Executive Planning

IFFCO Group; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FMCG company in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a Demand Planner with 3-5 years of supply chain experience, preferably in the FMCG sector. The Demand Planner will manage demand forecasting, channel communications between sales and supply, and lead monthly review meetings to ensure stock efficiency. Candidates should hold a degree in Business Administration or a related field, with preferable MBA in supply chain. Proficiency in Demantra and strong analytical skills are required.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in supply chain in reputed firms.
• Experience in FMCG companies will be preferred.
• At least 2 years of experience in demand planning.

Responsibilities

• Direct demand planning for maximum stock use consistent with efficiency and profitability.
• Channel all communication between demand and supply sides.
• Manage demand forecasting process and document assumptions.
• Prepare and maintain baseline forecasts using Demantra.
• Facilitate monthly Demand Review meetings.
• Communicate detailed sales forecasts to supply planning team.
• Identify and manage abnormal demand.
• Monitor actual sales against forecasts and recommend changes.

Skills

Demand forecasting

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Supply chain management

Education

Graduate of Business Administration/Logistics & Trade/International Business and Trade

MBA in supply chain (preferably)

Tools

Demantra

Job description

Responsibilities

To direct the demand planning to ensure the maximum use of available stocks consistent with efficiency, safety and profitability.

• Demand planner is the main point of contact between the demand side and supply side. All communication from the demand side (primarily sales, category marketing, trade marketing etc.) to the supply side (Supply Planner, manufacturing, BU scheduler, etc.) must be channeled through the demand planner.
• The demand planner needs to understand all aspects of demand forecasting including having a thorough understanding of the markets IFFCO operates within.
• Demand planner is responsible for managing the demand forecasting process that is the foundation for the development of highly accurate forecasts. Demand planner facilitates the generation of detailed product mix forecasts and captures and documents demand plan assumptions, risks, and opportunities.
• Using Demantra as the demand planning tool, the Demand Planner must utilize Demantra for preparing baseline forecasts and for capturing any ‘lift’ data. Maintaining the Demantra planning tool, including maintaining accurate planning data, is a fundamental responsibility.
• Facilitates the Demand Review meeting, the monthly meeting where head of sales, head of marketing, head of finance and Demand Planner will arrive at the unconstrained consensus forecast for the category. Demand Planner will be responsible for preparing all required documentation and analyses for the demand review meeting to be a forum for meaningful and realistic forecasting decisions.
• Assist in facilitating the monthly S&OP cycle including Demand Reviews, Pre‑S&OP and the executive S&OP meeting where the CEO, head of sales, head of marketing, head of finance and other senior management will sign off the demand and supply plans. The Demand Planner facilitates preparation of required documents and analysis for the S&OP planning cycle.
• Demand Planner communicates detailed sales forecast to supply planning team and works closely with supply planning team to resolve issues and decide on tradeoffs.
• Demand Planner identifies and manages abnormal demand – any demand that is large and unexpected and could be difficult to fulfill. Demand Planner will work closely with sales and supply chain to find ways to fulfill the demand as well as understand how such demand can be better anticipated.
• Review the sales forecast against actual sales and provide recommendation to supply planning for any changes required.
• Monitor actual sales against forecast – analyze the mean absolute percentage error to understand and correct any root causes for items with low forecast accuracy. This is a continuous improvement process.
• The demand manager is expected to review the product portfolio and stocks to recommend portfolio rationalization as well as highlight expiry risks and develop liquidation plans with the sales team.
• Monitoring the effectiveness of various promotions and helping the Sales and Marketing teams in designing effective promotions.
• Work with Sales, Marketing and other relevant teams on New Product launches.

KPIs

• Sales forecast accuracy (MAPE) and forecast bias
• Inventory level (days of finished goods inventory)
• Non‑moving inventory (% value of non‑moving inventory)
• Inventory obsolescence (% value of obsolete inventory)

Work Experience Requirements

• 3 – 5 years of experience in supply chain in reputed firms.
• Experience in FMCG companies will be preferred. At least 2 years of experience in demand planning.

Qualification

• Graduate of Business Administration/Logistics & Trade/International Business and Trade.
• Preferably MBA in supply chain.