What does a business planner do?
A business planner specializes in developing and implementing business plans and procedures. Their job entails conducting extensive research and analyses to identify key business participants, determine the strengths and weaknesses of existing operations, and find new business opportunities. They also perform risk assessments, address potential operational costs, and identify issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Through their research findings, a business planner develops strategies to optimize operations and prevent significant losses when problems arise, helping the company run smoothly and efficiently.
Business planner responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real business planner resumes:
- Manage cost-centers and leverage unique Indian production and post- production capabilities and position the company as a prefer production partner.
- Coordinate logistics with multiple carrier partners and multiple distribution centers.
- Coordinate raw material logistics, serum manufacturing, gamma irradiation processing and other serum processes with third party contract manufacturers.
- Lead monthly and quarterly EAC forecasting and consolidate forecasts in support of corporate financial reporting.
Business planner skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Business Planners are proficient in Data Analysis, Strong Analytical, and Financial Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Business Planners that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Analysis, 10%
Provided written data analysis and reports for Access Business Group using critical, time sensitive information received from numerous data vendors.
- Strong Analytical, 8%
Delegated daily assignments to floor managers and exercised strong analytical skills to investigate and swiftly resolve customer issues.
- Financial Analysis, 8%
Administered demographic analysis, market research, and financial analysis to further business development.
- Business Plan, 7%
Functioned as Business Plan liaison between cross-function support organizations and Stamping Manufacturing Managers, communicating Stamping Business Planning objectives and initiatives.
- Supply Chain, 6%
Project Manager responsibilities supporting Global Purchasing & Supply Chain Executive Director.
- Logistics, 6%
Attended CEDM teleconferences: facilitated Logistics portion of information sharing and updates regarding Western/Central areas.
Most business planners use their skills in "data analysis," "strong analytical," and "financial analysis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential business planner responsibilities here:
Leadership skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a business planner to have is leadership skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "urban and regional planners must be able to manage projects, which may include overseeing tasks and planning assignments." Business planners often use leadership skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "influenced executive leadership to execute annual business development plans which yielded double-digit year-over-year growth in key categories. "
Analytical skills. Another essential skill to perform business planner duties is analytical skills. Business planners responsibilities require that "urban and regional planners analyze information and data from a variety of sources, such as market research studies, censuses, and environmental impact studies." Business planners also use analytical skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "served as sole finance support for the central oem sales team providing financial business case analysis. "
Communication skills. This is an important skill for business planners to perform their duties. For an example of how business planner responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "urban and regional planners must be able to communicate clearly and effectively because they interact with colleagues and stakeholders, prepare research reports, give presentations, and meet with a wide variety of audiences, including public officials, interest groups, and community members." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a business planner: "loaded purchase orders, expedited shortages, and ensured constant flow production on high volume telecommunications (box build) line. ".
The three companies that hire the most business planners are:
- Microsoft102 business planners jobs
- Slice, Inc.9 business planners jobs
- HP4 business planners jobs
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Compare different business planners
Business planner vs. Supply chain analyst
A supply chain analyst is responsible for handling the supply chain operations of an organization, aligning processes, and identifying areas of improvement to initiate procedures and create smooth supply delivery transactions. Supply chain analysts monitor the adequacy of stock inventory, including the trends in the market industry, to meet the public demands and ensuring that the business provides those interests. They also evaluate the supply cycle, from the planning stages to the final distribution, and analyzing aspects to minimize complexities and cost-reduction without compromising the quality of services.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a business planner are more likely to require skills like "financial analysis," "business plan," "market research," and "business processes." On the other hand, a job as a supply chain analyst requires skills like "customer service," "power bi," "continuous improvement," and "chain management." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Supply chain analysts really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $71,146. Comparatively, business planners tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $119,245.supply chain analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than business planners. In fact, supply chain analysts are 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Business planner vs. Urban design consultant
An urban design consultant is in charge of many projects, and so they have to oversee tasks and plan assignments. They are skilled in creating interior design solutions, space planning, sketching, and product selection. They have to analyze information and data gotten from market research studies and censuses. They also have to do presentations and prepare reports.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real business planner resumes. While business planner responsibilities can utilize skills like "data analysis," "strong analytical," "financial analysis," and "business plan," urban design consultants use skills like "gis," "urban design," "sketch," and "landscape architecture."
On average, urban design consultants earn a lower salary than business planners. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, urban design consultants earn the most pay in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $63,199. Whereas business planners have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $119,245.In general, urban design consultants achieve higher levels of education than business planners. They're 23.8% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Business planner vs. Planning internship
When it comes to planning an internship, an intern's duties will depend on the directives of supervising staff or a manager. Typically, an intern's responsibilities will revolve around performing clerical tasks such as processing documents, producing reports and presentations, responding to calls and correspondence, and managing schedules. There are also instances where an intern must share ideas and insights, attend meetings, maintain records, update databases, and assist staff in various tasks while under more experienced colleagues' supervision.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, business planners are more likely to have skills like "strong analytical," "supply chain," "logistics," and "demand planning." But a planning internship is more likely to have skills like "gis," "data collection," "arcgis," and "project management."
Planning interns earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $41,003. Business planners earn the highest pay from the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $119,245.planning interns typically earn similar educational levels compared to business planners. Specifically, they're 4.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Business planner vs. Housing grant analyst
Types of business planner
Updated January 8, 2025
