.
• Strong experience (skills and ability) working with various software packages: Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project and PowerPoint is required (High competency).
• Strong English communication, interpersonal, analytical, problem solving, customer focus and negotiation skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, work as a team player and self-starter (Project Management certification is an asset).
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within a matrixed organization.
• Affinity for supportive leadership, situational awareness, continual improvement and transparency.
• Able to lead with purpose, driving inclusion, respecting differences, and showing up as authentic best self.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation and rewards package.
• Collaborative, diverse and inclusive culture.
• Career development and global opportunities.
• Work-life flexibility programs such as flex hours, employee discounts, volunteer days, wellness, and other employee offerings.

Bayer is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of Inclusion and Diversity. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences and believe that our people are our most valuable asset. The collective sum of individual life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities that our employees invest in their work represents our culture, reputation, and Bayer’s values and purpose.

Bayer welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Candidates participating in our selection process requiring accommodation due to a disability or medical need are encouraged to notify the Bayer representative that they will be meeting with to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.

Location: Mississauga, Ontario

Division: Consumer Health

Reference Code: 834209