What Do Demand Planners Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for demand planners?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what demand planners do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Demand Planners Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about demand planners by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Demand Planners analyze and coordinate the ongoing logistical functions of a firm or organization. Responsible for the entire life cycle of a product, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.
Popular Job Titles For Demand Planners
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Supply Chain Analysts
- Logistics Specialists
- Production Planners
- Supply Chain Specialists
- Logistics Analysts
- Demand Planners
- Material Planners
- Supply Chain Planners
- Supply Planners
- Materials Planners
- Logistics Associates
- Inventory Control Analysts
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for demand planners can be found.
Best Industries for Demand Planners
Demand Planners Jobs By Industry
- Federal Government, Civilian: 15.8%
- Federal Government, Military: 11.7%
- Management of Companies and Enterprises: 9.1%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 6.9%
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing: 3.4%
- Freight Transportation Arrangement: 3.1%
- Other: 50%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of demand planners can be found working in the Federal Government, Civilian sector. In 2022, about 15.8% of all jobs for demand planners were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Federal Government, Military (11.7%), Management of Companies and Enterprises (9.1%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (6.9%), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (3.4%) and Freight Transportation Arrangement (3.1%).
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Demand Planners
Build on your associate's degree and improve efficiency by designing and developing effective supply chains.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Improve product workflow, streamline operational efficiency, and “green” your business in today’s global business environment.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Develop into a well-rounded, adaptive and strategic business leader with a comprehensive mindset.
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Do Demand Planners Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what demand planners do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work demand planners do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that demand planners tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for demand planners, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Demand Planners
Based on 99,397 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Demand Planners
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain | 52,901 | 53% |
| Purchasing | 24,788 | 25% |
| Logistics | 21,771 | 22% |
| SAP Applications | 20,496 | 21% |
| Procurement | 19,821 | 20% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Demand Planners
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 46,198 | 46% |
| Operations | 39,279 | 40% |
| Management | 38,424 | 39% |
| Planning | 37,150 | 37% |
| Microsoft Excel | 33,491 | 34% |
Based on 99,397 job postings related to demand planners, supply chain was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 53% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for purchasing, logistics, sap applications, procurement and supply chain management were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for demand planners, followed by operations, management, planning, microsoft excel and customer service.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain | 52,901 | 53% |
| Purchasing | 24,788 | 25% |
| Logistics | 21,771 | 22% |
| SAP Applications | 20,496 | 21% |
| Procurement | 19,821 | 20% |
| Supply Chain Management | 17,489 | 18% |
| Inventory Management | 17,380 | 17% |
| Warehousing | 16,553 | 17% |
| Supply Chain Planning | 14,466 | 15% |
| Project Management | 14,416 | 15% |
| Finance | 13,998 | 14% |
| Material Requirements Planning | 12,720 | 13% |
| Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) | 12,297 | 12% |
| Data Analysis | 11,750 | 12% |
| Process Improvement | 11,717 | 12% |
| Demand Planning | 11,584 | 12% |
| Production Planning | 11,000 | 11% |
| Enterprise Resource Planning | 10,162 | 10% |
| Auditing | 9,435 | 9% |
| Supply Chain Analysis | 9,130 | 9% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 46,198 | 46% |
| Operations | 39,279 | 40% |
| Management | 38,424 | 39% |
| Planning | 37,150 | 37% |
| Microsoft Excel | 33,491 | 34% |
| Customer Service | 27,478 | 28% |
| Problem Solving | 25,857 | 26% |
| Sales | 23,271 | 23% |
| Microsoft Office | 22,768 | 23% |
| Detail Oriented | 20,803 | 21% |
| Leadership | 19,742 | 20% |
| Forecasting | 18,603 | 19% |
| Scheduling | 16,007 | 16% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 15,156 | 15% |
| Writing | 14,335 | 14% |
| Coordinating | 13,249 | 13% |
| Organizational Skills | 11,180 | 11% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 11,027 | 11% |
| Self-Motivation | 10,881 | 11% |
| Multitasking | 10,758 | 11% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Demand Planners
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain Analysts | 22,067 | 15.4% |
| Logistics Specialists | 22,928 | 16% |
| Production Planners | 16,576 | 11.6% |
| Supply Chain Specialists | 13,564 | 9.5% |
| Logistics Analysts | 13,277 | 9.3% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was supply chain analysts, with 8,979 unique job postings. Logistics specialists were second, with 7,022 postings, followed by production planners, supply chain specialists and logistics analysts.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to demand planners.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Chain Analysts | 22,067 | 15.4% |
| Logistics Specialists | 22,928 | 16% |
| Production Planners | 16,576 | 11.6% |
| Supply Chain Specialists | 13,564 | 9.5% |
| Logistics Analysts | 13,277 | 9.3% |
| Demand Planners | 9,291 | 6.5% |
| Material Planners | 6,371 | 4.4% |
| Supply Chain Planners | 5,639 | 3.9% |
| Supply Planners | 4,490 | 3.1% |
| Materials Planners | 3,605 | 2.5% |
| Logistics Associates | 4,575 | 3.2% |
| Inventory Control Analysts | 3,565 | 2.5% |
| Supply Chain Consultants | 1,837 | 1.3% |
| Logistics Planners | 2,443 | 1.7% |
| Manufacturing Planners | 2,719 | 1.9% |
| Logisticians | 2,023 | 1.4% |
| Transportation Analysts | 1,947 | 1.4% |
| Production Planners/Schedulers | 2,766 | 1.9% |
| Logistics Engineers | 1,906 | 1.3% |
| Supply Chain Data Analysts | 1,626 | 1.1% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for demand planners? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for demand planners.
How much do demand planners make?
Demand Planners: How do you become one?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.