Job Title
Demand Planner
Location
Tokyo, Japan
Reporting Line
Demand Planning & S&OP Manager, APAC
Overview
A global premium consumer goods company is seeking a Demand Planner to lead demand planning and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities for the Japan market. This role will be responsible for developing accurate demand forecasts, driving S&OP governance, managing planning systems, and partnering closely with commercial and supply chain teams to support business growth and operational excellence.
The position serves as a key bridge between local business stakeholders and regional supply chain functions, ensuring forecast accuracy, process compliance, and continuous improvement across planning activities.
Key Responsibilities
Demand Planning & Forecast Management
• Lead the end-to-end demand planning process for the Japan market
• Develop and maintain accurate operational demand forecasts to support business planning and supply chain operations
• Collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain stakeholders to align forecasts with commercial objectives
• Analyze demand trends, market dynamics, and business drivers to improve forecast quality
• Ensure demand forecasts provide clear volume outlooks for regional supply chain planning and business decision-making
Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
• Drive the monthly S&OP process and ensure alignment with global and regional planning standards
• Champion S&OP transformation initiatives and continuous improvement projects
• Support organizational change management efforts related to planning processes and tools
• Serve as a key contact for regional supply chain leadership regarding local S&OP activities
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to improve planning effectiveness and decision-making
Forecast Accuracy & Performance Management
• Own forecast accuracy KPIs, including MAPE and BIAS performance metrics
• Monitor forecasting performance and provide analysis, reporting, and recommendations
• Drive continuous improvements in forecast accuracy through process enhancements and stakeholder engagement
• Identify risks and opportunities impacting demand plans and proactively recommend actions
Planning Systems & Process Governance
• Manage demand planning systems and planning templates, including SAP IBP and related planning tools
• Ensure planning systems are properly maintained and utilized across the organization
• Support system administration, data integrity, and issue resolution in partnership with IT teams
• Lead planning system training and user adoption initiatives
Business Integration & Continuous Improvement
• Support planning activities related to acquisitions, new business integrations, customer onboarding, and supply network changes
• Coordinate process improvements and operational enhancements across the planning function
• Establish best practices and improve planning governance standards
• Contribute to inventory policy reviews and demand/supply performance evaluations
Key Stakeholders
• Commercial Leadership Teams
• Sales & Marketing Teams
• Finance (FP&A)
• Local and Regional Supply Planning Teams
• Regional Supply Chain Leadership
• IT and Systems Support Teams
Required Qualifications
• 5–10 years of demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain planning experience within consumer goods, FMCG, beverages, or related industries
• Strong understanding of commercial forecasting methodologies and demand planning principles
• Experience working within formal planning cycles and S&OP frameworks
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills
• Experience managing planning systems and forecasting tools
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functions and stakeholder groups
• Business-level to fluent English communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
• Hands-on experience with SAP IBP Demand Planning
• SAP system experience
• Experience implementing supply chain planning solutions, systems, or process improvements
• APICS certification
• Sales & Operations Planning or Integrated Business Planning certifications (Oliver Wight or similar)
• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Management, or related discipline
Key Competencies
• Demand Planning & Forecasting
• Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
• Forecast Accuracy Management
• Supply Chain Analytics
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Change Management
• Process Improvement
• Stakeholder Management
• Business Systems & Data Governance
Ideal Candidate Profile
• Strong communicator capable of influencing stakeholders across functions and organizational levels
• Able to educate business partners and drive adoption of planning best practices
• Proactive in identifying risks, opportunities, and business impacts
• Strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset
• Comfortable operating in a multicultural and regional business environment
• Collaborative team player with strong problem-solving capabilities
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
• Regional-facing role with significant visibility across commercial and supply chain functions
• Opportunity to lead and shape demand planning and S&OP processes within Japan
• Exposure to senior regional supply chain leadership and business stakeholders
• Strong focus on business transformation, forecasting excellence, and process improvement
• Opportunity to work with advanced planning systems and best-practice supply chain methodologies
• High-impact position supporting business growth, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making across the organization