Demand Planner - Hardware & Infrastructure (Contract)

Aquent is partnering with a leading global technology company renowned for its innovation and commitment to shaping the digital landscape. This organization is at the forefront of developing groundbreaking products and services that impact billions worldwide, driven by a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

• Location: Palo Alto, CA (100% On-Site)
• Duration: 6 Months (Potential for Extension)
• Industry: Next-Gen Autonomous Logistics / Advanced Hardware

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Demand Planner to manage end-to-end demand forecasting for critical ground infrastructure and hardware inventory during a period of rapid national expansion. In this role, you will lead the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process across cross-functional partners (Business Operations, Engineering, Product, and Marketing) and translate deployment schedules into actionable inventory forecasts across 160+ infrastructure SKUs.

This is a high-impact, visible role in a fast-paced environment. You will own and maintain current spreadsheet-based forecasting models while helping lead the eventual transition to an enterprise planning system (SAP IBP) as operations scale.

• Cross-Functional Input Gathering: Partner closely with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and BizOps to collect demand signals regarding site launch schedules, new technology introductions, and scaling targets.
• Infrastructure Demand Forecasting: Translate deployment plans into statistical demand forecasts for all hardware, Bill of Materials (BOM), and site infrastructure SKUs (ground support equipment, communications hardware, containers, power supplies) needed to build and sustain operational sites.
• S&OP Execution & Model Maintenance: Maintain, run, and troubleshoot existing Google Sheets/Excel forecasting models, ensuring high data integrity and cross-team consensus.
• Downstream Hand-Off: Deliver aligned demand forecasts directly to Supply Planning leads to ensure downstream procurement and site inventory readiness.
• System Modernization: Help guide the transition from manual, spreadsheet-driven S&OP processes to a standardized enterprise planning framework (SAP IBP).

• 8+ years of Demand Planning experience within Consumer Electronics, Tech Hardware, Autonomous Devices, or Physical Logistics Infrastructure.
• Proven S&OP Expertise: Demonstrated track record of building and managing statistical demand forecasts in fast-changing, highly ambiguous environments.
• Advanced Spreadsheet Modeling: Expert-level Google Sheets and MS Excel capabilities (complex formula architecture, multi-tab data linking, troubleshooting manual models).
• Strong Stakeholder Alignment: Exceptional communication skills; comfortable addressing input discrepancies between teams and advocating for aligned forecasts.
• System Familiarity: Prior experience or familiarity with enterprise Demand Planning platforms (SAP IBP preferred).
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related technical field.

About Aquent Talent

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.