Demand & Supply Planning Analyst at Merit Brass Company – Cleveland, Ohio

Objectives:
• Maintain optimal inventory levels to meet customer demand without overstocking or stockouts.
• Use data analytics and business inputs to generate reliable demand forecasts that drive supply planning decisions.
• Balance projected demand with supply capabilities (production, procurement, capacity) to ensure a stable and efficient supply chain.
• Provide data and insights for cross-functional planning meetings, aligning stakeholders on a single plan for demand and supply.
• Minimize working capital tied up in inventory while ensuring service levels are met across distribution channels.
• Identify and manage potential disruptions in demand and supply; develop contingency plans to ensure continuity.
• Create reports, dashboards, and models to help leadership make informed strategic and operational decisions.
• Analyze and improve forecasting, planning, and replenishment processes using Lean, Six Sigma, or other best practices.
Responsibilities
Demand Planning:

• Analyze historical sales, market trends, seasonality, and promotional activities to create accurate demand forecasts.
• Use statistical tools and software to generate and maintain short-term and long-term demand plans.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Finance to incorporate business insights into the forecast.
• Track and improve forecast accuracy using KPIs and root cause analysis.
• Support the new product introduction (NPI) and end-of-life (EOL) planning with appropriate forecasting.
• Support to maintain the product setup and data integrity.

Supply Planning:

• Translate demand forecasts into supply plans, considering capacity constraints, lead times, inventory targets, and supplier capabilities.
• Coordinate with procurement, manufacturing, and logistics to ensure timely product availability.
• Monitor inventory levels and recommend actions to optimize stock levels and avoid overstock/stockout scenarios.
• Analyze supply chain disruptions and propose mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with suppliers and internal teams to track order fulfillment and adjust supply plans accordingly.

S&OP Process Support:

• Participate in monthly SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning) meetings.
• Prepare and present forecast and supply data to support decision-making.
• Recommend planning adjustments based on changes in demand, capacity, or supply chain constraints.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field.
• 2–5 years of experience in demand planning, supply planning, or integrated business planning.
• Proficiency in forecasting and planning tools (e.g., Netstock, SAP IBP, Oracle, Kinaxis, Anaplan, Excel).
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Solid understanding of supply chain processes and inventory management principles.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills across departments.
• Experience with ERP systems (Microsoft D365, Netstock, SAP, Oracle, etc.) and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau) is a plus

Key Competencies:

• Analytical and data-driven mindset
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Strategic thinking and problem solving
• Adaptability to changing business needs
• Results-oriented and proactive