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Description
Central Garden & Pet Company, a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet, lawn and garden supplies markets, is seeking
Senior
Demand Planning Manager to join our Central Specialty Pet business unit located in Franklin, WI.
The Senior Demand Planning Manager leads the Demand Planning function for the Central Specialty Pet business unit, overseeing a team of demand planning professionals and owning the strategic direction, execution, and continuous improvement of the demand planning process. This position ensures accurate, data-driven forecasts to meet sales, inventory, and service objectives while fostering cross-functional alignment with Supply Chain, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Customer Support. This leadership role requires a proven ability to build and manage high-performing teams, drive strategic initiatives, and deliver results at both operational and executive levels.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Leadership & Team Management
- Directly manage the Demand Planning team, including recruitment, training, performance management, and professional development.
- Establish department objectives, priorities, and KPIs, ensuring alignment with overall business goals.
- Coach and mentor demand planning personnel to strengthen analytical capabilities, process knowledge, and cross-functional influence.
- Promote a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on accountability, continuous learning, and innovation.
Strategic Forecasting & Demand Planning
- Lead the creation and execution of demand plans that meet requirements at customer, production site, and distribution levels.
- Oversee the analysis of historical sales, market trends, seasonality, promotions, and POS/inventory data from tier 1 accounts to develop robust forecasts.
- Implement and refine advanced statistical models and forecasting tools, ensuring adaptability to changes in demand and market conditions.
- Approve and monitor inventory targets, balancing service-level objectives with working capital goals.
Cross-Functional & Executive Collaboration
- Chair monthly Demand Reviews with business leadership teams, presenting strategic insights on sales forecasts, inventory health, and supply constraints.
- Partner with Marketing and Sales to forecast the impact of brand transitions, new product launches, and promotional initiatives.
- Serve as a key contributor in monthly S&OP meetings with senior management, presenting data-driven recommendations and risk assessments.
- Drive consensus between Demand Planning, Purchasing, Operations, and Commercial teams, resolving conflicts and aligning priorities.
Process Improvement & Governance
- Own the evolution, documentation, and governance of Demand Planning and S&OP processes, ensuring standardization and best practice adoption.
- Identify, recommend, and lead SKU rationalization initiatives to optimize product portfolio efficiency.
- Monitor, measure, and report department performance through KPIs such as:
- Forecast Accuracy
- Production Schedule Adherence
- Volume Completion Rates
- Inventory Valuation Metrics
- Service Levels
Operational Excellence
- Lead initiatives to improve forecasting accuracy, reduce excess inventory, and minimize obsolescence risk.
- Oversee end-of-life product management and absolute inventory disposition strategies.
- Ensure that demand planning processes and systems are continuously enhanced to support evolving business needs.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Finance, Mathematics, or related discipline.
- 7+ years of progressive experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain management
- Proven track record of leading cross-functional initiatives and delivering measurable business results.
- Expertise with DRP/MRP systems and advanced forecasting tools.
- Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
- Experience managing complex product portfolios, including end-of-life cycle strategies.
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
BENEFITS PACKAGE & EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Free Life and Disability Insurance
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401k with 3% company match and discretionary annual contribution
- Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time
- Employee Assistance Program
- Access to thousands of free online courses
- Discounts on cell phones, movie tickets, gym memberships, and more!
- Education Assistance (both college degrees and professional certifications)
- Referral Program with cash bonus
- Access to on-demand pay
- Paid parental leave
ABOUT USCentral Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT), (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands that home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2024 net sales of $3.2 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Company's innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro
, Aqueon
, Cadet
, C&S
, Farnam
, Ferry-Morse
, Four Paws
, Kaytee
, Nylabone
and Pennington
, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California, with 6,450 employees primarily across North America. Visit
www.central.comto learn more.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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Central Garden & Pet
vision insurance, parental leave, sick time, 401(k)
Aug 15, 2025