Director of Demand Planning

Job Title: Director of Demand Planning
Department: Supply Chain
Location: Evanston, IL
Reports To: Vice President of Supply Chain

COMPANY BACKGROUND:

The most important element of our company background is our purpose.  We are a dairy cooperative of cooperatives.  That means that we exist to create value for our cooperatives and the 14,000 Irish family dairy farms they support.  This is central to how we operate, critically important for our employees and what fuels our ambition to win.

With that, Ornua is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy, exporting to over 110 countries with annualised sales of over €3.5 billion.

We are multi-national, operating from 10 business units worldwide and employing over 2,800 staff. Ornua has teams working in-market across all four corners of the globe from Ireland to Africa, US to Asia to Europe.

The business is structured across two core divisions: Ornua Foods and Ornua Ingredients.

Ornua Foods owns the iconic Kerrygold brand, as well as the Pilgrims Choice, Dubliner, Forto and BEO Milk Powder brands.  Our state of the art facility, Kerrygold Park in Ireland, supplies customers with our beloved Kerrygold branded products.

Ornua Ingredients supplies superior quality dairy ingredients to leading global food manufacturers from some of the world’s most technically advanced manufacturing and prepacking facilities located in Africa, China, Ireland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the UK and the US.

Ornua Foods Americas is headquartered in Evanston, IL with additional teams located throughout the US.  The consumer foods product portfolio is spread across butter, cheese and powders.

The Americas division is a powerhouse within Ornua, with an iconic and beloved brand and a highly-engaged, highly inclusive, and high-performing team that, together, have delivered double-digit, profitable growth for the business over the last twenty years.

At Ornua, our Values lie at the core of everything that we do and how we behave both individually and as a business. Our five values, and their underlying behaviours, encourage us to Seek and Embrace New Ideas, Make It Happen, Be Our True Selves, Show You Care and Achieve Great Things Together. 

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled and strategic Director of Demand Planning to lead and enhance our demand planning processes at Ornua Foods North America, a leading Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) company. This role is pivotal in driving collaboration across Sales, Marketing, and Finance to deliver accurate forecasts and ensure alignment with business objectives. The Director of Demand Planning will play a key role in building a best-in-class demand planning function that enables data-driven decision-making and supports our growth ambitions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Process Leadership:
   • Design, implement, and continuously improve a robust demand planning process that integrates inputs from Sales, Marketing, and Finance and Supply Chain.
   • Develop a systematic approach to ensure the accuracy and reliability of forecasts across all product categories and formats.
   • Lead Monthly local S&OP Meeting and Monthly Demand Review with Global Senior Leadership.

2. Collaboration and Alignment:
   • Partner with Sales and Category teams to capture insights on customer behavior, promotional plans, and market trends.
   • Collaborate with Marketing and PMO teams to integrate new product launches, campaigns, and brand strategies into demand forecasts.
   • Work closely with Finance to align forecasts with financial planning and budgeting processes.
3. Forecasting Excellence:
   • Utilize advanced analytics and tools to generate accurate short-term and long-term demand forecasts.
   • Monitor forecast accuracy metrics and implement corrective actions to improve performance.
   • Ensure forecasts are aligned with inventory, production, and supply chain capacity planning.
4. Data-Driven Decision Making:
   • Leverage data analytics to identify demand trends, risks, and opportunities.
   • Present actionable insights to senior leadership to support strategic decision-making.
5. Team Leadership:
   • Build and lead a high-performing demand planning team, providing coaching, mentorship, and development opportunities.
   • Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability within the team.
6. Technology and Tools:
   • Drive further implementation and optimization of Demand + (Infor) forecasting tool.
   • Stay informed of industry trends and innovations to ensure the company leverages cutting-edge solutions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Statistics, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in demand planning, supply chain, or related roles within the CPG industry.
• Proven track record of designing and implementing demand planning processes and tools.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in demand planning software (e.g., SAP IBP, APO, Anaplan) and data visualization tools.
• Exceptional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience leading and developing teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Knowledge of market trends, consumer behavior, and the CPG industry’s unique challenges.

Total Rewards at Ornua Foods Americas will include a competitive salary and annual bonus. The following are some of the benefits you can avail of: Healthcare; Pension; Paid Time Off; Maternity Leave; Flexible working; Fitness Reimbursement; Charity Donation; Complimentary Kerrygold products; Free car parking and secure bicycle storage; Free healthy snacks and drinks in the office; Reward & Recognition program; Volunteering opportunities; Long Service Awards. The salary range for this role starts from $120k, the successful candidate will be offered within the range depending on experience.

Ornua is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants must be authorized to work for in the U.S.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS: Friday 2/14/2025

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