Demand Planning Specialist
Lake Forest, IL, United States
- Healthcare
- Full-time
- demand planning
- forecasting
- supply chain
The Demand Planning Specialist at Abbott leads demand forecasting and planning initiatives to optimize supply chain operations and align with business objectives. The role involves using analytical tools and cross-functional collaboration to improve forecasting accuracy, support production scheduling, and manage inventory. This position requires strong analytical skills, experience with CRM and forecasting platforms, and the ability to work in a dynamic, matrixed environment within the healthcare sector.
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 114,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Demand Planning Specialist
Working at Abbott
At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:
Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.
An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution.
Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.
A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.
The Opportunity
This position works out of our Rapid Molecular Diagnostics (RMDx) Headquarters in Lake Forest, IL supporting our Toxicology business unit. Abbott's rapid diagnostic tests allow healthcare professionals and their patients to get same-day results. For healthcare workers, this means they can diagnose and advise their patients in a single office visit. For patients, quicker results mean earlier treatment, less anxiety, less time, and money spent on repeat doctor visits and a faster return to good health.
The Senior Specialist Demand is responsible for leading demand planning and generation initiatives to optimize forecasting accuracy, drive pipeline growth, and support strategic business objectives. This role combines analytical rigor with cross-functional collaboration to ensure demand strategies align with market trends, customer needs, and organizational goals.
What You’ll Work On
Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts across product lines or services using historical data, market insights, and predictive analytics.
Provides support to production planning/scheduling, inventory management, and distribution to maintain production operations and customer product availability.
Perform analysis and provide recommendations to management regarding demand or supply assumptions. Generates reports of moderate complexity and performs data analysis to proactively revise plans or resolve issues.
Collaborate with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to align demand plans with business objectives.
Analyze performance metrics.
Manage CRM and marketing automation platforms (e.g., Salesforce) to track engagement and conversion.
Continuously improve forecasting models and promotional tactics through testing and iteration.
Ensure compliance with internal standards and external regulations in demand planning processes.
This role will also be responsible for working with commercial to develop a global demand plan that follows the S&OP process. Works cross-functionally with purchasing, production, commercial, and other teams as necessary to resolve forecasting and inventory management opportunities.
Maintains positive and cooperative communications and collaboration with all levels of employees.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or related field
5+ years of experience in demand planning, demand generation, or related roles
Proficiency in forecasting tools, Excel and platforms (e.g., Salesforce)
Strong analytical skills with experience in data interpretation and reporting
Excellent communication and project management abilities
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s preferred
Experience working in a broader enterprise/cross-division business unit model preferred
Ability to work in a highly matrixed and geographically diverse business environment
Ability to work within a team and as an individual contributor in a fast-paced, changing environment
Ability to leverage and/or engage others to accomplish projects
Strong verbal and written communications with ability to effectively communicate at multiple levels in the organization
Multitasks, prioritizes and meets deadlines in timely manner
Strong organizational and follow-up skills, as well as attention to detail
Strategic mindset with attention to detail and execution
Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com
Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
The base pay for this position is $78,000.00 – $156,000.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.




