Demand Planner

DEMAND PLANNER

Location: Vadnais Heights, MN - Hybrid

What is IP Corporation?

IP Corporation is a privately held, family-owned chemical manufacturing organization with more than 70 years of stability, innovation, and growth. Headquartered in Minnesota, IP Corporation supports a portfolio of operating companies that manufacture and distribute resins, gel coats, composite materials, and specialty polymer solutions used across a wide range of industrial applications.

Our operating companies, Interplastic Corporation, North American Composites, HK Research, and Molding Products, work together to deliver technical expertise, high-quality products, and long-term partnerships to customers around the world. We are known for our customer-first mindset, strong technical capabilities, and collaborative culture built on trust and continuous improvement.

What is a Demand Planner?

The Demand Planner at North American Composites forecasts and manages the demand plan so inventory stays at the right levels. About 75% of the role focuses on demand planning: analyzing sales data, market trends and customer behavior to build accurate forecasts, and working closely with the sales team to create demand plans. The remaining 25% covers MRP parameter management, inventory health and supply chain reporting.

This is a highly visible, strategic role with a direct effect on inventory performance, the customer experience and overall business performance. You will work with Commercial, Supply Chain, Operations, Customer Service and IT teams, and your forecasts will shape the monthly S&OP process.

What You Can Expect to Do as a Demand Planner:

• Develop and validate weekly, monthly and quarterly demand forecasts over a rolling 12-month horizon, using statistical analysis of historical demand, trends and seasonality.
• Partner with Commercial teams to layer customer forecasts, sales projections, new product introductions and market insights onto the statistical forecast to build an aligned demand plan.
• Lead the demand planning inputs to the monthly S&OP process, giving clear visibility to changes in demand, key assumptions, risks and opportunities, and help prepare executive summaries.
• Analyze forecast accuracy and bias at a LAG 2 interval, cleanse sales history for exceptions and outliers, and drive continuous improvement in forecasting.
• Coordinate phase-in and phase-out items and advise supply planning, commercialization, customer service and operations on inventory strategies for existing, new and end-of-life products.
• Manage MRP parameters, including lead times, minimum order quantities, order multiples and safety stock, so settings support service and inventory goals.
• Monitor inventory health, report on KPIs such as inventory turns, out-of-stocks, DIO, weeks of supply and OTIF, and identify excess, dead and expiring stock.
• Partner with IT and Supply Chain to build reports and dashboards, lead root-cause analysis of material shortages, and maintain standard work for demand planning and MRP.

What We Are Looking For in a Demand Planner:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business, finance, economics or a related field.

• 2+ years of experience as a Demand Planner, or 4+ years as a Supply Planner or MRP Analyst.
• 5+ years of experience working with cross-functional teams, communicating with all levels of management and taking part in continuous improvement.
• Understanding of statistical forecasting methods such as time series analysis, regression, exponential smoothing and trend projection.
• Proficiency in ERP, demand planning and MRP systems, preferably SAP, Oracle or M3.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills, with attention to detail and experience using data and metrics to drive improvements.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to lead meetings, influence others and overcome barriers to change.
• Experience with S&OP or IBP processes, the M3 Demand Planning module, or an APICS CPIM or CSCP certification is a plus.

Why Join IP Corporation?

• Be part of a stable, privately held organization with more than 70 years of success and industry leadership.
• Competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous PTO, and a 401(k) with company match.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a collaborative, values-driven organization where your contributions matter.
• Work alongside experienced professionals in an environment that encourages continuous learning, development, and career growth.
• Join a culture built on teamwork, integrity, innovation, and long-term customer partnerships.
• Contribute to products and solutions that support a wide range of industries across North America and beyond.
• Enjoy the benefits of a company that combines the stability of an established organization with the agility and entrepreneurial spirit to drive innovation and continuous improvement.

IP Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable laws.