The Watkins Company
Overview
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Demand Planning Manager
role at
The Watkins Company The Watkins Company has been a pioneer in natural flavoring products since 1868. From our world famous Vanilla Extract, to our unique Cinnamon and Black Pepper, The Watkins Company continues to be innovative in categories including but not limited to Extracts, Spices, Dry Seasoning Mixes, Bitters, and Baking Decorations. Today, we are seeking a new member to join the fastest growing flavoring company. The Watkins Company has an opening for a Full Time, Demand Planning Manager in our Winona, Minnesota location. The Demand Planning Manager partners closely with the Supply Chain Director and cross-functional teams—including Sales, Marketing, and Operations—to develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-channel, and multi-warehouse forecasting strategy. This role oversees production planning, scheduling, and inventory management to ensure accurate forecasts, efficient operations, and on-time product availability across all customer channels. The manager also drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance forecast accuracy, service levels, and overall supply chain performance.
Responsibilities
Collaborates with Sales and Marketing to improve forecast accuracy, support effective new product launches, and identify opportunities for product retirement or SKU rationalization.
Builds and maintains strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders to drive optimal service levels, supply chain efficiency, and positive business outcomes.
Leads a consensus forecasting process that achieves sufficient accuracy and granularity to serve as the foundation for resource planning of materials, labor, and equipment.
Directs the planning team to coordinate manufacturing requirements that satisfy customer orders for all products, with consideration for quality, cost, and on-time delivery.
Manages relationships with external co-manufacturers, third-party logistics providers, and consolidators to ensure alignment with company objectives.
Utilizes tools, processes, and analytics to compile, track, and oversee inventory forecasts across all accounts and channels; publishes accuracy reviews and related reports as needed.
Oversees optimization models to manage inventory allocation, distribution orders, and overall relationships with third-party warehousing partners.
Drives strategic and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure the department remains aligned with—or ahead of—industry standards.
Provides oversight and direction to the department and employees in the operating unit in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures; coaches, mentors, and develop staff, including selection, orientation, and training of new employees.
Qualifications
Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or other related degree.
5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment focusing on forecasting, demand planning or supply chain management. Experience in consumer goods is preferred.
3+ years of experience leading a team within a forecasting/planning environment.
Demonstrate intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Benefits In addition to working in a strategic, dynamic and collaborative work environment, with a tight knit team, The Watkins Company offers a competitive benefits package including best in class Medical, Dental, Life and AD&D Insurance, 100% employer paid leave, as well as a flexible working environment, generous PTO package available upon hire, 10 fully paid holidays, and a $1 for $1 401k match program.
Equal Opportunity The Watkins Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #LI-Hybrid
Location: Winona, Minnesota
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Join to apply for the
Demand Planning Manager
role at
The Watkins Company The Watkins Company has been a pioneer in natural flavoring products since 1868. From our world famous Vanilla Extract, to our unique Cinnamon and Black Pepper, The Watkins Company continues to be innovative in categories including but not limited to Extracts, Spices, Dry Seasoning Mixes, Bitters, and Baking Decorations. Today, we are seeking a new member to join the fastest growing flavoring company. The Watkins Company has an opening for a Full Time, Demand Planning Manager in our Winona, Minnesota location. The Demand Planning Manager partners closely with the Supply Chain Director and cross-functional teams—including Sales, Marketing, and Operations—to develop and execute a comprehensive, multi-channel, and multi-warehouse forecasting strategy. This role oversees production planning, scheduling, and inventory management to ensure accurate forecasts, efficient operations, and on-time product availability across all customer channels. The manager also drives continuous improvement initiatives to enhance forecast accuracy, service levels, and overall supply chain performance.
Responsibilities
Collaborates with Sales and Marketing to improve forecast accuracy, support effective new product launches, and identify opportunities for product retirement or SKU rationalization.
Builds and maintains strong relationships with customers and internal stakeholders to drive optimal service levels, supply chain efficiency, and positive business outcomes.
Leads a consensus forecasting process that achieves sufficient accuracy and granularity to serve as the foundation for resource planning of materials, labor, and equipment.
Directs the planning team to coordinate manufacturing requirements that satisfy customer orders for all products, with consideration for quality, cost, and on-time delivery.
Manages relationships with external co-manufacturers, third-party logistics providers, and consolidators to ensure alignment with company objectives.
Utilizes tools, processes, and analytics to compile, track, and oversee inventory forecasts across all accounts and channels; publishes accuracy reviews and related reports as needed.
Oversees optimization models to manage inventory allocation, distribution orders, and overall relationships with third-party warehousing partners.
Drives strategic and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure the department remains aligned with—or ahead of—industry standards.
Provides oversight and direction to the department and employees in the operating unit in accordance with the organization’s policies and procedures; coaches, mentors, and develop staff, including selection, orientation, and training of new employees.
Qualifications
Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or other related degree.
5+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment focusing on forecasting, demand planning or supply chain management. Experience in consumer goods is preferred.
3+ years of experience leading a team within a forecasting/planning environment.
Demonstrate intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Benefits In addition to working in a strategic, dynamic and collaborative work environment, with a tight knit team, The Watkins Company offers a competitive benefits package including best in class Medical, Dental, Life and AD&D Insurance, 100% employer paid leave, as well as a flexible working environment, generous PTO package available upon hire, 10 fully paid holidays, and a $1 for $1 401k match program.
Equal Opportunity The Watkins Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. #LI-Hybrid
Location: Winona, Minnesota
#J-18808-Ljbffr