Dexter is the premier manufacturer and supplier of axles, suspension, brakes, doors, venting products, trailer parts, accessories, and towing components serving the commercial trailer, RV, heavy-duty, marine, agriculture, and manufactured housing markets has an opportunity for a Demand Planner at our distribution center located in Lisle, IL. 

Headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, Dexter has manufacturing and distribution locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Employing state-of-the-art robotics, precision welding equipment, and automated machining processes, Dexter has achieved many years of success through a commitment to the principles of superior quality, continuous improvement, and unparalleled customer service.  

For more information about our company, access Dexter's web site at www.dextergroup.com. 

About this role:

The Demand Planner is accountable for aligning customer demand to inventory stocking levels at DCs and Branches.  This role is key to the organization as it uses analytical, clinical, internal and sales data to effectively estimate demand and stocking levels. The Demand Planner determines the best measures to use to provide the most accurate representation of the inventory, warehouse capacity, and purchases forecast to support short- and long-term business requirements. This role will develop and present recommendations to Supply Chain leadership to resolve space constraints by driving efficiencies, collaborating with top vendors, and proposing new ways to support requirements while ensuring a plan in place to meet with projected space utilization.   A key responsibility will be to communicate expectations, and priorities to external vendors in relation to their ability to meet with our forecast and contractual obligations.  The Demand Planner will interact with Manufacturing and Merchandising regarding materials usage, forecast or other topics to develop and maintain a good working relationship while meeting with company objectives.

What you will be doing:

• Utilizing Demand Planning expertise, creates statistical forecasts by data analysis and using input from internal and external customers, validates data, reviews statistical forecast models, and applies error analysis techniques to improve forecasting.
• Develops ongoing safety stock strategies to keep customer service levels high while driving cost efficiencies. Evaluates demand and lead time fluctuations to protect against uncertainty and prevent disruption in production.
• Measures forecast accuracy for key vendors and finds best forecasting method to achieve desired level of accuracy.
• Achieves consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process with all stakeholders (S&OP). Prepares relevant material to facilitate research and discussion.
• Independently prepares and communicates Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) to management. These KPls include but not limited to capacity, purchases and inventory forecast.
• Lead monthly collaborative planning forecasting meetings with key suppliers to share forecast and address any gaps as needed to prevent production interruptions due to material shortages.
• Lead monthly collaborative demand meetings with internal customers to drive discussions around future usage and new product introductions.
• Continuously identify and develop areas for improvement related to the forecasting process.
• Collaborates in the development of the Enterprise Resource Planning System (Microsoft D365) process and SOPs as related to demand planning.
• Provides input to supply planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and phase outs.
• Manages performance to maintain adherence to key metrics: In-stocks, OTD, Days of Inventory.
• Other duties, as assigned.
• Collaborates with Demand Planning to ensure forecasts and targeted inventory levels are aligned with customer expectations.
• Manages performance to maintain adherence to key metrics: In-stocks, OTD, Days of Inventory.
• Other duties, as assigned.

To be successful in this role:

• Bachelor’s degree in business or supply Chain, or relevant front-line experience, required.
• APICS and/or ACPF Certification, preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in demand planning or forecasting role, preferred.
• 3+ years of work experience in demand planning, preferably in an Item intensive multi-channel environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistics, forecasting, and forecasting methods with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts, required.

We care for our people.  Here are some of our great, comprehensive Benefits: 

• Dexter offers a competitive wage 
• Full benefits package including Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HSA 
• 3% profit sharing in our Safe Harbor program 
• 401(k) Plan with company contributions  
• Opportunities for internal career development and growth 

Apply now to join an industry leader and make a difference in what we do for the customers we serve! 

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Offers of employment are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and drug screen. Dexter Axle Company is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. 

Work Authorization 

Dexter will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada. This  position does not provide sponsorship. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1 (including those with OPT or CPT), H-1, H-2, L-1, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.