What is the main responsibility of a demand planner in supply chain management?

The primary responsibility of a demand planner in supply chain management is to predict customer demand and align supply accordingly. This function is crucial because accurate demand forecasting enables organizations to optimize their inventory levels, production schedules, and resource allocation, ultimately leading to improved customer satisfaction and reduced costs.

By analyzing historical sales data, market trends, and customer insights, a demand planner creates forecasts that inform decisions throughout the supply chain. These forecasts help align the supply of goods with the anticipated demand, ensuring that products are available when and where they are needed, which minimizes both stockouts and excess inventory.

While managing supplier contracts, overseeing transportation logistics, and evaluating supply chain technology are important roles within the supply chain, they do not directly address the core function of ensuring that supply meets demand effectively. Demand planning specifically focuses on understanding and predicting customer needs, which is foundational for successful supply chain operations.