Executive Stream 2: Developing Adaptable & Effective Planning Processionals

IBF's Virtual LEADERSHIP FORUM

As a leader, it is up to you to hire the talent you need to perform a range of functions and deliver value to the planning process. That’s hard enough at the best of times but is even more challenging when crisis hits and teams must think outside the box to predict and manage demand. But one thing remains constant: We need analytical skills, learning agility, technological know-how, domain expertise and interpersonal skills. There’s something even bigger we must strive for, however, and that is reaching talent management maturity.

In this executive stream, you’ll hear senior level panelists from a variety of companies and industries sharing strategies that have worked to best recruit, develop and retain talent in the field of demand planning, predictive analytics, and S&OP. You’ll see what companies are doing differently now to recruit and train top talent, and know how to define roles and responsibilities. This is a unique opportunity to see how senior leaders see the bigger picture, envision future requirements, and inspire and nurture the next generation.

The Knowledge You Will Gain Includes:

How to determine the optimal demand planning structure for your organization based on size and business complexity
How to inspire the next generation for forecasting and planning career opportunities
The right balance of specific skills needed to succeed, including the skillsets required to handle disruptions and the “new normal”
The importance of learning agility to adapt to unexpected situations like Covid-19
What types of training and coaching programs are needed for the changing planning landscape
How to manage more with limited or less people and resources
How to attract the right people and ensure they are highly effective value drivers for the long-term.

Moderator:
Todd Gallant, ACPF, Vice President of Global Planning, Crocs

Panelists:
Debbie Climer, Director of Integrated Business Planning, Cummins Inc.
Anne-Laure Coussot, Director of Demand Planning, Mondelēz International
Joseph Eschenbrenner, ACPF, Director of Demand & Supply Planning, Puma
Jessica Lackey, Senior Director, Supply Chain Planning, Electrolux

Todd Gallant, ACPF

Former Vice President of Global Planning

Crocs

Todd has extensive experience in coordinating demand planning processes and S&OP. He was involved in Finance, Customer Service, Supply Chain, and Sales Planning. He is an Advanced Certified Professional Forecaster (ACPF) and holds a BS degree from Boston College and an MBA from University of New Hampshire with a focus in Supply Chain Management and Marketing. Todd is also a member of the Institute of Business Forecasting & Planning (IBF) Board of Advisors and has served as a keynote speaker & panelist for IBF Executive Forums and conferences. Todd has also published in the IBF’s Journal of Business Forecasting.

Joseph Eschenbrenner, ACPF

Director Planning and Material Management

Roche Tissue Diagnostics

Joe Eschenbrenner serves as the Director Planning and Material Management for Roche Tissue Diagnostics. Prior to this, he served as the Director of Demand Planning for Puma North America where his responsibilities were focused in multiple areas, driving "Speed to Market" and "Holistic Operational Efficiency". He has extensive experience managing Demand and Supply Planning, Merchandising Operations, and Sales Allocations. He also worked as the Global Manager of Demand Planning for the Timken Company which serves diverse industries including Automotive, Heavy Truck, Off Highway, Rail, Wind Energy, Heavy Industries, Power Transmission, Industrial Distribution and Automotive Market. Joe holds an MBA and Master's Degree in Finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) as well as a B.A. in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Connecticut. Joe is a past President of the Automotive Market Research Council and has achieved IBF's Advanced Certified Professional Forecaster (ACPF) designation.

Jessica Lackey

Senior Director, Supply Chain Planning

Electrolux

Jessica Lackey serves as Senior Director, Supply Chain Planning for Electrolux Major Appliances, North America. Jessica’s current responsibilities span Demand Planning, Supply Planning/Execution, the Executive S&OP process, and overseeing a new planning system implementation. Her previous experience includes 10+ years in Planning and Operations at Nike, Inc. and McKinsey and Company. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MS in Industrial Engineering/Operations Research from Penn State, and a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech. She is passionate about talent development within the Supply Chain space and is a Certified Professional Coach.

Debbie Climer

Director of Integrated Business Planning

Cummins Inc.

Debbie has spent more than 20 years working in a variety of roles in manufacturing and quality across different business units at Cummins Inc. For the last 8 years, she has led Integrated Business Planning across the enterprise, responsible for deployment, assessment, education and improvements across all business segments. Debbie previously led the IBP process in the Engine business segment facilitating both the MBR and IR steps of the process. Prior to Cummins, she was an officer in the US Navy. Debbie holds a degree in Business Administration from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and an MBA from Ball State University.

Anne-Laure Coussot

Director Demand Planning & Commercialization

Mondelēz Canada Inc.

Anne-Laure is the Director of Demand Planning & Commercialization at Mondelēz Canada, leading the forecasting team and being a key contributor to the IBP process. She began her career at Mondelēz France where she built extensive commercial expertise from sales rep to category lead. She then moved into the Canadian business unit in 2015, and held roles in shopper marketing, category & revenue planning, as well as key account management. In January 2020 she joined the supply team as the demand planning lead for all Mondelēz categories where she is currently leading the transformation of Mondelēz Canada’s demand planning processes, structure and systems. Prior to Mondelēz, Anne-Laure held roles at Danone and Sony. She holds a degree in marketing from Lund Universitet, in Sweden, and a Master’s degree in business from NEOMA, France.