Demand Planner - Automotive Aftersales

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 156,000 - 246,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim Automotive in Dubai invites a Demand Planner to optimize aftermarket parts inventory. You will apply statistical forecasting, manage replenishment, analyze back orders, and drive stock efficiency across multiple brands.

You bring about 5 years in supply chain, experience with SAP and Syncron, and a strong track record in improving service levels and forecast accuracy within an automotive context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor or Master in supply chain or industrial engineering.
• Approximately 5 years of professional supply chain experience.
• Automotive aftersales, parts, or distribution experience preferred.
• Strong forecasting, replenishment and stock optimization skills.
• Experience with SAP and master data management (MDM).

Responsibilities

• Review and process back-to-back supplier orders within lead times.
• Monitor back orders and provide ETD/ETA information to customers.
• Analyze forecast variance and drive corrective actions.
• Coordinate with sales and ordering teams to reduce lost sales.
• Maintain SAP MDM master data and parts information.
• Prepare management reporting on inventory and demand planning.

Skills

Demand planning

Inventory planning

Automotive aftersales

Parts forecasting

Forecasting

Back order management

Excel

Branch stock health analysis

Forecast accuracy analysis

Microsoft PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Supply Chain Management or Industrial Engineering

Tools

SAP

SAP MDM

Syncron

ERP systems

Atlas or similar demand planning tools

Job description

Demand Planner - Automotive Aftersales Job Snapshot Role: Demand Planner - Automotive Aftersales Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates Industry: Automotive Function: Inventory Planning and Management Experience: Approximately 5 years Job Type: Full-time

Position Overview Demand Planner - Automotive Aftersales in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is an Automotive opportunity focused on improving inventory availability, forecast accuracy, service levels, and stock efficiency across Al-Futtaim Automotive 's aftersales operations. The role is suited to an experienced supply chain professional who can manage demand planning, branch replenishment, back orders, lost sales analysis, forecasting, and inventory performance while supporting a large and commercially significant parts portfolio.

Job Details Country: United Arab Emirates City: Dubai Industry: Automotive Function: Inventory Planning and Management Salary: 14000-22000 Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer. Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Demand Planner helps balance customer service expectations with responsible inventory investment across the automotive aftersales network. Working within the Global Aftersales team, the role combines statistical forecasting, operational order management, branch support, master data control, and performance reporting. Strong demand visibility and accurate planning are essential because the position contributes to the management of inventory valued at approximately USD 100 million while ensuring customers and branches receive parts when required.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and process back-to-back supplier orders and ensure dispatch occurs within agreed lead times.
• Monitor outstanding back orders and provide accurate ETD and ETA information to relevant customers and stakeholders.
• Assess risks associated with bulk order quantities and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Follow up with vendors regarding delayed or overdue supply commitments.
• Maintain same-day order processing standards and keep back order and ETA tracking records current.
• Process recall and redistribution orders across the branch network.
• Monitor automated replenishment activities and support availability of stocked automotive parts at branch level.
• Track branch service performance and coordinate with branch representatives when availability or replenishment issues arise.
• Review branch stock health reports and take action to protect service index performance.
• Collect market intelligence and incorporate commercial information into statistical forecasting models.
• Measure forecast variance and recommend corrective actions to the Ordering and Inventory Team.
• Analyze sales patterns for key branches and customers to refine future demand plans.
• Review Syncron alerts related to changes in demand, lead times, forecasts, and branch requirements.
• Evaluate customer inquiries and lost sales data to identify opportunities for improved parts availability and additional revenue.
• Investigate root causes affecting stocked and non-stocked item performance.
• Coordinate with sales and ordering teams to reduce lost sales and unnecessary local purchases.
• Maintain parts master information in accordance with approved standards using SAP MDM.
• Track service levels, forecast accuracy, branch stock health, back order aging, local purchase value, and lost sales across brands.
• Prepare management reporting packs and communicate inventory and demand planning performance to senior stakeholders.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives using structured problem-solving and continuous improvement methods.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor 's or Master 's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, or an equivalent discipline.
• Approximately 5 years of professional experience in supply chain management, demand planning, inventory management, or a closely related field.
• Automotive sector experience is strongly preferred, particularly within parts, aftersales, or distribution operations.
• Strong understanding of inventory planning principles, replenishment processes, forecasting, order management, and stock optimization.
• Practical experience with ERP platforms such as SAP.
• Familiarity with SAP MDM and master data maintenance is advantageous.
• Experience using demand planning tools such as Syncron is highly relevant.
• Advanced ability to analyze sales trends, branch demand patterns, service levels, and inventory performance.
• Capable of preparing management reports and presenting findings to senior leadership.
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience in continuous improvement activities.
• Comfortable working within agile and cross-functional operating environments.
• Able to coordinate effectively with vendors, branches, sales teams, ordering teams, and internal stakeholders.

Skills Set

• Demand planning
• Inventory planning
• Automotive aftersales
• Parts forecasting
• Statistical forecasting
• Syncron
• SAP
• SAP MDM
• ERP systems
• Inventory optimization
• Auto replenishment
• Back order management
• ETD and ETA tracking
• Branch stock health analysis
• Forecast accuracy analysis
• Lost sales analysis
• Service level monitoring
• Parts master data
• Order processing
• Supplier coordination
• Risk assessment
• Management reporting
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Projects
• Continuous improvement
• Process improvement
• Agile working
• Business analysis

Why Join Us

This role offers the opportunity to influence a substantial automotive parts inventory and contribute directly to service quality, working capital efficiency, customer satisfaction, and revenue protection. Exposure to multiple brands, advanced planning systems, branch operations, supplier coordination, and senior-level reporting provides a strong platform for further growth in demand planning, inventory strategy, and regional aftersales supply chain management. The scale and stability of Al-Futtaim Automotive also provide valuable experience within one of the region 's established mobility businesses.

About the Company

Al-Futtaim is a diversified privately held regional group headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with operations across automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare. Al-Futtaim Automotive represents a major part of the group 's portfolio, supporting vehicle sales, aftersales services, parts distribution, customer care, and mobility solutions across several established automotive brands.