CENTRAL DEMAND PLANNER

Overview:

Responsible for execution of monthly sales forecasting process based on statistical data enhanced with input from monthly consensus meetings with marketing and finance offices and collaboration by full-circle feedback with supply planning for stock readiness and inventory management. Further, through these channels, drive forecast improvement and optimization.

Tasks Summary & Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the monthly demand planning execution drumbeat which includes the enhancement of statistical forecast and facilitate monthly demand review calls with marketing team for project-driven demand.
• Adjust and validate the forecasts based on the collaborative information from key stakeholders and hold a handshake meeting with commercial office to ensure market and finance alignment.
• Review final output with supply planning prior to forecast upload in preparation of any ramp-up and ramp-down activities to enhance supply readiness and inventory management.
• Be up to date with NPI (New Product Introduction) offers and activities in order to align market expectations and timeline with forecast in the system.
• Coordinate product life cycle changes such as obsolescence, replacements, new offers, projects, or promotions of the business across both commercial and supply chain team.
• Measure and analyse forecast accuracy at multi-levels (material, product line, business) and work with the necessary stakeholders to drive improvement.
• Participate in S&OP activities to monitor demand planning performance and highlight critical product lines or projects that will need support from supply chain team.
• Act as the mediator between supply chain and commercial office on pushing forecast realization, as well as, ensuring supply availability for critical orders/projects.
• Take ownership of the demand planning function and drive actions that are aligned with business goals and KPIs

Qualifications:

• Degree /Diploma in Business, Supply Chain, Industrial Engineering or equivalent
• SAP (or other ERP software) – 1-2 years
• SAP Integrated Business Planning software (or other demand planning software) – 1-2 years
• Understanding of MRP – 1-2 years
• Planning and experience in Demand Forecasting – 1-2 years
• Understanding of S&OP – 1-2 years
• Experience with data management, reporting, and analysis using tools at least using Excel VLOOKUP, Pivot, IF, and mathematical functions
• Experience with SAP Integrated Business Planning Demand software
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail. Needs to be detail-oriented with given importance to accuracy
• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively and confidently with cross-functional global teams and stakeholders
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, managing multiple priorities and following drumbeats and deadlines effectively
• Able and willing to work necessary hours to meet all project deadlines, travel when necessary.
• Able to modify working hours to accommodate global time zones.
• Develop mutually beneficial, respectful, and effective relationships with peers to ensure seamless coordination between departments, maximize synergy, and maintain a shared vision, strategy, and focus.