What is the primary role of a demand planner?

• A. Responsible for setting supplier contracts.
• B. Manages day-to-day inventory levels for all SKUs.
• C. Build and update forecasts, analyze trends, and coordinate with sales, marketing, and operations.
• D. Oversees facility maintenance.

Answer: (C)

Forecasting demand and aligning the supply plan is what a demand planner focuses on. The primary role is to build and update forecasts, analyze trends, and coordinate with sales, marketing, and operations to translate those forecasts into actionable plans for production, procurement, and replenishment. They incorporate historical data, seasonality, promotions, and market signals, and contribute to the Sales and Operations Planning process to keep inventory levels appropriate and service levels high. Roles like setting supplier contracts belong to procurement, managing day-to-day inventory is more about stock control, and overseeing facility maintenance is facility management. This combination of forecasting, trend analysis, and cross-functional coordination is what defines the demand planner’s main job.