Reporting Relationships

Job Title: Demand and Planning Manager

Reports To: Plant Director

Functional Department: Supply Chain

Position Summary

The Demand & Planning Manager is responsible for overseeing procurement and scheduling management, ensuring optimal inventory levels, timely deliveries, and efficient production. This role will lead digital transformation initiatives, including SAP implementation and other technological advancements like predictive analytics, driving local change and aligning processes with global standards. The manager will also champion continuous improvement initiatives to foster cost savings and efficiency and will actively collaborate with global supply chain teams. This position directly manages a team of two Procurers and one Scheduler.

Key Responsibilities and Accountability

Procurement & Scheduling Management (Oversight and Strategic Direction)

• Procurement Oversight:

  • Provide strategic direction and oversight to the procurement team to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of materials, aligning with production plans and inventory targets.
  • Collaborate with Procurers to ensure optimal inventory levels, drive material availability, and maintain strong supplier relationships.
  • Guide Procurers in managing inter-company material flow, resolving issues, and implementing strategies for cost reduction and new supplier development.
  • Support Procurers in managing material flows during product changes, obsolescence, and new product development, and ensure compliance with quality and environmental standards.

• Scheduling Management:

  • Oversee the scheduling function to ensure robust production plans that maximize labor output, meet demand, and achieve on-time deliveries.
  • Collaborate with the Scheduler to develop and optimize production schedules based on capacity, standard product times, and material availability.
  • Guide the Scheduler in balancing production efficiency with inventory targets and responding effectively to changes in demand or supply.

• Integrated Planning:

  • Foster seamless integration between procurement and scheduling activities to ensure a cohesive and efficient supply chain operation.

• Global Collaboration:

  • Work with the Program Manager and the global purchasing teams to ensure that materials are on time for production schedules, new product launches and collaborations, leveraging the team of Procurers to execute these objectives.

Digital Transformation & Systems Leadership

• Lead digital transformation initiatives, including the SAP implementation project for the Cambridge plant, evaluating gaps compared to other plant processes.
• Drive the adoption and optimization of other technological advancements, such as predictive analytics, to enhance supply chain efficiency and decision-making.
• Drive local change across all departments to align with global digital strategies and system implementations.

Continuous Improvement & Inventory Support

• Initiate and lead continuous improvement projects focused on developing a cost-savings mindset throughout the supply chain.
• Challenge suppliers on lead times and explore opportunities for efficiency gains and cost reductions.
• Support the success of the annual physical inventory by proposing improvements and driving small projects related to inventory accuracy and process optimization.
• Interfaces with the Regional and Central Supply Chain team on the planning and forecasting of customer orders to meet shipments.
• Collaborate with management to plan forecasting models while working with the local management team to execute the schedule to maximize productivity and flexibility.

Team Leadership & Development

• Supervise, evaluate and coach staff members.
• Directly manage, mentor, and evaluate a team of two Procurers and one Scheduler, ensuring their effective performance, professional development and supporting their career paths.
• Ensures that the company standard practices and procedures are followed in connection with all materials department functions.

Strategic Alignment & Global Collaboration

• As a key senior member of the management team, align with company decisions and actively collaborate with the management team and global supply chain teams on key activities, strategies, and initiatives.

Environmental Compliance (ISO 14001)

• Develop and implement strategies to ensure supplier compliance with environmental standards, particularly in preparation for ISO 14001 requirements.
• This includes overseeing the assessment of suppliers' environmental impact, preparing for and participating in supplier audits, and guiding the procurement team in managing associated documentation and processes to minimize risks and ensure long-term sustainability.

Competencies required for the role

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

Desirable

5+ years’ progressive experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain management with related experience in purchasing, logistics and inventory management systems.

X

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.

X

Strong quantitative analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable recommendations

X

Advanced knowledge of forecasting and budgeting processes.

X

Hands-on experience with demand planning software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Anaplan, Power BI, Tableau). SAP implementation

X

Technical and Operational Competencies as follows:

Essential

Desirable

Understanding of Supply Chain Operations

A deep understanding of the entire supply chain, from raw material sourcing to product delivery, and how demand planning impacts each stage.

X

Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Relationship Management Guiding procurers in developing new suppliers and managing relationships, which is critical for sourcing unique or high-quality materials

X

Collaboration and Teamwork

The ability to work effectively with various internal and external stakeholders, fostering a collaborative environment to achieve shared goals.

X

Leadership and Influence

The capacity to lead a demand planning team (if applicable), influence decision-making across departments, and drive consensus on demand forecasts.

X

Adaptability and Agility

The ability to respond quickly to changes in market conditions, customer demand, and unforeseen disruptions, adjusting plans accordingly.

X

Business Acumen

A solid understanding of business principles, market dynamics, and financial implications of demand planning decisions.

X

Customer Focus

A commitment to understanding customer needs and ensuring that demand plans align with customer expectations and service level agreements.

X

Decision-Making

The ability to make informed and timely decisions based on data, analysis, and strategic objectives.

X

Digital Transformation and Predictive Analytics

Driving the adoption of technological advancements like predictive analytics to enhance supply chain efficiency and decision-making

X

Risk Management

Identifying potential risks in demand forecasting and supply and developing mitigation strategies.

X

Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement

A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for enhancing demand planning processes and tools. Initiating and leading continuous improvement projects to foster cost savings and efficiency, while maintaining the artisanal quality

X

Skills

Essential

Desirable

Analytical and Forecasting

Strong analytical skills are crucial for interpreting data, identifying trends, and developing accurate demand forecasts. This includes proficiency in statistical modeling, data analysis tools, and forecasting techniques.

X

Strong Leadership and Management Skills

The ability to inspire, motivate, develop, and manage a team effectively. This includes delegation, performance management, resolving complex conflicts and promoting positive inter-team dynamics; Effectively handling pressure and setbacks.

Taking ownership of departmental outcomes and decisions

X

Data Management

Ability to manage and interpret large datasets, understand data integrity, and translate data into actionable insights for demand planning.

X

Communication

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for collaborating with cross-functional teams (sales, marketing, production, finance), presenting forecasts, and explaining complex data in an understandable way.

X

Problem-Solving

The ability to identify issues in the supply chain, analyze root causes, and develop effective solutions to optimize inventory levels and meet demand.

X

Negotiation and Cross-functional Collaboration

Effective negotiation and collaboration skills to work effectively in a matrix work environment.

X

Technical Proficiency

Expertise in demand planning software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), and advanced MS Office applications (e.g., Microsoft Excel) are vital. Power BI and Power Query experience an asset

X

Strategic Thinking

The capacity to develop long-term demand strategies that align with business goals and market trends**.**

X

Time Management and Organization

Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and adhere to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

X

Attention to Detail

Meticulousness in data analysis and planning to minimize errors and ensure accuracy.

X

Working Conditions

Work under pressure, tight deadlines, attention to detail, reading text, document use, numeracy, writing, oral communication, working with others, problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, job task planning and organizing, significant use of memory, finding information, computer use and continuous learning.

We would like to speak to individuals who are aligned with our core values of having an entrepreneurial spirit and collaborating as a team with no room for ego. We operate as one crew and celebrate our differences as we strive to be agile and resilient.

RIMOWA North America Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions at RIMOWA are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, ancestry, national origin, ethnic origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, record of offences, marital status, family status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, or local law, regulation, or ordinance. We value an inclusive and diverse workforce and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. If you have accommodation needs throughout the selection process, please contact our HR department.

• RIMOWA leverages AI technology within its electronic screening processes.