Sr. Analyst, Consensus Demand Planning – (Channel Lead)

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Job Description

Position Summary

The Sr. Analyst, Demand Planning Channel Lead is an individual contributor within the Demand Planning team, reporting directly to the Director, Consensus Demand Planning. This role serves as the senior demand planning subject matter expert for an assigned channel, leading the development of demand planning methodologies, driving strategic forecast improvements, and influencing cross-functional decision making that impacts inventory, service, and financial outcomes across the enterprise. This role serves as the subject matter expert on their channel's demand dynamics, translating external signals, and near-term order patterns into forecast inputs that improve the accuracy and reliability of the consensus plan. This role requires both analytical depth and strong cross-functional partnership skills; this individual must be comfortable working inside Kinaxis Maestro and engaging with cross functional stakeholders to build the alignment that a credible consensus forecast requires.

Key Responsibilities

Market Intelligence & Enrichment

- Own the process of identifying, evaluating, and incorporating external demand-side signals for the assigned channel into the statistical baseline forecast, including macroeconomic trends, payer policy changes, healthcare system dynamics, and geopolitical disruptions that could materially affect product demand.

- Monitor the external environment on an ongoing basis for the assigned channel, proactively surfacing signals that warrant a forecast adjustment rather than waiting for downstream teams to flag the impact.

- Ensure all enrichments are documented and traceable so that forecast decisions can be explained, audited, and used to improve future enrichment quality over time.

- Lead the development and continuous improvement of demand enrichment methodologies, standards, and governance practices across demand planning.

- Evaluate emerging market trends and industry developments, translating insights into forecasting strategies and planning assumptions.

- Provide guidance and consultation to planners and business partners regarding the interpretation and application of external demand signals.

Long Range Consensus Forecasting

- Own the channel-level demand inputs into the long-range consensus forecast, aligning signals from cross functional partners into a single agreed-upon view in Kinaxis Maestro for the assigned channel.

- Extend the planning horizon beyond near-term views for the assigned channel, ensuring that forward-looking demand assumptions are reflected in the consensus plan and available to support supply and inventory decisions across a meaningful planning window.

- Maintain active relationships with cross functional partners for the assigned channel, ensuring that demand-relevant intelligence is flowing into the planning process on a timely and structured basis rather than arriving ad-hoc.

- Facilitate resolution of complex cross-functional demand planning issues where business priorities, supply constraints, and forecast assumptions require executive-level alignment.

- Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance forecast accuracy, forecast efficiency, and planning capabilities across the broader organization.

- Represent Demand Planning in strategic planning discussions and provide recommendations that influence long-term inventory and capacity decisions.

- Prepare channel-level demand assumptions packages that are ready for presentation in S&OP reviews facilitated by the COE, ensuring the framing is clear and the key assumptions are visible to cross-functional participants.

Demand Sensing

- Monitor short-term order patterns, shipment data, and near-real-time demand signals for the assigned channel to identify deviations from the statistical baseline that require immediate forecast adjustment.

- Refine near-term forecasts on a rolling basis using demand sensing inputs, reducing the lag between market reality and the plan without waiting for the next monthly consensus cycle.

- Apply clear thresholds for when a demand sensing signal for the assigned channel is material enough to trigger an off-cycle forecast update versus being held for the next scheduled planning cycle.

- Ensure near-term demand sensing outputs for the assigned channel are visible and actionable in the weekly S&OE cycle, flagging operationally significant deviations before they create inventory or service risk.

- Develop and refine demand sensing frameworks, exception management criteria, and planning best practices used across planning teams.

- Anticipate emerging risks and opportunities by identifying demand pattern shifts before they materially impact business performance and proactively recommend mitigation strategies.

Leadership & Influence

- Serve as a mentor and resource to planners and analysts across the organization.

- Lead cross-functional projects and planning initiatives that drive business transformation and capability enhancement.

- Influence planning decisions through expertise, data-driven recommendations, and strong stakeholder management.

- Support the development of planning standards, tools, training materials, and best practices.

Minimum Requirement

Degree or equivalent and typically requires 7+ years of relevant experience.

Education Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Data Analytics or related field, or equivalent experience.

Critical Skills

- 7+ years of experience in demand planning, supply chain analytics, forecasting, inventory management, or related disciplines with demonstrated ownership of highly complex forecasting processes and cross-functional planning initiatives. Translating external market intelligence into credible, well-documented forecast enrichments that improve consensus plan accuracy for the assigned channel.

- Functional proficiency in Kinaxis Maestro or a comparable advanced planning system.

- Demonstrated ability to incorporate external market signals into a quantitative forecast, including the judgment to assess signal credibility and document enrichment decisions.

- Strong analytical skills: able to interpret forecast error metrics, identify demand patterns, and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations.

- Proven ability to work cross-functionally with Commercial, Supply Planning, and Finance stakeholders to build alignment on forecast assumptions.

- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, or related field required.
- Building and maintaining cross-functional relationships that ensure demand-relevant intelligence reaches the planning process on time and in a usable form.

- Applying sound judgment on when to adjust the statistical baseline and when to hold a signal as a risk assumption, maintaining the integrity of the consensus forecast.

- Operating with precision and discipline inside Kinaxis Maestro, ensuring that channel-level inputs are accurate, traceable, and aligned with governance standards.

- Balancing near-term demand sensing with long-range forecast ownership, managing both horizons without sacrificing quality on either.

- Ability to influence decisions across multiple functions and levels of leadership.

- Demonstrated expertise designing and improving forecasting methodologies and planning processes.

- Ability to lead complex initiatives in ambiguous environments with limited direction.

- Strong business acumen with the ability to connect demand planning decisions to financial, inventory, and customer outcomes.

Additional Skills

- Experience working within a structured S&OP or consensus planning process, including preparing forecast packages for cross-functional review.

- Familiarity with healthcare, pharmaceutical, or wholesale distribution demand dynamics is a strong plus.

- Comfort operating in ambiguity and building structure where process is still maturing, particularly in the context of a large-scale system transition.

- Effective communication skills; able to present forecast assumptions clearly to senior stakeholders and defend enrichment decisions with evidence.

- Intellectual curiosity about external market dynamics and a proactive orientation toward surfacing signals before they become problems.

Physical Requirements

- Traditional office requirements.  A large percentage of time performing computer-based work is required.
- Hybrid role, must live near Las Colinas office.
- Up to 5% travel.

This role is a hybrid position . The selected candidate is expected to work on-site at our Las Colinas office a minimum of two (2) days per week , with the remaining days worked remotely. Specific in-office days may be designated based on team needs and business priorities.

We are proud to offer a competitive compensation package at McKesson as part of our Total Rewards. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered. For more information regarding benefits at McKesson, please  click here.

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