Demand Planner

Job Description Position Overview: The Demand Planner will be responsible for forecasting product demand, ensuring that inventory levels align with the sales projections, and optimizing the flow of inventory across the organization. The role will require strong analytical skills, the ability to interpret sales data, collaborate with sales and operations teams, and manage demand forecasting processes for various sales channels. This person will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that the demand planning process supports overall business goals. Key Responsibilities: 1. Demand Forecasting & Planning: - Forecasting Demand: Generate and maintain accurate demand forecasts for finished goods (FGs) based on historical sales data, market trends, customer consumption patterns, and sales projections. - Collaborate with Sales Team: Work closely with the sales team to incorporate their insights into demand forecasts, ensuring that sales targets, promotional campaigns, and market dynamics are accounted for in the planning process. - Develop Forecasting Models: Utilize advanced forecasting models and tools to ensure that forecasts are data-driven, accurate, and aligned with business objectives. - Demand Review: Conduct monthly demand review meetings with key stakeholders to discuss forecast accuracy, market trends, and necessary adjustments to forecast demand. 2. Inventory Management & Optimization: - Align Inventory with Demand: Work with the Sales Operations Head to ensure that inventory levels are adjusted based on demand forecasts, ensuring that finished goods are available in the Fulfillment Centres (FCs) and production facilities as needed. - Ensure Stock Availability: Ensure that stock levels are maintained to meet customer orders without overstocking, reducing waste and ensuring profitability. - Collaborate with Procurement & Operations: Collaborate with the procurement and operations teams to align production and ordering schedules with the demand forecasts and inventory levels. 3. Data Analysis & Reporting: - Analyze Sales & Demand Data: Review historical sales data and trends to develop accurate forecasts for future demand, identifying potential risks and opportunities. - Forecast Accuracy Reports: Prepare and present regular reports on forecast accuracy, highlighting any deviations from actual sales and recommending actions to improve forecasting accuracy. - Track Consumption Patterns: Track and analyze consumption patterns across sales channels and identify any variations that may require adjustments to demand forecasts or inventory levels. 4. Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams: - Coordinate with Sales & Marketing: Work closely with the sales and marketing teams to understand upcoming promotions, seasonal demand spikes, or new product launches that could affect demand. - Collaborate with Supply Chain & Logistics: Coordinate with the supply chain and logistics teams to ensure that demand forecasts are aligned with production schedules and that any supply chain constraints are identified and addressed. - Provide Insights for Strategic Decisions: Offer actionable insights and recommendations on demand planning to assist in strategic decision-making, product assortment planning, and overall business strategy. 5. Continuous Improvement: - Demand Planning Process Optimization: Identify opportunities to improve the demand planning process by adopting new tools, improving collaboration with stakeholders, and refining forecasting methods. - Enhance Forecasting Techniques: Continuously refine forecasting models to improve accuracy, leveraging both qualitative insights and quantitative data. 6. Risk Management: - Identify Demand Risks: Identify any risks to meeting demand, including potential stockouts, production delays, or supply chain disruptions, and propose proactive mitigation strategies. - Adjust Forecasts for Variances: Regularly update demand forecasts to account for changes in market conditions, unexpected fluctuations in demand, or supply chain challenges. Qualifications and Requirements: Education & Experience: - Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field. - 3-8 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain management within a manufacturing or consumer goods environment. - Familiarity with sales forecasting, inventory management, and SAP. Skills & Competencies: - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, recognize trends, and make data-driven decisions. - Attention to detail and ability to manage complex data sets with high accuracy. - Proficiency in Excel and experience with demand forecasting software and SAP - Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams. - Knowledge of inventory management, demand forecasting, and sales trends analysis. - Proactive and solutions-oriented mindset, capable of identifying problems and developing efficient solutions. - Ability to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.