Supply Planner Specialist

Unilever; Chennai District; On-site; INR 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Unilever is seeking a Supply Planner Specialist in Chennai to oversee day-to-day warehouse operations, inventory accuracy, and service levels across DCs and CFA locations. You will drive SOP compliance, process improvements, and cost optimization with internal teams and 3PL partners.

The role requires hands-on warehouse, logistics, and SAP/ERP experience, plus strong Excel/Power BI data analytics to support KPI visibility and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Graduate/Postgraduate in supply chain, logistics, or related discipline with 2–3 years in warehousing or logistics.
• Experience in FMCG, consumer goods, or 3PL operations preferred.
• Hands-on experience managing warehouses, transportation, inventory, and service providers.
• SAP/ERP knowledge, Excel, Power BI, WMS, and data analytics proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day warehouse operations across assigned DCs and CFA locations.
• Ensure SOPs, safety standards, quality requirements, and statutory compliance.
• Drive warehouse productivity, space utilization, put-away efficiency, picking accuracy, and dispatch performance.
• Monitor inventory accuracy and cycle counts; ensure FIFO/FEFO.
• Coordinate with Finance and Planning on inventory governance and stock adjustments.
• Drive network optimization and cost-saving initiatives with 3PL partners.

Skills

Leadership competencies

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Change management

Continuous improvement mindset

Education

Graduate/Postgraduate in supply chain, Logistics, Engineering, Operations Management, or related discipline

Tools

SAP / ERP knowledge

Advanced Excel

Power BI

Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)

Inventory Management

Data Analytics and Dashboard Reporting

Job description

Business Title: Supply Planner Specialist Location: Chennai Regional Office

ABOUT UNILEVER: Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose‑led business. Work with brands that are well‑loved around the world, that strive to improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us every day. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you!

Key Responsibilities

• Warehouse Operations
  • Manage day‑to‑day warehouse operations across assigned DCs and CFA locations.
  • Ensure adherence to SOPs, safety standards, quality requirements, and statutory compliance.
  • Drive warehouse productivity, space utilization, put‑away efficiency, picking accuracy, and dispatch performance.
  • Ensure optimal utilization of warehouse infrastructure, automation, conveyors, and MHE equipment.
  • Lead warehouse audits and ensure closure of audit observations.
• Inventory Management
  • Maintain high inventory accuracy through regular cycle counts and reconciliation.
  • Monitor stock ageing, slow‑moving inventory, damages, and write‑offs.
  • Ensure FIFO/FEFO compliance across all product categories.
  • Drive inventory productivity and minimize stock losses.
  • Coordinate with Finance and Planning teams on inventory governance and stock adjustments.
• Transportation & Distribution
  • Manage secondary transportation operations to achieve service and cost targets.
  • Ensure vehicle placement as per dispatch plans and business requirements.
  • Monitor transporters' performance, vehicle turnaround time, detentions, POD compliance, and freight efficiency.
  • Drive network optimization and loadability improvement initiatives.
  • Ensure timely dispatch of customer orders and STO movements.
• Service & Customer Excellence
  • Deliver agreed service levels across GT, MT, QCom,E-commerce, CSD, and Key Accounts.
  • Coordinate closely with Customer Service, Planning, Sales, and Finance teams to resolve execution challenges.
  • Monitor fulfilment KPIs and implement corrective actions for service gaps.
  • Support peak season planning and execution.
• Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Management
  • Manage warehouse and transport service providers.
  • Conduct regular performance reviews with 3PL partners.
  • Ensure contractual compliance and SLA adherence.
  • Drive productivity improvements and cost‑saving initiatives through vendor collaboration.
• Cost & Productivity Management
  • Deliver annual logistics cost targets.
  • Identify and implement warehouse and freight optimization projects.
  • Drive continuous improvement projects focused on productivity, automation, digitalization, and process simplification.
  • Monitor warehouse cost, freight cost, manpower productivity, and overall cost-to-serve.
• Safety, Quality & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with EHS standards and company safety policies.
  • Conduct safety reviews, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
  • Drive a Zero Harm culture across warehouse and transport operations.
  • Ensure statutory compliance related to warehousing and transportation activities.
• People Management
  • Lead DC warehouse executive, warehouse supervisors, operational teams, and outsourced manpower.
  • Develop capability‑building plans and training programs.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, continuous improvement, and operational discipline.
  • Drive employee engagement and performance management initiatives.
• Digital & Continuous Improvement
  • Support Digital DC initiatives and automation projects.
  • Drive dashboard governance, KPI visibility, and operational reviews.
  • Lead process improvement projects to improve service, productivity, and cost efficiency.
  • Champion digital adoption and data‑driven decision‑making across operations.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Service Day 0 Dispatch %
• Dispatch Compliance
• Allocation to Invoice Gap Operations
• Warehouse Productivity
• Throughput
• Loadability
• MHE Utilization
• Inventory Accuracy
• Buffer Compliance
• Detention
• POD Compliance
• TAT
• DOT Safety
• Near Miss Reporting Rate
• Unsafe Act / Unsafe Condition Closure %
• Forklift/MHE Safety Compliance %
• Driver Safety Training Compliance %
• Safety Audit Compliance
• Cost Logistics Cost vs Budget
• Productivity Savings
• Warehouse Cost Efficiency

Qualification & Experience

Education • Graduate/Postgraduate in supply chain, Logistics, Engineering, Operations Management, or related discipline.

Experience

• 2 to 3 years of experience in Warehousing, Logistics, Distribution, or Supply Chain Operations.
• Experience in FMCG, Consumer Goods, Retail, or 3PL operations preferred.
• Hands-on experience managing warehouses, transportation, inventory, and service providers.

Technical Skills

• SAP / ERP knowledge
• Advanced Excel and Power BI
• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
• Inventory Management
• Data Analytics and Dashboard Reporting

Leadership Competencies

• Customer Focus
• Operational Excellence
• Problem Solving
• Stakeholder Management
• Cost Consciousness
• Team Leadership
• Change Management
• Continuous Improvement Mindset.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

Better Business. Better World. Better You. We’ve been pioneers, innovators and future‑makers for over 120 years.