The Hershey Company · 1 day ago
Analyst, Demand Planning
Hershey, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
1+ years expThe Hershey Company is a leading confectionery manufacturer, and they are seeking a Demand Planner to manage and integrate data to develop accurate forecasts supporting Operations, Sales, and Financial Planning. The role involves collaborating with various departments to ensure alignment with business direction and improving forecast accuracy through statistical analysis and insights from market intelligence.
ConfectioneryFood and BeverageManufacturingService IndustrySnack Food
Responsibilities
Develop accurate demand forecasts of all line items for their accountable segment of the business by using a combination of statistical forecasting integrated with insights gained via partnering with Sales, Marketing, Operations and Finance departments. Ensure consistent integration into the forecast of customer insights, base business trends, merchandising promotional plans, new item volumes, plan-o-gram changes and seasonal volume with the goal of reducing working capital and minimizing forecast error. Work cross functionally toward continuous improvement of forecast accuracy and improve the error rate below targeted levels of Weighted Mean Absolute Percentage Error (WMAPE) and Bias
Analyze, maintain, and modify key item-level system replenishment settings such as minimum ship quantity and shipment increment
Develop/maintain statistical safety stock strategy utilizing inventory optimization tools
Maintain forecasting system models, history, alerts, and system data integrity to ensure the publication of a 104 week operational forecast by item by distribution center in SAP APO DP / JDA Manugistics systems. Manage timely new item and version change setups. Manage customer specific systems and tools integration with the forecasting system
As the Commercial / Supply Interface, individual will provide Sales and Operations teams with timely analysis, guidance, and decision-making to ensure that the supply chain is in the best position to execute the demand plan generated from the total operational forecast. This includes generating and publishing to key stakeholders, monthly and weekly demand forecasts, including clear identification of assumptions highlighting significant changes since release of previous report
Planners with Key Account responsibility will maintain accountability for specific Customer focused metrics, including Customer Case Fill, Customer Service Levels, Planned Arrival Accuracy, Customer Inventory Levels, Customer Inventory Turns, and provide packtype / brand analysis for customer level forecasts to validate alignment with CSE expectations and customer retail performance
Provide input to support monthly IBM Demand meetings and incorporate IBM feedback to improve forecasting process. Provide documented insights into forecast changes, growth rates, promotions, distribution changes, and customer insights as well as supporting points for the current brand/packtype forecasts. Perform ad hoc analyses, as required, in support of contingency planning
Proactively develop others within the planning organization through the sharing of best demonstrated processes and knowledge transference. Provide cross functional leadership across departments to solve for demand related issues caused by forecast error, demand constraints, unplanned promotional opportunities, etc
In addition to position-specific work, as outlined above, the Demand Planner will act as a lead on special projects, providing leadership as a functional expert to represent Demand Planning needs. The teams will include (but not be limited to): seasonal teams, new product launch teams, and continuous improvement initiatives
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Mathematics, Information Systems or equivalent experience
At least 1-4 years of relevant experience
Prior business experience preferred
Capacity to work within multiple internal and external information systems including, but not limited to, SAP, Manugistics, and customer-specific systems
Proficient in understanding of fundamental business management and supply chain principles and concepts
Thorough understanding of key internal and external order fulfillment processes
Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications, particularly Access and Excel
Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external partners at all levels
Ability to implement and execute forecasts and sales plans
Capacity to analyze customer-specific data and reporting vehicles
Strong mathematical skills
Strong interpersonal communication skills, relationship management
Ability to make effective cost vs. service decisions when ordering
Takes initiative on resolving VMI issues proactively
Adaptive to fast and continuous change
Proficient ability to identify and evaluate opportunities (increase service levels/turns, enhance logistic efficiencies) and recommend solutions internally
Company
The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company is headquartered in Hershey, Pa., and is an industry-leading snacks company with a purpose to make more moments of goodness through its iconic brands.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
The Hershey Company has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (10)
2024 (6)
2023 (7)
2022 (6)
2021 (4)
2020 (11)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$4.62B2025-10-21Post Ipo Debt· $1.88B
2025-02-19Post Ipo Debt· $2B
2023-05-01Post Ipo Debt· $750M
Leadership Team
Kirk Tanner
Chief Executive Officer
Michele Buck
President & CEO
Recent News
2026-02-07
2026-02-06
2026-02-06
Company data provided by crunchbase