Demand Planner

At Lindt, we are a global fast-growing consumer goods company, enchanting the world with premium chocolate. We are 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 Planner is a critical role in our Sales & Operations Planning process to provide the supply chain visibility to a brands future demand. This highly analytical position leads the monthly forecast process for their respective brands using statistical modeling, 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 peers 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 Forecasting

• Creates a rolling 18 month forecast for a group of brands or products within the wholesale channel.
• Uses statistical modeling and multiple sources of information such as point of sale data (IRI, AC Nielsen, Customer POS), sales insights, macro-economic factors, and historical shipment data to refine the demand forecast.
• Provide data driven insights supporting the demand forecast.
• Evaluates the demand forecast against company objectives, marketing targets and sales plans.
• Conduct root cause analysis and recommendations to improve forecast accuracy.
• Ensures material forecast changes are communicated appropriately across impacted departments to meet sales needs and reduce inventory risk.

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.

Demand Execution

• Proactively monitors forecast versus orders making recommendations to support high service levels and reducing excess inventory as part of the weekly Sales & Operations Execution meeting.
• Supports demand prioritization or allocation process when needed.
• Evaluates risks and opportunities when demand deviates from the plan.
• Propose and implement continuous improvements in process, systems, and communication.