Director, Demand Planning

**Position Summary**:
Director of Demand Planning will play a pivotal role in overseeing the demand planning function, reporting directly to the Vice President of Supply Planning. Responsibilities encompass leading the demand forecasting process, facilitating organization-wide Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes, and meticulously tracking performance metrics. This role demands a visionary leader with a keen strategic mindset, analytical acumen, and a passion for driving operational excellence in demand planning.
This would be a contract role for 12 months.

**Key Accountabilities**:

- Leadership in Demand Forecasting: Serve as the primary authority in demand forecasting, leveraging industry insights, historical data, and market trends to develop accurate forecasts that drive strategic decision-making.
- Team Leadership and Development: Lead a team of demand planning professionals, providing guidance, setting clear objectives, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement, and ensuring alignment with company goals.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Forge strong partnerships with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Finance departments, facilitating regular communication and collaboration to integrate demand planning activities seamlessly across the organization.
- Driving Demand Planning Excellence: Develop and execute strategies to enhance sales forecast accuracy, optimize inventory levels, and streamline supply chain operations. Continuously assess and adopt best practices to elevate demand planning processes.
- S&OP Process Improvement: Lead the refinement and enhancement of the S&OP process, ensuring effective communication and alignment between key stakeholders, driving consensus on demand and supply plans, and facilitating decision-making to maximize operational efficiency.
- Performance Measurement and Reporting: Develop robust performance metrics and reporting mechanisms to monitor demand planning KPIs. Analyze performance data to identify areas for improvement and drive initiatives to enhance forecasting accuracy and demand fulfillment.
- Forecast Analysis and Risk Management: Conduct comprehensive analysis of forecast variations, market dynamics, and demand drivers. Proactively identify risks and opportunities, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
- Issue Identification and Resolution: Identify potential demand-related issues, such as supply constraints or fluctuations in customer demand, and collaborate with Sales and other relevant departments to develop actionable solutions that ensure continuity of supply and service.

**Requirements**:

- Experience: Possess a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in supply chain planning, with at least 2 years in a leadership capacity. Demonstrated expertise in Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) or Integrated Business Planning (IBP) is essential.
- Leadership Skills: Exhibit strong leadership qualities, including the ability to thrive in high-pressure environments, inspire and motivate teams, and effectively navigate organizational change.
- Education: Hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Additional certifications or professional qualifications in supply chain management are desirable.
- Collaboration: Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to build and nurture relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, fostering a culture of teamwork and cooperation.
- Customer Service Orientation: Maintain a steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, both internally and externally, with a keen focus on meeting and exceeding customer expectations.

Sofina Foods Inc. is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (‘AODA’). Applicants are asked to make their needs/requirements, for the purpose of accommodation under AODA, known to Human Resources when they are contacted for an interview.