A demand planner is a professional who works toward a variety of objectives and manages various aspects of product inventory, supply chain statistics, and general demand for goods and services. Demand planners are frequently employed in product-driven industries such as retail or manufacturing. They frequently work on “product fulfillment” or other strategic plans centered on the supply and demand issue.
The demand planner will interact with multiple departments within a company on a regular basis. This person may meet with departments such as sales and marketing, as well as engineering and warehousing, to develop effective top-level plans for meeting demand or accommodating customers. In general, the demand planning professional serves as a company-wide catalyst for process improvement or efficiency, with a focus on overall product and service demand.
One of the most important qualities that companies look for in a demand planner is what is known as “forecasting.” What companies want from a demand planner has a prophetic element to it in some ways. This professional frequently prepares reports and other resources on future demand, combining historical and current data to forecast what will happen in terms of supply and demand for company products.
The demand planning professional may use a variety of sources of information to achieve a variety of professional goals and tasks. Some information about a supply chain comes from within the company, in the form of inventory reports and how quickly products are moving. Outside information from analysts or consultants may also be used demand planners to develop future demand reports.
A demand planning professional may be involved in working with a company’s software architecture in addition to the cross-functional research that helps them forecast inventory needs. Some software applications can assist demand planners in entering data into supply chain or logistics applications. Other software tools are essential in developing the types of projections that company management will seek. This is why having a basic understanding of IT is beneficial in this field.
Many experts point out that a demand planner’s skills include not only technical knowledge, but also a variety of hands-on product development approaches. The demand planner may need to travel to physical locations to gain a better understanding of product or material movements, as well as other supply chain events. Degrees or qualifications in logistics or supply-chain management may assist the demand planner in demonstrating his or her relevant skills to a potential employer.