Demand Planner Senior

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.

We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and an audio, video and control platform. We focus on customer outcomes and drive growth and productivity to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals.

Acuity Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuityinc.com.  

Job Summary

As part of its sustained growth, Distech Controls is seeking to strengthen its demand planning process to improve forecast quality, cross-functional alignment, and decision-making.

As the Senior, Demand Planner, you will be responsible for leading and improving the short-, medium-, and long-term demand forecasting process. You will lead the monthly demand review process, ensure the consolidation of a consensus demand plan, and work closely with Sales, Finance, Marketing, Product Management, Operations, and Supply Chain.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

1. Leadership in Demand Planning:

• Lead and improve the short-, medium-, and long-term demand planning process, from the financial level to forecasts at the product-number level.
• Review forecasting process standards, methods, and calendars.
• Prepare the statistical forecast and incorporate commercial insights.
• Consolidate forecasts from Sales, customers, markets, and product teams.
• Lead the monthly demand review cycle and secure stakeholder alignment on a consensus demand plan.
• Ensure that forecast assumptions and adjustments are documented, quantified, and supported by data.
• Identify trend changes, exceptional events, risks, and opportunities that may influence demand.
• Present the demand plan, variances, and scenarios during executive reviews.

2. Data Analysis and Reporting:

• Measure and communicate forecast accuracy, bias, and the value added by adjustments.
• Conduct root-cause analyses to identify the factors driving significant variances.
• Implement and monitor action plans to improve forecast quality and stability.
• Define the appropriate aggregation levels for measuring performance, including by SKU, product family, market, region, and horizon.
• Segment products to apply forecasting methods suited to their volume, variability, and life cycle.
• Regularly present performance indicators and key issues to management.

3. Portfolio and Product Life-Cycle Management:

• Coordinate forecasts for new product introductions.
• Define initial demand assumptions in collaboration with Sales, Marketing, and Product Management.
• Monitor product launches and quickly adjust forecasts based on actual sales.
• Incorporate promotions, customer projects, price changes, and commercial events into forecasts.
• Plan transitions between existing products and replacement products.
• Identify cannibalization, excess inventory, and obsolescence risks associated with portfolio changes.
• Collaborate with teams responsible for end-of-life products to gradually adjust forecast demand.

4. Technology and Continuous Improvement:

• Improve and standardize demand planning processes, tools, and methods.
• Reduce manual activities and non-value-added adjustments.
• Expand the use of statistical forecasting, automation, and advanced analytics.
• Ensure the quality of master and transactional data used in the forecasting process.
• Document processes, responsibilities, business rules, and calculation methods.
• Regularly assess demand planning best practices within Acuity Brands and across the industry.

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, business administration, or a related field.
• Significant experience in demand planning or Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP).
• Strong knowledge of statistical forecasting methods and performance indicators, including forecast accuracy, bias, and stability.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and build consensus in a cross-functional environment.
• Excellent ability to clearly articulate business strategy and create and deliver professional-level presentations.
• Ability to manage sensitive, urgent, complex, and ambiguous tasks with minimal supervision.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Knowledge of supply chain management software, ERP systems, and BI tools.
• Experience in a fast-paced, international manufacturing environment is considered an asset.
• APICS, ASCM, IBF, or equivalent certification is considered an asset.
• Bilingual French and English: To serve clients and external service providers across Canada and USA.

We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities: As an equal opportunity employer, Acuity Brands is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, you may contact us at (770) 922-9000, select option 4. Please clearly indicate what type of accommodation you are requesting and for what requisition.

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Acuity Inc. from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to an Acuity Inc. mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Acuity Inc. employees, or to Acuity Inc. resume database will be considered Acuity Inc. property. Acuity Inc. will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Knowledge of French is required for positions permanently located in Quebec so incumbents can communicate with their colleagues and suppliers in Quebec as necessary. French-language training is offered to all incumbents in permanent positions in Quebec who do not have a good knowledge of French.

The requirement for another language other than French is necessary for this position in order to communicate with clients, partners, and colleagues who are predominantly located outside of Quebec. The company has very few clients in Quebec and therefore must constantly use another language to communicate outside of Quebec

Acuity Inc. will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.