ORGANIZATION SUMMARY:
Wakefield Canada Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company that markets, distributes, and manufactures category-leading products for the automotive, commercial heavy-duty, and industrial markets including Castrol, the #1 brand of passenger car motor oil in Canada, and the “Super Clean” cleaner-degreaser brand.

In 2020, Wakefield celebrated its 15th anniversary as the exclusive Canadian marketer of Castrol lubricants. With coast-to-coast distribution and warehousing, and a large dedicated sales force, Wakefield provides exceptional service and innovative solutions to more than 5,000 customers in all segments, including retailers, warehouse distributors, automotive and heavy-duty jobbers, franchised and independent installers, quick lubes, fleet companies, new car dealers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).

Wakefield Canada Inc. is recognized as a Platinum Member with Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. This accomplishment puts Wakefield amongst the best-in-class of Canadian-owned and managed companies, demonstrating clear strategy and vision, capability, and commitment to talent.

JOB SUMMARY:
The Senior Demand Planner is responsible for the analysis of market and sales data across the organization, and based on historical data points plus stakeholder input, provides an accurate demand and supply forecast across various lines of business. This role is critical in ensuring effective planning for inventory management across the Canadian distribution and warehousing network.
In addition, the Senior Demand Planner will focus on the development and reporting of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), standardizing Sales and Operations Planning processes and optimizing forecasting tools, and developing robust documentation. The incumbent will work closely with the Planning, Distribution, Finance, and Sales teams, as well as with vendors.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead the development and publication of key performance indicators, as it relates to demand planning
• Detect variations in forecasted performance vs. actual and trending variations, seek resolutions with respective stakeholders.
• Establish and manage standardized reporting and dashboards
• Provide analytical insight for further process improvement opportunities
• Lead Sales & Operations Planning Process (S&OP) and Collaborative Planning Forecasting & Replenishment Process (CPFR) current state/future state mapping sessions
• Engage cross-functional partners to ensure alignment on S&OP and CPFR process changes
• Establish sustainability plans and ensure sign off from key stakeholders on changes and implementations
• Lead Monthly S&OP and CPFR meetings, gathering market insights from various internal groups (Retail Sales, NCD Sales, RSM’s, Marketing and key accounts)
• Maintain and fine-tune Forecasting Models to ensure models fit with market trends, judgment events, and sales input
• Responsible for maintaining and supporting stocking policies, new product launches, product or account transitions
• Work collaboratively with Planning Team and extended contacts to ensure forecasting requirements are met.
• Provide ad hoc forecasts, sales and prepare archive reports as requested to assist management decision-making process

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Problem resolution capabilities with strong analytical skills, detail orientation, and a high degree of accuracy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with employees at all levels of the organization.
• A multi-tasker, capable of working in a dynamic environment where managing and prioritizing multiple demands is essential.
• Must have a strong working knowledge of MS Excel, MS Access.
• SQL Database and MS Dynamics AX knowledge is a strong asset.
• Power BI and Forecast Pro knowledge is a strong asset.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• University or College degree in Supply Chain, Business or Industrial Engineering
• Supply Chain Management Association (SCMA) designation an asset
• Certified Professional Forecaster (CPF/ACPF) designation an asset
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) designation an asset
• 5+ years of Supply Chain experience (Supply Planning, Materials Planning, Production Planning, Demand Planning)
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems – Microsoft Dynamics an asset
• Strong understanding of supply chain processes and their interrelationships with other functional areas
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel (e.g., Pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate well at all levels of the organization