Demand Planning Manager

Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits that Stir the World. Rooted in two centuries of family heritage, Beam Suntory has evolved into the world's third largest leading premium spirits company ... where each employee is treated like family and trusted with legacy. With our greatest assets - our premium spirits and our people - we're driving growth through impactful marketing, innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. Beam Suntory is a place where you can come Unleash your Spirit by making an impact each and every day.

The following position is open in Chicago, IL., - Demand Planning Manager

What makes this a great opportunity?

As a world leader in premium spirits, Beam Suntory inspires human connections. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company's brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker's Mark Bourbon brands, Suntory Whisky Kakubin and Courvoisier Cognac, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek, Basil Hayden's and Legent Bourbon; Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Toki Japanese Whisky; Teacher's, Laphroaig and Bowmore Scotch Whisky; Canadian Club Whisky; Hornitos and Sauza Tequila; EFFEN, Haku and Pinnacle Vodka; and Sipsmith and Roku Gin. 

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and vision of Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. Our culture is anchored deeply in a set of core values, including our East-Meets-West Culture, Yatte Minahare spirit, Giving Back to Society, Delighting Consumers, responsibly and Embracing Diversity & Inclusion

Role Responsibilities

Beam Suntory has committed to a 5-stage Global Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) Process to support the new Brand House Operating model.  The S&OP Process is an enterprise-wide integrated business planning process (IBP) for Beam Suntory to manage the delivery of its business goals and commitments over the 3-year strategic planning process.  The Manager, Demand Planning position is a critical role in Beam Suntory’s commitment to the S&OP process to achieve our growth ambitions and financial goals over the 3-year strategic planning horizon.  This position is essential in managing the long term and short-term forecasting process for major brands within the Beam Suntory portfolio.  The role will serve as a liaison between cross functional business partners to ensure that all forecasts are accurate and necessary inputs gathered. You will ensure successful fore thought in forecasting and take ownership to drive the business results. 

Key responsibilities include the following:

• Expert Forecasting - You'll be the expert in forecasting by creating, developing, and producing demand forecasts through reviewing historical sales trends and marketing, sales and financial forecasts; preparing forecast data; analyzing assumptions and evaluating forecast results. You'll ensure all process our meet by the cross functional teams, follow and identify forecasting principles, maintain forecasting information in the system.  Works with different functions (e.g., sales, marketing, manufacturing) to manage opportunities and risks, and optimize cash flows. Has experience planning for project-driven, tender-driven or promotion-driven organizations.
• Strategic Partnerships - Team work will be key in this role.  This position will require working closely establishing a strong business partnership with the Commercial Team (Sales / Marketing / Finance / Brand Houses / Supply Chain) on forecasting and analytics.  Collaborating with Commercial Team, you will work to create driver-based forecasting and assumption management delivering long-term strategic plans.  This collaborative planning will be critical in developing recommendations to close gaps and maximize opportunities to ensure delivery of our plans. You will present and make suggestions to other cross functional teams in terms of demand and forecasts for the brands you support.
• End-to-End Decision Making - Builds both formal and informal professional networks. Maintains and extends networks within, across and external to organizational boundaries, including suppliers, partners and customers. Obtains and shares information, ideas and problems. Solicits advice, support, championship, sponsorship and commitment that result in smooth transitions/changes and mutually acceptable solutions in Executive Review meetings.
• Influencing - Communicates ideas or positions in a persuasive manner that builds support, agreement and commitment. Takes actions that directly or indirectly influence others in order to create buy-in, gain trust, motivate actions and win concessions without damaging relationships.
• Demand Planning & Analytics:  Providing the demand planning & analytics, in partnership with Commercial Sales & Marketing for key brands to gain alignment on the latest view of the sales forecast (volume and value) at the monthly Demand Review for the S&OP time horizon.  Leverage business analytics capability and digital technology to transform our demand planning capabilities to driver-based forecasting. 
• Statistical / Consumption Modeling - You'll have an in-depth understanding of statistical forecasting models and variables and will lead best in class statistical modeling.  Analyzing key business performance drivers, demand building blocks, and shipment forecasts will be imperative.  You will utilize root-cause analysis insights to improve forecasts.
• Continuous Improvement:  Leveraging business metrics and KPIs and insights from Global S&OP CoE/BPO regarding best practices and external benchmarks to define improvement opportunities.

This position will report to the Director, US Demand Planning and work directly with the North America Region’s Commercial Leaders.  This position is accountable for the monthly statistical forecast that drive the business in direct partnership with the Sales and Finance. 

Major Interfaces

• NA Marketing Team
• NA Sales Team
• NA Finance Team
• NA Supply Chain Team
• Global Commercialization
• Brand House Leadership Teams

Qualifications & Experience

• 7-10 years of demonstrated operational performance in leading Business Analytics Process for a major Business Unit for a CPG or Spirits company in North America
• Experience with SAP ECC and SAP APO
• Strong knowledge in Digital Technology
• Strong knowledge in S&OP best practices and proven application of these practices
• Demonstrated performance in leading S&OP continuous improvement
• Outstanding capabilities in developing talent
• Demonstrated focus on team goals vs individual accomplishments – “we over me”
• Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Highly collaborative and development of business partnerships
  • Strong verbal and written communications
  • Highly effective conflict resolution
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Exceptional facilitation skills
• Demonstrated flexibility in easily moving between strategic thinking and tactical execution 
• Advanced skills in PowerPoint and Excel 
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Research, Data Science, Supply Chain Management or comparable degree
   

At Beam Suntory, people are our number one priority, and we believe our people grow together in diverse and inclusive environments where their unique insights, experiences and backgrounds are valued and respected. Beam Suntory is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, military veteran status and all other characteristics, attributes or choices protected by law. All recruitment and hiring decisions are based on an applicant’s skills and experience.