Demand & Supply Planning
Turn demand signals into clear decisions — using statistical discipline, consensus alignment, and an S&OP structure that actually works.
Planning breaks when forecasts become opinions, meetings become debates, and execution disconnects from reality. I help organizations stabilize planning by combining data-driven forecasting, structured consensus planning, and a practical S&OP cadence that creates accountability, transparency, and action across teams.
Three capabilities that stabilize planning
This is the practical mix that prevents forecast churn, reduces escalations, and improves follow-through.
1) Statistical Forecasting & Data Discipline
- Baseline forecast development (fit-for-purpose models)
- Error measurement: MAPE, WMAPE, Bias, MAD
- Outlier handling, event cleansing, demand history treatment
- Segmentation: stable vs volatile items (ABC / XYZ logic)
2) Consensus Forecasting (Commercial + Ops Alignment)
- Structured assumptions capture (promo, price, campaign uplift)
- Clear ownership: input vs accountability
- “One number” alignment: what changes, why, and impact
- Avoiding the highest-voice-wins trap
3) S&OP / IBP Structure that Drives Execution
- Cadence design: weekly execution + monthly S&OP cycle
- Pre-S&OP preparation (gaps, scenarios, constraints)
- Decision logs: owner, deadline, decision rationale
- Link demand, supply, inventory, service, and cost trade-offs
A practical planning system (not theory)
Structure beats heroics. This cadence creates clarity and predictable outcomes without over-engineering.
Stabilize the baseline forecast
Clean history, remove distortions, and build a reliable statistical starting point.
Measure performance correctly
MAPE is useful — but WMAPE + Bias + segmentation drive real improvement and better decisions.
Run consensus the right way
Inputs are welcome, but assumptions must be explained, sized, and documented.
Connect demand to supply reality
Every change translates into inventory impact, service risk, and capacity implications.
Lock decisions into an S&OP rhythm
Cadence + ownership + follow-through create results — and reduce escalations.
Make it repeatable
Templates, dashboards, and decision logs that keep the process consistent when pressure hits.
What you get (and what typically gets fixed)
Typical outputs are lightweight and operational — designed to work with the team and stick after handover.
Typical deliverables
- Forecast accuracy dashboard (MAPE / WMAPE / Bias / MAD + trend tracking)
- Consensus meeting structure (agenda + templates + input rules)
- Planning calendar (weekly/monthly cadence mapped out)
- Decision log (accountability + follow-through tracker)
- Assumption library (events, known uplifts, overrides, rationale)
- Supply impact view (inventory/service/capacity implications)
Common planning problems I solve
- Forecast is mainly opinion-driven
- Sales commits one number, ops plans another
- Constant expediting and firefighting
- Bias and error are unknown or ignored
- No clear ownership for overrides
- S&OP exists but decisions don’t stick
- Supply plans ignore constraints (capacity, lead times, realities)
What improves when planning becomes structured
Better planning isn’t just better numbers — it’s faster alignment and fewer reactive decisions across the business.
Ready to strengthen your Demand & Supply Planning?
If your planning process needs stability, structure, and execution focus — let’s talk. I can support as interim help to stabilize the cycle, improve the system, and hand over a repeatable operating rhythm.