Lead Demand Planning

CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.

The Lead Demand Planning is responsible for leading the demand planning process for assigned product categories across LATAM markets, ensuring alignment with the company’s commercial strategy and business objectives. This role leverages forecasting insights, business analytics, and cross-functional collaboration to drive effective decision-making, support business performance, and ensure alignment between commercial priorities and demand planning strategies across the region.

The position plays a critical leadership role within the Demand Planning and S&OP process, partnering closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Inventory Management, and Supply Chain teams to align on assumptions, identify risks and opportunities, and lead consensus-based discussions and decision-making forums. The Associate Manager is expected to provide strategic direction to the team, ensuring priorities are aligned across functions and that demand planning processes effectively support business objectives and operational execution.

Additionally, the role contributes to key business initiatives such as product launches, promotional planning, portfolio optimization, and process improvement initiatives, while providing strategic leadership and driving alignment across cross-functional teams.

The Associate Manager is also responsible for leading, coaching, and developing the Demand Planning team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment focused on continuous improvement, analytical excellence, accountability, and strong cross-functional partnership across the organization.

What Your Impact Will Be

• Lead the Demand Planning process for assigned product categories across LATAM markets, ensuring alignment between commercial strategy and operational capabilities.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Demand Planning team, establishing priorities, driving accountability, and fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Lead cross-functional Demand Review and S&OP discussions with Sales, Marketing, Inventory Management, and Supply Chain teams, facilitating alignment on assumptions, risks, opportunities, and business decisions.
• Drive consensus-based decision-making processes by leveraging business insights, market trends, and forecasting analytics to support commercial and operational strategies.
• Oversee the development, review, and alignment of demand plans, ensuring consistency with business objectives, portfolio strategies, promotional initiatives, and product launch plans.
• Partner with leadership teams to identify business risks and opportunities, providing recommendations and action plans to support decision-making and execution.
• Monitor and evaluate demand planning performance through key KPIs such as Forecast Variance, Bias, and Value Add driving continuous improvement initiatives across processes, tools, and team capabilities.
• Promote standardization, automation, and process optimization initiatives within Demand Planning to improve efficiency, visibility, and decision-making capabilities.
• Ensure effective collaboration and alignment between Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Inventory Management and Commercial teams to support business continuity and operational execution.
• Drive visibility and communication of demand-related insights, assumptions, and business impacts to stakeholders and leadership teams through reporting tools and planning systems.
• Coach, mentor, and develop Demand Planning team members, supporting capability building, analytical development, succession planning, and career growth within the organization.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making across the Demand Planning function.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in Demand Planning, Supply Chain, S&OP, or related analytical and business planning roles, preferably within consumer goods, retail, or manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience leading Demand Planning and S&OP processes within complex and fast-paced business environments.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing, coaching, and developing teams, with the ability to build collaborative and high-performing organizations.
• Strong business decision-making capabilities, with the ability to translate data, market insights, and commercial strategies into actionable business plans.
• Experience leading cross-functional alignment and influencing stakeholders across multiple organizational levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify trends, assess risks and opportunities, and drive strategic recommendations.
• Advanced Excel skills required; experience with planning systems such as Anaplan, SAP APO/IBP, Blue Yonder, or similar tools is strongly preferred.
• Experience with data visualization and reporting tools such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, including experience presenting insights and recommendations to leadership teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and lead teams effectively within dynamic and rapidly changing environments.
• Strong organizational skills, high attention to detail, and continuous improvement mindset.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written) is required.
• APICS or similar supply chain certification is considered a plus.

Our Approach to Flexible Work:
We embrace a flexible work model designed to empower a culture of growth, optimism, and wellbeing, where every employee can reach their full potential. Combining purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility, our focus is to optimize performance and drive connection for moments that matter.

Who We Are

Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.

Visit us at https //jobs.mattel.com and https //www.instagram.com/Mattel

Mattel is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.