Demand Planner - Pharmaceutical

Mohamed N. Al Hajery and Sons Co. LTD; Kuwait; On-site; KWD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company in Kuwait is seeking a Demand Planner responsible for analyzing sales data, creating forecasts, and coordinating communication between suppliers and internal teams. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience in demand planning, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry, and be proficient in both English and Arabic.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in demand planning or forecast analysis.
• Preferred experience with forecasting in the pharmaceutical or biologics industry.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic languages.

Responsibilities

• Create, maintain, and communicate accurate product forecasts.
• Serve as the primary point of communication between customers and suppliers.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on sales data and demand forecasts.

Skills

Demand forecasting

Data analysis

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related field

Tools

SAP Integrated Business Planning

Job description

Overview

Responsible for analyzing sales data to create accurate demand forecasts and act as the central communication link between suppliers/principals, internal teams, and customers in both private and public sectors. The Demand Planner ensures seamless coordination, timely resolution of shipment issues, and accurate reporting to support informed decision-making in the pharmaceutical division.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Demand Planning Activities

• Demand Forecasting and Analysis
  • Create, maintain, and communicate accurate product forecasts, analyzing sales trends, and applying demand assumptions.
  • Review monthly sales data for all products/SKUs and track forecasts for pipeline products, identifying reasons for growth or decline in sales.
  • Collaborate with Sales Management to ensure current product listings and build market share assumptions, adjusting forecasts to align with production plans and customer allocation.
  • Provide analytical support for Revenue Management and Marketing teams, contributing to the monthly Demand Review and annual Sales Planning process.
  • Adopt and manage forecasting tools (e.g., SAP Integrated Business Planning, Discontinuation tracking, Forecast templates) to improve forecast accuracy continually.
  • Conduct portfolio-level analysis, recommending actions for SKU rationalization, product optimization, and profitability improvements.
  • Lead the communication with principal to arrange their annual forecast and keep updating on a monthly basis.
• Stakeholder Coordination and Communication
  • Serve as the primary point of communication between customers in private and public sectors, including KOC, MOH, and suppliers, to ensure smooth order processing and follow-up on purchase orders’ status.
  • Coordinate with suppliers and principals on any supply chain issues.
  • Track all shipment data, including invoicing, quantity, and regulatory compliance, proactively addressing and resolving issues by coordinating with relevant stakeholders.
  • Manage new product setup within the system and maintain up-to-date sales trend analysis.
  • Regularly communicate shipment statuses and updates with the Pharmaceutical and Supply Chain Directors.
  • Work as an intermediary between suppliers and the procurement team to resolve issues like expiries and Free of Charge (FOC) products, etc.

Compliance and Process Improvement

• Ensure compliance with internal policies, including the Global Business Ethics and Compliance Program, Global Quality policies, Safety and Environmental standards, and HR policies.
• Identify and implement process improvements within demand planning and communication processes to optimize efficiency and accuracy.

Reports

The Demand Planner is responsible for preparing comprehensive reports on sales data, demand forecasts, shipment statuses, and issue resolutions, ensuring that key stakeholders are informed and aligned with ongoing supply chain and compliance activities.

Qualifications and Skills

• Skills
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Business or a related field is preferred.
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in demand planning or forecast analysis.
  • Preferred experience with forecasting in the pharmaceutical or biologics industry.

Behavioral Competencies

• Planning and organizing
• Delegation
• Problem analysis and problem solving
• Decision making
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills

Language Skills

• Proficiency in English and Arabic languages.