Demand Planner
Kraft Heinz · Alajuela
Job Description
We are looking for a Demand Planning Specialist to lead and strengthen the demand planning process across the region, ensuring disciplined execution of the Integrated Tactical Planning (ITP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) cycles.
This role will connect short-term commercial and operational decisions with the mid- and long-term business plan, working closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Planning, Customer Logistics and other key stakeholders.
A critical component of the position is the ownership and continuous improvement of the statistical demand baseline, leveraging planning tools such as o9 and SAP to improve forecast quality, product availability and inventory performance.
Key Responsibilities
ITP & IBP Process Ownership
- Coordinate and drive the weekly ITP and monthly IBP planning cycles.
- Ensure alignment between short-term demand decisions and mid- and long-term business plans.
- Partner cross-functionally with Commercial, Marketing, Finance, Supply Planning and Customer Logistics teams.
- Identify opportunities to continuously improve planning routines, governance and execution.
Demand Planning & Statistical Forecasting
- Build, maintain and continuously improve the statistical demand baseline.
- Analyze demand patterns, sales trends and business inputs to improve forecast accuracy and reduce bias.
- Translate data into actionable insights that support commercial and supply chain decision-making.
- Monitor key demand planning KPIs, including Forecast Accuracy, BIAS, inventory and service levels.
Planning Systems: o9 & SAP
- Act as a key specialist for demand planning tools, particularly o9 and SAP.
- Configure and maintain demand-planning parameters, master data and statistical forecasting models.
- Troubleshoot system or data issues impacting the demand baseline.
- Partner with IT/Digital and global planning teams to improve system effectiveness and data integrity.
Risk & Inventory Management
- Identify potential demand and supply risks and support the development of mitigation plans.
- Monitor market trends, sales performance, inventory health and other factors that may affect demand.
- Support initiatives to reduce supply chain losses and optimize inventory.
- Drive visibility and escalation of risks that could impact service levels or business performance.
Regional Forecast Collaboration
- Share and align demand forecasts with regional and international finished-goods supply sources.
- Maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders to support product availability and service levels.
Continuous Improvement
- Support the implementation of demand planning, waste management, standardization and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve planning discipline and enhance decision-making through data.
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field.
- 3–5 years of experience in Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Forecasting or similar roles.
- Solid knowledge and practical experience with IBP, ITP and/or S&OP processes.
- Strong experience with statistical forecasting and demand planning techniques.
- Hands-on knowledge of o9 for statistical forecasting, baseline configuration and/or master data management.
- Experience working with SAP planning solutions, such as APO or IBP.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Excel and Power BI.
- Ability to translate complex data into clear business insights and recommendations.
- Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to work across Commercial, Finance and Supply Chain teams.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple planning cycles and priorities simultaneously.
- Fluent English and Spanish.
- Supply Chain certification is considered a plus
Location(s)
Alajuela, Costa RicaKraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes.