Imagine an orchestra. There are violins, drums, brass, and soloists. Each one plays their part. But without a conductor, everyone plays in their own rhythm — and music turns into chaos.

That’s exactly what a Demand Planner does — they’re the conductor in the demand planning team. They don’t “play” themselves, but they ensure each function — sales, marketing, finance, supply chain — plays its part according to the same demand plan.

🔍 Theory: Role of a Demand Planner in BusinessA Demand Planner is the bridge between all departments, responsible for:

📌 The goal is not to “guess a number” — but to build consensus across the company and ensure the forecast is realistic and transparent.

🧠 What Does a Demand Planner Actually Do?

Leads meetings like Demand Review and Consensus Planning

• Analyzes forecast accuracy and error sources
• Updates forecasting models (in Excel, BI, Anaplan, SAP IBP)
• Documents changes and business assumptions
• Collaborates with the S&OP Manager and Forecast Owners

📌 Real Business Example: CastrolIn Castrol (a BP brand), the Demand Planner led an initiative that reduced forecast errors by 15%:

• Weekly meetings with regional sales managers
• Evaluation of promo reliability (promo vs. actual results)
• Use of Forecast Bias as KPI, visualized in Power BI
• After 6 months, forecasts were less inflated, enabling supply chain to reduce overstock

📈 Result: More accurate forecasts → lower inventory → better service → improved cross-functional trust.

1. 🛠 Tools Job Description (LinkedIn)
2. Search “Demand Planner” on LinkedIn:

• It’s a cross-functional role
• Requires both analytical and soft skills
• Excel, Power BI, SAP, and Anaplan are common requirements

1. RACI Matrix

R – Responsible, A – Accountable, C – Consulted

🚫 Myth Myth: "A Demand Planner just builds forecasts in Excel."

Reality:
A Demand Planner is a moderator, analyst, and communicator in one.
They:

• Ask the right questions
• Challenge over-optimistic assumptions
• Understand how business decisions affect the supply chain

🧠 Practice Exercise

🔍 You’re a Demand Planner for a tea company.
Next week:

1. Marketing launches a campaign with influencers
2. Sales expects a 30% volume increase
3. The factory is overloaded due to maintenance
4. Finance insists the plan must match budget targets

👉 What questions will you ask each team?
👉 How will you build a consolidated plan?
👉 What comment would you add to justify forecast changes?

📌 Key Takeaways Demand Planner is the conductor, not just an analyst

• They operate between data and reality, keeping all teams in sync

Successful forecasting = alignment, transparency, and trust