Demand Planner, North America (Finance)

Job Description:

Changing the World, One Kibble at a Time

Champion Petfoods is expanding! We are excited to announce we are looking for a North America Demand Planner to join our rapidly growing company.

Champion Petfoods is an award-winning pet food crafter with a reputation of trust spanning 35+ years. From our humble beginnings, founded in a small town in Alberta, Canada, Champion - with its ORIJEN® and ACANA® brands - is a key player in the global premium pet food industry.

Our purpose, To Earn Pet Lover Trust Every Day so Pets Thrive for a Lifetime ,provides the foundation for our highest aspirations as a company. Being a partner to the communities that surround us - and the environment that sustains us - are top priorities.

We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about personal and professional growth and see yourself as a key player contributing to our continued success as an award-winning company.

Here's the scoop - Summary

The North America Demand Planner has primary responsibility for generating forecasts and target metrics using sales orders, distributor inventories, customer and sales input, and historical data in a timely and accurate manner. This individual maintains demand plans while monitoring sales volumes to ensure product availability and communicates results effectively to internal and external stakeholders.

This role upholds the company's forecasting standards, ensuring distributor partners understand and adhere to corporate forecasting procedures. The position is based in our Boulder, Colorado office and reports to the North America Supply Chain Director.

This role supports company initiatives to meet the goals of our BAFRINO principles and Champion Petfoods' vision "to be trusted by pet lovers everywhere."

What a typical day looks like

• Collaborate with Regional Sales teams to generate a periodic regional forecast and longer-term forecast.
• Generate volumetric budget plans using sales history, and inputs from Marketing and Sales.
• Maintain accurate documentation and operating procedures for demand processes.
• Track and improve forecast accuracy using key performance indicators (e.g., MAPE, bias) and statistical analysis tools.
• Review velocity against projected forecasts, highlighting known variances, and implement corrective actions.
• Support forecasting for new product introductions, ensuring early inputs are aligned with market and sales expectations.
• Develop analytic reporting systems, including statistical forecasting reports with commentary.
• Examine distributor inventory levels with diverse internal teams and compare against demand signals.
• Lead recurring collection and analysis of distributor inventory data, including commentary and insights.
• Use SQL and demand planning software to model and refine forecasts.
• Determine best practices and suggest improvements to current forecasting practices and tools.
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with relevant corporate departments and distributor partners.
• Participate in monthly Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes to align demand plans with supply, finance, and business strategies.
• Coordinate systematic solutions, enhancements, and efficiencies to streamline the Company's forecasting processes for all stakeholders.
• Develop and execute business strategies and processes alongside Commercial and Supply Chain teams that drive efficiencies and process improvements.
• Monitor sales performance vs. forecast, lead root cause investigations, and collaborate cross-functionally to implement corrective actions
• Supply and participate in relevant Supply Chain meetings with updated forecasts and inventory insights. Promote awareness and understanding of corporate policies regarding health, safety, and environmental practices; ensure personal and team compliance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across demand planning processes.

What you'll bring

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Statistics, Economics, or related field. Certifications such as APICS CPIM/CSCP or IBF CPF are considered strong assets.
• 8+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or related supply chain roles.
• Proven track record of improving forecast accuracy and driving cross-functional alignment.
• Experience supporting new product launches and participating in S&OP processes.
• Advanced skills in SQL and Excel (e.g., PivotTables, Power Query); experience with planning systems such as SAP IBP, OPM, o9, or NetSuite.
• Proficiency in BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) and statistical forecasting methods.
• Strong interpersonal, project management, and communication skills, with experience leading meetings and presenting to leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to proactively solve problems, apply critical thinking, and lead root cause analysis.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, dynamic environments with shifting priorities.
• Willingness to travel occasionally and work extended hours as needed.

What can you expect from Champion?

• Safety:A strong commitment to ensure all people are provided with a safe, healthy and respectful environment.
• Earnings: $100,000-$115,000 USD a nnual salary, annual bonus eligibility, and 401k with company matching.
• Industry Competitive Benefits:Medical, dental, vision and employee assistance programs to meet your individual or family needs.
• Continuing Education:In house & online learning & development, as well as an education assistance program.
• Quality:a dedication to uphold the highest standards of authenticity, nutritional integrity, and food safety, to earn the trust of Pet Lovers everywhere.
• Other Perks:Free bag of premium pet food each month.

What are you waiting for? Join the pack!

Come as you are.

We value diversity in all forms and know the power it can bring. Workplace equality allows for creative ideas to bloom, diverse points of views to be heard, and increases overall happiness. That sounds pretty good to us.

Champion is an equal opportunity employer. Regardless of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other creed, you are wanted here.

#cpfind

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between the range listed above, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.The total compensation package for this position mayalso include other elements, if eligible, including variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Eligibility for these additional elements depend on the position offeredand the employee's work schedule (i.e., part-time schedule, store associate). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.