Demand Planning Manager

Any MLF team member interested in being considered for this role are encouraged to apply online by March 14. Applications received beyond that date are not guaranteed consideration.

Snapshot of a Day-in-the-Life:

• Work with one peer and Director to actively manage the entire talent strategy of Demand Planning including scouting, recruitment, onboarding, investment and development of our talent.
• Provide direct coaching and feedback to direct reports to support their day-to-day responsibilities as well as their ongoing personal development.
• Manage career planning of direct reports through annual PAD process and MySuccess platform.
• Actively participate in the annual LTR process to develop broader ML Supply Chain talent.
• Create and foster strong working relationships with cross functional partners in Sales, Supply Planning, Customer Supply Chain, Sales Operations, S&OP, Marketing, and in some cases the external Customer.

• Deploy critical thinking, strategic vision and team building to drive the continuous improvement of our short-range demand planning function.
• Lead the Retail Canadian Demand Planning team to support existing Consensus, Vitals and BBNF processes with our Commercial partners.
• Responsible for creation and maintenance of the 18-month rolling baseline forecast in IBP.
• Use statistical modeling in IBP with other Excel-based tools and analytics to generate the baseline demand forecast.
• Work collaboratively with sales and other cross-functional partners leading the team to generate the lift forecast driven by commercial activity.
• Understand the product lifecycle of the portfolio, from new launch to rationalization, and forecast accordingly.
• Understand inherent risks in forecasting decisions and guide the cross-functional team to manage and mitigate appropriately.
• Collect, manipulate, and analyze data and performance metrics providing the organization with appropriate and timely feedback and insight.
• Provide other functional areas (including Sales, Finance, and other Supply Chain departments) with key demand information adjusting the communication accordingly.
• Maintain customer-related demand information: distribution, listings/de-listings, transitions etc. and reflect appropriately in the forecast.
• Where relationships exist, work directly with our customer’s replenishment teams to glean insights into future demand.
• Responsible for monitoring KPIs including forecast accuracy, bias, Forecast Value Add, having a strong understanding of issues/gaps to targets, and leading initiatives to improve.
• Be the expert and Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for the demand forecast for your respective portfolio.

• Own the lifecycle maintenance in IBP/SAP for Launch items (base + lift forecasted) that turn into Mature (all-in forecasted).
• Own and maintain CVC-level master data in IBP including horizon flags and VMI settings.
• Partner with IS to continue development of our PowerBI platforms (Market IQ/Supply Chain IQ).
• Continue to explore additional functionality from IBP to be operationalized into standard process at MLF.

What You’ll Bring:

• University degree.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in at least one of the following areas: Supply Chain Planning, Forecasting, Sales, Marketing, or a related discipline.
• 2+ years of experience leading a high performing team.
• Strong desire and ability to live the Maple Leaf Values.
• A deep understanding of Forecasting, Supply Chain, and commercial processes in a CPG company, preferably with perishable goods.
• An expert knowledge of inventory management principals and the impact of Demand Planning within the organization.
• Thorough understanding of and experience with IBP.
• Excellent attention to detail and analytics, adept at comprehending and working with large quantities of data from a variety of sources to support decision-making.
• Sound decision making skills with the ability to make judgment calls in ambiguous situations when data is incomplete.
• Superior interpersonal skills: ability to work well with others in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communicator, with the ability to tailor the communications to the relevant audience.
• Ability to work well under pressure and multitask, maintaining poise and a positive attitude in a changing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn and operate as well as lead and coach in a fast pace, dynamic environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build and grow a team.
• Drive and flexibility to work as required to fulfill business needs.
• Strong business acumen and excellent computer skills, especially Microsoft Office and SAP.
• Process and Systems oriented.
• Experience with six sigma methodologies, concepts, and tools would be an asset.
• APICS, CPIM, or other certification is valued.

What We Offer at Maple Leaf Foods:

• Being part of a high-performance, people-focused company that has an inspiring and unique vision to become the most sustainable protein company on earth, and a deep commitment to sustainable protein across North America.
• An inclusive company culture and a work environment that keeps our people safe, rewards excellence, and empowers everyone to learn and contribute their best.
• A hybrid work model that embraces remote work for eligible roles, helping team members achieve work-life balance—combining the best of both spending time working remotely, benefitting from focus time, and purposeful collaboration in the office setting.
• Competitive Health and Wellness benefits that offer flexibility to meet your individual or family needs, including programs focused on improving mental health and wellbeing. These benefits start on your first day of employment.
• Defined Contribution Pension Plan with company matching that starts on your first day of employment.
• Learning and development opportunities, including workshops, ‘speaker series’ events, and resources that allow you to develop your skills and progress your career.
• Comprehensive tuition reimbursement program that supports continuous learning and development of our team members through investment in eligible degrees, diplomas, professional certification, or trades programs.
• Supporting our deep commitment to community impact, we offer up to two paid days annually to volunteer at a cause of your choice.

About Us:

We’re a carbon neutral food company on a purposeful journey to Raise the Good in Food through better nutrition, safer food and workplaces, more humane animal care, and environmental sustainability efforts that protect our planet. We care about our communities and commit to reducing food insecurity in Canada. Join us on the journey. Let’s build a better future, together.

We’re passionate about food. For more than 100 years, we’ve made delicious, healthy protein that Canadians love under iconic national and regional brands, like Maple Leaf, Schneiders, and Greenfield Natural Meat Co. We’re on a journey to become the most sustainable protein company – not just in Canada – but on earth.

• We are carbon neutral.
• We are one of the only food companies in Canada to set science-based targets.

A diverse and inclusive work environment

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision and living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values. We believe in building, investing in, recognizing, and rewarding remarkable people who value an inclusive workplace, embrace all forms of diversity, and commit to including every voice in our collaborative environment. We’re so much stronger when we know we’re accepted and valued for who we are and what we each bring to the workplace.

We embrace a strong, values-based culture

Our eight Leadership Values are our north star. They guide the decisions we make for all our stakeholders: our consumers, our customers, our people, our communities, our shareholders, and the environment.

• Doing What’s Right
• Shared Value
• High Performance
• Diverse and Inclusive Teams
• Disciplined Decision Making
• Our Accountability
• Intense Curiosity
• Transparency and Humility

We thank all applicants for their interest in exploring employment opportunities with Maple Leaf Foods; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants may be subject to a background check and must meet the security criteria designated for the position.

Championing diversity and inclusion is a critical component to advancing our collective purpose and vision, living the Maple Leaf Leadership Values, and delivering winning results. Accommodation is available upon request for applicants with disabilities in the recruitment and assessment process and when hired; please contact our Talent Attraction Team at accommodations@mapleleaf.com.