Planning Manager - Hire or get hired
Your complete guide to the Planning Manager Role: Duties, salary & hiring tips
Purpose of the Planning Manager
The Planning Manager leads the planning function to ensure alignment of production, inventory, and demand forecasts with business objectives and customer needs.
Planning Manager's duties and responsibilities
• Forecasting:
Develop and maintain rolling forecasts based on historical data and market trends.
• Production Planning:
Coordinate with manufacturing to align production schedules with demand.
• Inventory Control:
Ensure optimal stock levels across the supply chain.
• Team Management:
Lead and mentor a team of planners and analysts.
• Reporting:
Deliver planning performance metrics and insights to leadership.
Develop and maintain rolling forecasts based on historical data and market trends.
• Production Planning:
Coordinate with manufacturing to align production schedules with demand.
• Inventory Control:
Ensure optimal stock levels across the supply chain.
• Team Management:
Lead and mentor a team of planners and analysts.
• Reporting:
Deliver planning performance metrics and insights to leadership.
Requirements and qualifications for a Planning Manager
• 5+ years’ experience in supply chain or planning
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• ERP/MRP systems experience (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
• Team leadership and project coordination skills
• Degree in supply chain, logistics, or related field
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• ERP/MRP systems experience (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
• Team leadership and project coordination skills
• Degree in supply chain, logistics, or related field
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Supply Chain Market Update
In 2024, supply chain and logistics hiring managers faced ongoing challenges, with candidate availability remaining a key issue. More than 50% of employers reported difficulty finding candidates, with 46% also citing candidate unreliability as a barrier to hiring. Warehousing and Operations/Admin Support roles remained in high demand, but skill shortages persisted across Warehousing (37%), Demand and Procurement (33%), and Transport (25%). Employers continued to invest in flexibility, automation, and technology to mitigate these gaps, while benefits such as flexible working hours (39%), product discounts (25%), and meal allowances (10%) were offered to compensate for the lack of work flexibility.
Looking ahead to 2025, hiring demand for Warehousing roles has decreased to 42%, while Transport roles have become more prominent, rising to 33%. Skills shortages persist, particularly in Warehousing (36%), Transport (30%), and Procurement (24%). AI is increasingly influencing the sector, with predictive analytics (50%), real-time data tracking (47%), and warehouse management systems (43%) emerging as critical skills. Certifications and upskilling initiatives (25%) have become a more common retention strategy, but over half of employers still offer no additional benefits. As technology continues to reshape supply chains, professionals with technical expertise and adaptability will be crucial in driving industry success.
Looking ahead to 2025, hiring demand for Warehousing roles has decreased to 42%, while Transport roles have become more prominent, rising to 33%. Skills shortages persist, particularly in Warehousing (36%), Transport (30%), and Procurement (24%). AI is increasingly influencing the sector, with predictive analytics (50%), real-time data tracking (47%), and warehouse management systems (43%) emerging as critical skills. Certifications and upskilling initiatives (25%) have become a more common retention strategy, but over half of employers still offer no additional benefits. As technology continues to reshape supply chains, professionals with technical expertise and adaptability will be crucial in driving industry success.
