Demand Planner

Job description

## Job Description We are looking for a **Demand Planning Specialist** to lead and strengthen the demand planning process across the region, ensuring disciplined execution of the **Integrated Tactical Planning (ITP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP)** cycles. This role will connect short-term commercial and operational decisions with the mid- and long-term business plan, working closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Planning, Customer Logistics and other key stakeholders. A critical component of the position is the ownership and continuous improvement of the **statistical demand baseline**, leveraging planning tools such as **o9 and SAP** to improve forecast quality, product availability and inventory performance. ### Key Responsibilities **ITP & IBP Process Ownership** - Coordinate and drive the weekly ITP and monthly IBP planning cycles. - Ensure alignment between short-term demand decisions and mid- and long-term business plans. - Partner cross-functionally with Commercial, Marketing, Finance, Supply Planning and Customer Logistics teams. - Identify opportunities to continuously improve planning routines, governance and execution. **Demand Planning & Statistical Forecasting** - Build, maintain and continuously improve the statistical demand baseline. - Analyze demand patterns, sales trends and business inputs to improve forecast accuracy and reduce bias. - Translate data into actionable insights that support commercial and supply chain decision-making. - Monitor key demand planning KPIs, including **Forecast Accuracy, BIAS, inventory and service levels**. **Planning Systems: o9 & SAP** - Act as a key specialist for demand planning tools, particularly **o9 and SAP**. - Configure and maintain demand-planning parameters, master data and statistical forecasting models. - Troubleshoot system or data issues impacting the demand baseline. - Partner with IT/Digital and global planning teams to improve system effectiveness and data integrity. **Risk & Inventory Management** - Identify potential demand and supply risks and support the development of mitigation plans. - Monitor market trends, sales performance, inventory health and other factors that may affect demand. - Support initiatives to reduce supply chain losses and optimize inventory. - Drive visibility and escalation of risks that could impact service levels or business performance. **Regional Forecast Collaboration** - Share and align demand forecasts with regional and international finished-goods supply sources. - Maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders to support product availability and service levels. **Continuous Improvement** - Support the implementation of demand planning, waste management, standardization and continuous improvement initiatives. - Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve planning discipline and enhance decision-making through data. ### What We’re Looking For - Bachelor’s degree in **Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations**, or a related field. - **3–5 years of experience** in Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Forecasting or similar roles. - Solid knowledge and practical experience with **IBP, ITP and/or S&OP processes**. - Strong experience with **statistical forecasting and demand planning techniques**. - Hands-on knowledge of **o9** for statistical forecasting, baseline configuration and/or master data management. - Experience working with **SAP planning solutions**, such as APO or IBP. - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. - Proficiency in **Excel and Power BI**. - Ability to translate complex data into clear business insights and recommendations. - Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to work across Commercial, Finance and Supply Chain teams. - Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple planning cycles and priorities simultaneously. - **Fluent English and Spanish.** - Supply Chain certification is considered a plus ## Location(s) Alajuela, Costa Rica **Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes****.**