Demand & Supply Planner

Kao Chemicals Europe; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Learning & development programs

Health & wellbeing initiatives

Parental leave (16 weeks)

Discounted products

Job summary

Kao Melbourne is seeking a talented Supply & Demand Planner to join our AUNZ Supply Chain team. You will partner across functions to develop aligned forecasts across the planning horizon, coordinating purchasing, supply, and inventory to meet demand and service targets.

Based in Melbourne, you will work within a hybrid team with strong collaboration, data-driven decision making, and opportunities for development, while supporting major beauty brands and contract manufacturing partners.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of experience in supply and demand planning within FMCG/beauty sectors.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Business or Supply Chain.
• APICS CPIM qualification welcome but not essential.
• Experience with SAP or similar ERP and producing stakeholder reports.
• Advanced Excel and strong analytical skills; able to present data clearly.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate purchasing and supply to meet demand and maintain service targets.
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing to align forecasts and promotional activity.
• Manage seasonal launches, discontinuations, and inventory planning.
• Work with contract manufacturers to align production with forecast demand.
• Report on service levels, inventory, and forecast accuracy to support decisions.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Strong communication

ERP systems

SAP

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Business, Supply Chain or a similar field

Tools

SAP

MS Excel

Job description

Kao is built on a strong heritage of innovation and a cultural philosophy to always walk the right path. With over 130 years of experience, we’ve become a global leader in the FMCG industry, committed to providing care and enrichment to both people and the planet. Behind iconic brands like Bondi Sands, Bioré, John Frieda, Curel, Biozet Attack, Goldwell, Oribe and KMS, we’re making everyday routines feel extraordinary.

Love turning insights into action? Join our AUNZ Supply Chain team as a Supply & Demand Planner, combining data, collaboration and planning know-how to keep our iconic brands moving.

The Role

Reporting to the Senior Planning Manager, you will play a critical role in end-to-end planning for some of the major beauty brands in our portfolio. You will partner across functions to develop an aligned forecast across the full planning horizon. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Supply planning: Coordinate purchasing and supply to meet demand and exceed agreed service targets. Maintain contracts, pricing and source lists, consolidate raw chemical orders and minimise obsolete stock.
• Demand planning: Partner with Sales and Marketing to align sales forecasts and promotional activity. Manage products in planning systems and take ownership of monthly forecast accuracy and long-term demand planning.
• Inventory management:Coordinate new product launches, discontinuations, version changes and promotional packs. Prioritise local rework and work with Sales anSupply planning: Coordinate purchasing and supply to meet demand and exceed agreed service targets. Maintain contracts, pricing and source lists, consolidate raw chemical orders and minimise obsolete stock.
• Contract manufacturing:Work closely with contract manufacturers to agree supply plans, schedule and prioritise production, and align raw material availability with forecast demand.
• Reporting and insights:Report on service levels, inventory, forecast accuracy and projected stock to support informed planning decisions and business visibility.

About You

You are a collaborative team player who is confident taking the lead and thrives in a fast paced environment. With strong communication and negotiation skills, you build effective stakeholder relationships and bring an organised approach to planning, prioritising and managing your time. You are driven to achieve results and take care in how you plan and deliver your work.

You will also bring

• At least 2-3 years of experience in supply and demand planning within the FMCG or beauty / personal care industries
• A bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Science, Business, Supply Chain or a similar field
• An APICS CPIM qualification is welcome, but not essential
• Experience with SAP or a similar ERP system, including producing reports for stakeholders
• Advanced Excel and strong analytical skills, with the ability to present data clearly and influence business decisions
• A sense of urgency and strong attention to detail, without losing sight of the bigger picture
• The flexibility to embrace change and work confidently through ambiguity
• An independent, goal-oriented approach, with the initiative to drive improvements and deliver results

Our offer to you

Based in our offices in Melbourne, you will join a collaborative, and dedicated hybrid team. You will be rewarded with a competitive salary package, great learning & development programs, health & wellbeing initiatives & leave benefits (including 16 weeks parental leave for the primary carer!), discounted products, a glowing culture & team, and the rare opportunity to contribute your expertise to market leading brands!

Kao Corporation is committed to creating a diverse workplace that provides an equal opportunity for all. We value talent of diverse backgrounds and experiences at Kao and encourage all to apply to become a part of our journey.

How we work

Having been selected among the World´s Most Ethical Companies for 19 consecutive years, we are a company with a purpose and strong corporate values. We never compromise on quality and craft our products with care for the consumer and the environment. At Kao, each employee can actively shape their job and their career. We work collaboratively to achieve our common goals, always aiming to deliver the best for our customers.

What we offer

A friendly and flexible work environment with competitive salaries, benefits package, ongoing development and the opportunity to enhance your skills and deliver tangible results. At Kao your voice will be heard. Your opinion really counts. We believe that change comes from taking opportunities into your own hands, so we value and reward entrepreneurial thinking and innovation.

Hiring Process

Kao embraces the diversity and the individual personalities of its people because we believe it is diversity that makes us strong. This is why we welcome applications from all areas of the global community.

Want to learn more

If you feel you are as unique as our products and want to find out why 33,000 people across the globe opted for a career with us please visit our Americas website (https://www.kao.com/americas/en/).