MUST BE LOCATED IN THE SACRAMENTO AREA!MUST HAVE ADVANCED EXCEL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WITH POWER BI!Job Title: Demand PlannerJob DescriptionThe Demand Planner supports the end-to-end demand planning process within an Integrated Business Planning (IBP) framework, delivering accurate and actionable forecasts that guide supply chain, commercial, and financial decisions. This role leverages market insights, historical trends, and promotional data to build and maintain rolling demand forecasts, actively participates in monthly demand review cycles, and supports key business initiatives such as new product launches, SKU rationalization, and capacity planning. Working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, IT, and R&D, the Demand Planner helps optimize inventory, service levels, and operational efficiency while driving continuous improvement in IBP processes, analytics, and forecasting capabilities.Responsibilities
- Support the end-to-end demand planning process within the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) framework, developing and maintaining a rolling 024 month operational forecast at the product and location level using the IBP Demand module.
- Analyze multiple demand drivers, including sales plans, syndicated consumption data, distribution changes, shipment history, competitive dynamics, seasonality, and marketing initiatives, to develop an accurate demand plan that reflects true market demand in a CPG or ingredient environment.
- Perform forecast performance analysis, such as MAPE and bias, to identify trends, measure forecast accuracy, and support continuous improvement efforts in demand planning.
- Communicate demand insights, risks, and opportunities clearly to cross-functional stakeholders to support informed, data-driven decision-making.
- Participate in the monthly IBP Pre-Demand Review process to support alignment on a consensus demand signal and ensure clear visibility to underlying assumptions, risks, and opportunities.
- Support preparation for the IBP Integrated Demand Review in partnership with Demand Planning leadership, ensuring robust and well-documented demand inputs.
- Partner with Sales and Commercial Planning to evaluate customer performance, promotional effectiveness, trade events, distribution gains and losses, and SKU lifecycle changes, incorporating these insights into the demand plan.
- Support demand planning activities for key business initiatives, including innovation launches, product transitions, and SKU rationalization, considering pipeline fill, cannibalization, and phase-in/phase-out strategies.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to support financial forecasting cycles, including the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and periodic Latest Estimates (LEs), ensuring alignment between demand plans, revenue expectations, and financial targets.
- Assist with IBP system and process improvements, supporting adoption, standardization, and enhancement of demand planning tools, reporting, and forecasting capabilities.
- Partner with Supply Planning and Operations to translate demand plans into supply requirements, identify potential risks, and support service level and inventory optimization.
- Participate in cross-functional planning meetings, providing demand insights and supporting alignment across Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, IT, and R&D.
- Support and promote a culture of data-driven decision-making, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the demand planning and IBP processes.
- Use SAP/ERP systems to manage planning data, inventory information, and replenishment activities, ensuring accuracy and integrity of planning inputs.
- Work with exports and logistics-related data, including ocean freight, ocean export and import, LTL shipping, and bills of lading (BOL), as they relate to inventory and demand planning.
- Utilize Excel, including pivot tables and data exports, to perform detailed data analysis, reporting, and data entry in support of demand and inventory planning.
- Support inventory control and inventory management activities, including replenishment and schedule planning, to align inventory levels with forecasted demand.
Essential Skills
- At least 3 years of experience in data collection, planning, analysis, reporting, and project leadership.
- Functional knowledge of supply chain processes, including production planning, inventory, and deployment.
- A total of 6 years of experience in production planning, inventory management, and logistics.
- Hands-on experience with demand planning, inventory planning, replenishment, and schedule planning.
- Proficiency with SAP or other ERP systems to support planning, inventory, and purchasing activities.
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, data exports, and accurate data entry.
- Ability to analyze syndicated consumption data, shipment history, and market dynamics to build demand forecasts.
- Experience performing forecast performance analysis, including MAPE and bias, and applying insights to improve forecast accuracy.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data sets and translate them into actionable plans.
- Effective communication skills to present insights, risks, and opportunities to cross-functional stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Operations, IT, and R&D.
- Experience working within an Integrated Business Planning (IBP) or similar planning framework.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent education in a relevant field.
- Experience in a CPG or ingredient manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with IBP demand modules and integrated planning tools.
- Experience supporting Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and Latest Estimate (LE) financial cycles.
- Exposure to SKU lifecycle management, including innovation launches, product transitions, and SKU rationalization.
- Knowledge of logistics processes, including ocean freight, ocean export, ocean import, and LTL shipping, as they relate to inventory and demand planning.
- Experience with inventory control, inventory management, and purchasing within SAP/ERP environments.
- Strong general computer skills and comfort working with multiple systems and data sources.
- Ability to support process standardization and system adoption in planning and forecasting environments.
- Interest in contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making.
Work EnvironmentThis is a full-time role with a standard schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position follows a hybrid work model, with on-site work from Monday through Thursday and the option to work from home on Fridays. The dress code is business casual. The role involves regular collaboration with cross-functional teams and frequent use of SAP/ERP systems, Microsoft Office (especially Excel), and IBP planning tools in a professional office environment. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sacramento, CA. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $35.00 - $46.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sacramento, CA. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Sacramento,CA.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.