Demand Planner

Responsibilities:

Develop and Maintain the Demand Forecast

• Correction of history to improve the quality of the time series input into statistical forecasting
• Analyze and assign appropriate statistical models and parameters, to enrich statistical forecasts in order to generate accurate base line forecasts in SAP-APO and OMP planning tools.
• Review/Analyze the promotional volumes obtained from Shopper and Customer Marketing (S&CM) and ensure it is built into the IMS sales forecast.
• Coordinate Monthly Customer meetings to gather demand drivers in their accounts that result in volume uplifts (National promos, Beauty Fairs, Bundled Packs, etc.)
• Responsible for demand forecast meetings to ensure that demand plans are reviewed at the appropriate forecasting level with Sales, Marketing, Finance and Customer`s representative(s).
• NPD forecasting - Analyze new products volumes shared by Marketing (Business Case Commitment) vs.
• Demand Planner`s independent forecast based upon business assumptions and building blocks.
• Exception Management: Review of Demand planning alerts as required on a daily, weekly/monthly basis.

Product availability and Inventory Planning

• Collaborate with Network inventory Planner and Supply Planner to ensure continuous replenishment of products from the PC (Factory) and import Hubs via OMP and SAP-APO planning process.
• Management of stock levels to ensure timely deliveries from the PC or Import HUBs for optimum inventory levels.
• Ensure freshness of inventory and good stock health via review/analysis of the stock reports from customers on a monthly basis. Formulating plan of actions for Excess/Obsolete stock and potential expiry.
• Left over Management of stock from PC/Hubs.
• Exception Management: Review of Supply planning alerts as required on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. Notify key members of the business of any low/potential out of stock situation.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Sales by providing and receiving input on a regular basis regarding product launches, portfolio optimization, rationale of commercial decisions, promotions and customer behavior.
• Ensure proper VAS/promo planning by engaging with Sales & Marketing, PC (Factory) team, Finance and
• Customer`s Supply Chain team to ensure on-time product availability.

Sales & Operational Planning

• Responsible for leading and providing inputs into the monthly S&OP meetings (Demand Review, PreS&OP and Executive S&OP) to ensure alignment of the demand and financial forecasts across the key business areas.
• Identify and advise the business of potential supply risks and opportunities in the forward plan. Assess mitigating options to close the supply risks/opportunities
• Take active part in Annual Business Plan Creation-Transforming financial targets into volumes and building a bottom-up forecast with commercial team for comparison with financial target.
• Lead the Launch and Relaunch process to ensure the right Phase-in Phase-out (PIPO) plan without out of stock.
• Track and analyze performance of NPDs on a monthly basis for first 6 months; highlighting deviations vs forecast, reviewing assumptions with the commercial team and updating demand forecast based on run-rate
• Manage the stock changeover of old and new products for Launches/Relaunches.
• Maintaining, updating and communicating the demand forecasting file as required on a daily/weekly/monthly basis to ensure all stakeholders are properly informed of current sales/volume phasing and inventory level.

IMS (Sell-out) Planning:

• Review and Analyze sell-out and customer stockholding data as key information to challenge proposed forecast and predict IMS trend.
• Collaborate with the National Sales Manager and Business Development Managers/Executives to review bottom-up data, analyze impactor and validate assumptions to ensure the right input and output from the IMS forecasting process.
• Engage with the Distribution Requirement Planner to ensure the right level of inventory are available at all customer warehouses. Share run rate, promo plan and forecast per SKUs to help with distribution planning.

Master Data Management

• Create and maintain the appropriate master data in the planning systems (OMP, SAP, PLM/PDM) minimizing errors, and avoiding duplication and obsolescence.
• Update Product Master Data in as new products are introduced, phased in/ out or discontinued.
• Creation of new NARTS,BOM's and Lot sizes for Values Added Services (VAS) products & new NARTS/product versions
• Ensure high integrity of the master data inputs for planning via monthly master data health check.

Continuous Improvement and Reporting

• Drive continuous improvement of the demand planning process and systems.
• Prepare, analyze and communicate the daily sales and stockholding report.
• Generate, validate and analyze all Demand planning (KPI) reports: FCA% M-3/ M-1/, FCB% M-1, DIH
• Write-downs, Service level and any other KPI as required.
• Prepare and report KPIs on a monthly basis to Planning Manager, Supply Chain Director and Regional Planning team.
• Ensuring key contributors as well as corrective actions are highlighted.

Requirements:

• University or similar degree – ideally in Engineering, Statistics & Mathematics or Other Sciences
• 3 - 5 years relevant experience in FMCG
• Advanced skill level in Microsoft office (Excel, Power point)
• Power BI knowledge is an advantage.
• Good knowledge of SAP Modules (R3, APODP, APO-SNP) – Knowledge of MM and BI will be advantageous.
• Excellent Analytical skills: High level of attention to detail and ability to work with a large volume of data.
• Strong organizational skills in strategy, execution and people management
• Clear communication (oral & written) and interpersonal skills
• A good understanding of Supply/Import/ Export Planning principles and standards