Manager-Demand Planning

Company Summary Statement

As one of the largest investor-owned utility companies in the United States, PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), is committed to creating long-term, sustainable value for our 3.5 million customers, our shareowners and the communities we serve. Our high-performing regulated utilities — PPL Electric Utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric, Kentucky Utilities and Rhode Island Energy — provide an outstanding experience for our customers, consistently ranking among the best utilities in the nation. PPL’s companies are also addressing challenges head-on by investing in new infrastructure and technology that is creating a smarter, more reliable and resilient energy grid. We are committed to doing our part to advance a cleaner energy future and drive innovation that enables us to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while maintaining energy reliability and affordability for the customers and communities we serve. PPL is a positive force in the cities and towns where we do business, providing support for programs and organizations that empower the success of future generations by helping to build and maintain strong, diverse communities today.

The Manager - Demand Planning, provides inventory strategies to optimize inventory, reduce overall inventory costs, and improve service levels for all inventories held at the network of storerooms and central warehouses for all operating companies across the PPL enterprise. This position will excel by building relationships with business line stakeholders and obtaining a thorough understanding of their goals and projects in order to effectively implement an inventory strategy to meet the material needs of those organizations. This position owns the inventory master for all Transmission, Distribution and Substation materials, and ensures accuracy of inventory data stored in PPL's Supply Chain ERP system.

- Lead Inventory Demand Planning Efforts: Manage the demand planning functions across all PPL operating companies, working with cross-functional teams to analyze and forecast, leveraging demand, spending profiles and pricing models to reduce costs and standardize materials.

- Optimize Inventory Levels: Take ownership of min/max, reorder points, and safety stocks across all warehouses. Collaborate with sourcing and logistics teams to ensure inventory is right-sized for operational needs while minimizing costs.

- Leverage Data Analytics: Use advanced data mining and business intelligence tools to analyze historical usage, forecast demand, and recommend replenishment models. Regularly review and adjust models based on business trends.

- Drive Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline demand planning processes, such as automating requisition generation and cleaning up past-due demand. Lead change initiatives to enhance system efficiency and data accuracy.

- Facilitate Regular Forecast Meetings: Lead quarterly demand planning forecast meetings to validate and finalize plans with all stakeholders. Ensure input templates and reference files are distributed and reviewed in advance.

- Develop Robust KPIs and Reporting: Own the creation of inventory-related KPIs, monthly/ad-hoc reports, and databases. Use these tools to monitor performance, identify issues, and communicate results to leadership.

- Inventory Obsolescence and Reserves: Work with other departments in the organization to reduce slow moving/obsolete inventory, recommending optimal movements, and working with Supply Chain counterparts to disposition. Additionally, Support the financial inventory reserve process by analyzing inventory data, assessing risk of obsolescence, and collaborating with finance and operations teams to ensure reserves are accurately calculated and aligned with organizational policies.

- Emergent and Storm Material Management: Work with logistics partners to ensure critical materials are available for storm restoration and emergent outages.

- Champion ERP Integration: Support transitions to new systems (e.g., SAP S/4HANA), ensuring demand planning processes are adapted and optimized for new platforms.

- Emergency and Storm Response: Supports PPL’s emergency and storm support model by adhering to the duties of assigned storm roles.

- All other duties and projects as assigned

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business Administration, IT, or other related fields.

- 7 or more years in supply chain roles.

- 2 or more years of formal or informal leadership experience, including people and/or project leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Master's degree

- 10 or more years of experience in demand planning, production scheduling, logistics, supply chain, manufacturing, operations, project management or other related experience.

- Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills.

- 5 or more years in a leadership role

- Advanced experience in data mining, creation of complex spreadsheets and databases, and use of business intelligence tools.

- Proven ability to lead change in organizations.

- Six Sigma Certification

- CPSM and/or PMP certifications