Demand Planner, APO

Reporting to the APO (Asia/Pacific/Oceania) Deployment Planning Manager, the Demand Planner, APO role is a pivotal part of our organization to support the growth of IDEXX’s CAG line of business, incorporating both Instrument and Consumables forecasting and inventory management. Collaborative forecasting with our Commercial regional teams, to understand the varying demand dynamics is a key component to ensure our products get to the right place, at the right time, with the right volumes, resulting in seamless availability to our customers. You will drive engagement and consensus through articulate, credible communication and networking. Your forecasts will drive global production signals whilst ensuring correct inventory deployment across the APO countries.

This is a dynamic and unique role within the IDEXX Global Planning Team requiring initiative, self-motivation, flexibility, and the ability to proactively grow inter-departmental and cross-functional relationships.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain Demand Planning data in our Integrated Business Planning Tool (IBP) to drive transfer of forecasts into supply planning systems for CAG Instruments (both New and QC) and Consumables.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to support the end-to-end planning process, by being the line of business interface to supply chain, integrating all sources of demand.
• Create and run predictive models to perform statistical analysis of historical data combined with business intelligence to generate 12-60 month unconstrained consensus forecasts by region and IDEXX warehouse location.
• Lead cross-functional supply/demand planning meetings to align on consensus forecast and regional supply plans.
• Work closely with the APO Deployment Team and US Supply Planners to ensure forecasts are accurately maintained to drive correct signals through SCM.
• Collaborate closely with the Americas & Europe Demand Planner, ensuring a standardized approach to reporting as well as sharing demand behaviors and trend across the different regions.
• Prepare and present forecast review to management as required.
• Provide demand variability data and risk to appropriate stakeholders.
• Track and communicate forecast accuracy KPI to key business partners, applying where necessary to help shape future demand trends and/or seasonality.
• Manage New Production Introductions (NPI) in alignment with global and regional Marketing launch plans and US Supply Planning.
• Participate on specific projects as required.
• Support and function as back-up where necessary, across the Global Demand Planning and Deployment team.
• Management of scrap/expiring stock where required.
• Develop and continuously improve and strengthen business processes, staying current with best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, mathematics, statistics, or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:

• 5+ years’ experience in forecasting/supply planning within a manufacturing environment.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of sales forecasting, demand planning and manufacturing capacity management.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written; ability to communicate and present to all levels of the organization in English.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate with and facilitate cross-functional teams involving multiple competing tasks and goals.
• Ability to analyze data to summarize and recommend action plans/strategies.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to multi-task and be flexible in terms of how the business develops and the subsequent operational requirements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint).
• SAP and IBP knowledge is an advantage.