Demand Supply Planning Manager

Rituals (B Corp™); Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Rituals Middle East is seeking a Senior Demand Planning professional to lead regional forecasting and inventory optimization as the company transitions toward a Joint Venture. You will translate commercial plans into SKU-level forecasts and manage replenishment from European distribution centers into GCC markets, aiming to maximize availability while controlling inventory costs.

Reporting to the Head of Supply Chain, you will drive forecast accuracy, lead S&OP cross-functional workstreams with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, Finance, or related discipline.
• 6-9 years of experience in Demand Planning, Merchandising, Inventory Planning, or Supply Chain, preferably within beauty, retail, or consumer goods.
• Proven experience managing planning activities in demand forecasting, S&OP, inventory optimization, replenishment, and stock management across multiple Middle East markets.
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle management, assortment planning and inventory productivity.
• Good understanding of inventory dynamics including shelf life, expiry, product launches, variants, testers, and promotional packs.
• Strong expertise in forecasting, inventory optimization, merchandise planning and Open-to-Buy management
• Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to analyse category, product and market performance and translate insights into business actions.
• Advanced analytical skills with experience developing executive reporting, dashboards and business performance reviews.
• Experience working with Power BI, ERP and planning systems together with advanced Excel and business intelligence tools.
• Strong commercial understanding with the ability to assess the impact of demand decisions on sales, margin, inventory, and working capital.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to partner effectively across regional and global teams.

Responsibilities

• Own the regional forecasting process, ensuring high forecast accuracy across all channels and markets.
• Lead monthly demand review and forecast alignment with Commercial, Retail and Marketing teams.
• Drive continuous improvement of forecasting methodologies using historical trends, commercial intelligence and product lifecycle analysis.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and bias while implementing initiatives to improve planning performance.
• Develop monthly and seasonal demand forecasts across brands, SKUs, countries, stores, and channels.
• Analyze sales trends, store demand, seasonality, promotions, product launches, customer behavior, and market changes to improve forecast accuracy.
• Translate commercial plans into SKU-level forecasts, replenishment requirements, and inventory needs.
• Develop demand plans for new launches, promotional campaigns, festive periods, and store openings.
• Create demand scenarios and assess the impact on sales, margin, inventory, and working capital.
• Develop inventory strategies that maximize product availability while optimizing working capital.
• Ensure the right balance between customer service levels, inventory investment and commercial objectives.
• Manage replenishment planning from European distribution centres into the Middle East.
• Monitor stock availability, weeks of cover, ageing inventory and replenishment performance across all GCC markets.
• Lead initiatives to minimize obsolete inventory and maximize sell-through while protecting gross margin.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and identify drivers of variance, including sales movements, delayed launches, promotional performance, and supply constraints.
• Maintain appropriate stock cover while minimizing out-of-stocks, excess inventory, ageing stock, and potential expiry.
• Manage inventory risks including shelf life, batch expiry, product discontinuation, testers, samples, promotional packs, and slow-moving shades or variants.
• Recommend stock reallocations, replenishment adjustments, markdowns, promotions, or order cancellations based on changes in demand.
• Monitor product availability and inventory health to ensure effective stock utilization across the business.

Skills

Demand forecasting

S&OP

Inventory optimization

Power BI

Excel

ERP systems

Stakeholder management

Open-to-Buy

Product lifecycle

Merchandise planning

Data analytics

Commercial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management / related field

Tools

Power BI

ERP systems

Planning systems

Excel

Job description

Rituals is entering a new phase in the Middle East. Starting in 2026, we are transitioning from a franchise model to a new Joint Venture. This strategic step strengthens our long‑term commitment and enables us to further build our omnichannel brand with a strong local presence.

Reporting to the Head of Supply Chain, you will be responsible for developing accurate demand forecasts by translating commercial plans, customer trends, and market insights into SKU-level inventory requirements. The position leads the demand planning process within S&OP, balancing product availability with inventory productivity while proactively managing stock risks. Working closely with Buying, Merchandising, European Supply Chain teams, Finance, Marketing and Retail Operations, the role drives forecast accuracy, informed inventory decisions, and continuous improvement in planning capabilities.

Your Role

1. Demand Forecasting & Planning

• Own the regional forecasting process, ensuring high forecast accuracy across all channels and markets.
• Lead monthly demand review and forecast alignment with Commercial, Retail and Marketing teams.
• Drive continuous improvement of forecasting methodologies using historical trends, commercial intelligence and product lifecycle analysis.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and bias while implementing initiatives to improve planning performance.
• Develop monthly and seasonal demand forecasts across brands, SKUs, countries, stores, and channels.
• Analyze sales trends, store demand, seasonality, promotions, product launches, customer behavior, and market changes to improve forecast accuracy.
• Translate commercial plans into SKU-level forecasts, replenishment requirements, and inventory needs.
• Develop demand plans for new launches, promotional campaigns, festive periods, and store openings.
• Create demand scenarios and assess the impact on sales, margin, inventory, and working capital.

2. Inventory Optimization & Demand Performance

• Develop inventory strategies that maximize product availability while optimizing working capital.
• Ensure the right balance between customer service levels, inventory investment and commercial objectives.
• Manage replenishment planning from European distribution centres into the Middle East.
• Monitor stock availability, weeks of cover, ageing inventory and replenishment performance across all GCC markets.
• Lead initiatives to minimize obsolete inventory and maximize sell‑through while protecting gross margin.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and identify drivers of variance, including sales movements, delayed launches, promotional performance, and supply constraints.
• Maintain appropriate stock cover while minimizing out‑of‑stocks, excess inventory, ageing stock, and potential expiry.
• Manage inventory risks including shelf life, batch expiry, product discontinuation, testers, samples, promotional packs, and slow‑moving shades or variants.
• Recommend stock reallocations, replenishment adjustments, markdowns, promotions, or order cancellations based on changes in demand.
• Monitor product availability and inventory health to ensure effective stock utilization across the business.

3. S&OP & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead the demand review within the S&OP process, ensuring alignment across Buying, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing and Retail Operations.
• Coordinate with suppliers and Supply Chain teams on lead times, minimum order quantities, shipment schedules, and supply constraints.
• Ensure commercial plans, inventory requirements, and supply capabilities are aligned to support business objectives.
• Highlight demand and supply risks proactively and work with relevant stakeholders to agree corrective actions.
• Develop dashboards and provide regular insights to senior management on demand, forecast performance, availability, inventory health, and key business risks.
• Drive improvements in forecasting tools, master data accuracy, planning processes, and reporting discipline.
• Establish clear forecasting ownership and planning accountability across relevant stakeholders.
• Build team capability and strengthen demand planning practices through structured processes, performance reviews, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Bring?

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 6-9 years of experience in Demand Planning, Merchandise Planning, Inventory Planning, or Supply Chain, preferably within beauty, retail, or consumer goods.
• Proven experience managing planning activities in demand forecasting, S&OP, inventory optimization, replenishment, and stock management across multiple Middle East markets.
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle management, assortment planning and inventory productivity.
• Good understanding of inventory dynamics including shelf life, expiry, product launches, variants, testers, and promotional packs.
• Strong expertise in forecasting, inventory optimization, merchandise planning and Open-to-Buy management
• Excellent commercial acumen with the ability to analyse category, product and market performance and translate insights into business actions.
• Advanced analytical skills with experience developing executive reporting, dashboards and business performance reviews.
• Experience working with Power BI, ERP and planning systems together with advanced Excel and business intelligence tools.
• Strong commercial understanding with the ability to assess the impact of demand decisions on sales, margin, inventory, and working capital.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to partner effectively across regional and global teams.

Why Join Us?

Because you want to build something that matters. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the Supply Chain Planning function of Rituals Middle East as we embark on an exciting new chapter.

You’ll work with passionate, entrepreneurial colleagues, influence key business decisions and help build one of the region’s most inspiring premium retail brands.

"We're not here to sell you beauty; we are here to make you feel good."