How Many Demand Planners Do We Need?

There is no simple way to decide how many demand planners a company needs. The author posits and discusses six essential factors to consider when determining the answer: What is expected from a demand planner? What kind of demand planning process is in place? How many forecasts have to be prepared, and what level of detail is required? How much accuracy is needed? What kind of forecasting technology is available to do the job? ROBERT LANGENHUIZEN | Mr. Langenhuizen is Forecasting Manager at Driscoll’s EMEA, growers of premium fresh berries. He specializes in S&OP, inventory control, and demand planning. He holds a bachelor’s degree in international marketing from Rotterdam Business School for Economics. He is a Certied Supply Chain Professional from APICS and Certied Professional Forecaster from IBF. A question often asked, particularly at the time of economic uncertainty, is how many demand planners do we need? Too many planners will cost too much money, and too few may cost even more if we wind up with bad forecasts as a result. Over-forecasts cost money because of fire sales, inventory buildup, and obsolescence. Under-forecasts, on the other hand, result in loss of sales ...