Regional Business Unit Planner

About the Position

Festo inspires people and organizations around the world with innovative solutions for industrial automation. We are an independent family business and offer more than 20,000 employees the opportunity to take bold steps, realize their ideas, and take on responsibility. As a team, we grow by tackling challenges together and we welcome everyone who wants to move the world with us.

Regional Business Unit Planner

Location: Mason, United States

Employment Type: Full Time

Department: Supply Chain Management & Logistics

Company: Festo Corporation

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Responsibilities

• Demand Planning Leadership: Lead and continuously improve the demand planning processes by fostering strong collaboration across Sales, PMM, and HQ BU Management team.
• Forecast Integration: Integrate short and long-term forecasts based on roundtables, market trends, historical patterns, promotional activities, and corporate strategy.
• Forecast Accuracy: Aim to maximize forecast accuracy and minimize bias, adding value to the planning process.
• Monitoring and Analysis: Regularly monitor the business and proactively analyze any deviation from the forecast.
• KMAT Planning and Capacity Evaluation: Own KMAT Planning and Capacity evaluation of the Value Stream associated with the Business Unit.
• Material Planning: Responsible for the correct planning of configurable materials and their components, working with the Procurement Team and Inventory Analyst in the appropriate stocking strategy.
• Capacity and FTEs Management: Lead the tDCA and RCCP process to ensure the correct capacity and FTEs to satisfy the demand by minimizing the cost.
• CUP2 Process: Active role in the CUP2 process, support Operations projects and participate in Phase in and Phase Process.
• Advanced Planning Tools: Operate advanced planning tool Maestro to generate accurate forecasts across product families.
• SNP Tasks: Responsible for regular SNP tasks associated with KMAT planning.
• Component Planning: Component planning of the first stockable level to ensure material availability for production.
• Documentation and Training: Maintain process documentation and training materials, contributing to knowledge sharing and standardization.
• AI and Analytics: Incorporate AI tools for market insights, based on economic situation, customers' expectations, commodities, GDP, and competitors.
• System Optimization: Optimize the use of planning system Maestro, identifying opportunities and promoting adoption of new functionalities across teams.
• Feedback and Improvement: Be open-minded and share constructive feedback for improvement with the Process Team in HQ.
• Change Management: Support corporate change management and cultural change.
• Continuous Improvement: Continuous improvement in local and global processes.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Facilitate cross-functional alignment by leading regular monthly forecast consensus meetings with Sales, PMMs, and Supply Chain teams.
• Communication Bridge: Act as a central communication bridge between Procurement, HQ BU planning, Production, and customer-facing teams.
• Roundtables: Collaborate closely via Roundtables with Sales teams to gather market insights, promotional input, and customer expectations.
• Global Coordination: Coordinate with global and regional planning hubs, ensuring integrated information flow through the system.
• Reporting: Provide forecast-related insights and reports to Management and other departments.
• Transparency and Accountability: Facilitate transparency and accountability in planning processes by sharing forecast performance KPIs, risks, and mitigation actions with all relevant stakeholders.
• Knowledge Sharing: Support business partners by sharing knowledge, best practices, and tools that enhance planning effectiveness and analytical thinking.
• Leadership: Demonstrate planning leadership in cross-departmental projects, acting as the key demand planning voice in business decisions, new product launches, and strategic planning platforms.
• Motivation and Engagement: Support alignment and motivation across teams by effectively communicating the impact of planning accuracy on business performance and customer satisfaction.
• Influence: Build influence without authority, driving engagement and alignment across multiple stakeholders.

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Requirements

• Education: Bachelor and/or master’s degree in business administration, Economics, or Engineering.
• Certification: APICS certification is a plus.
• Experience: 3-5 years of relevant business experience necessary.
• Skills:
  • Proficiency in supply chain planning tools and software (e.g., SAP, Rapid Response Maestro, or comparable).
  • Expertise in Sales & Operations Planning.
  • Strong knowledge in processes like Procurement, Production Planning & Scheduling.
  • Basic knowledge of Sales and Order Management.
  • Advanced knowledge of MS Office and Analysis for Office (AO).
  • Implementation (Hands-On) skills.
  • Motivational, Inspirational, and Convincing skills.
  • Change Management skills.

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We Offer

Festo Corporation offers a robust benefits package, which is designed to help employees and their dependents stay healthy, feel secure, and maintain a work/life balance. This is just one way we strive to provide employees with a rewarding workplace. As an effort to keep pace with healthcare trends, Festo Corporation is committed to providing a comprehensive benefits package to its employees which includes:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Short-term and Long-term disability
• 401k
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational assistance
• And many more.

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About the Company

Festo is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that the best way to attract and retain a diverse workforce is to encourage a culture of inclusion within our organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Your global benefits at a glance:

• Diverse opportunities for your development
• A strong team by your side
• Freedom to drive your ideas forward
• Develop innovative solutions with real impact
• Be part of a global network – in a family-owned company
• Attractive compensation and additional benefits

We look forward to your application and to getting to know you!

Nearest Major Market: Cincinnati

Apply now »

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