Assistant Manager, Commercial Operations & Planning

Suu Balm: Good Pharma Dermatology; Philippines; Hybrid; PHP 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

Medical insurance

Wellness allowance

Paid time off

Product perks

Job summary

Suu Balm is seeking a commercial operations lead to drive distributor relationships, forecast demand, and optimize inventory across Malaysia. You will own reporting, drive improvements, and translate data into actionable recommendations for the Country Manager.

The role requires strong Excel and BI skills, experience with distributors like DKSH, and a background in FMCG or consumer health products. Hybrid work model and competitive compensation offered.

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Analytics, or a related discipline preferred.
• At least five years of relevant experience in commercial operations, demand planning, sales operations, inventory planning, supply chain, or distributor management.
• Experience independently managing a third-party distributor such as DKSH or a similar distributor.
• Experience in FMCG, beauty, healthcare, or consumer goods is preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP, and data analysis, are essential.
• Hands-on experience with Power Query, Power BI, or similar reporting and automation tools is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead distributor operations: manage day-to-day relationships with DKSH or other distributors.
• Oversee end-to-end inventory control and optimization across locations; forecast demand and plan inventory.
• Coordinate returns analysis and implement corrective actions to reduce write-offs.
• Own weekly/monthly commercial reporting for Malaysia; present insights to Country Manager.
• Drive automation of reports using Excel, Power Query, Power BI; improve data workflows.

Skills

Excel advanced

Power BI

Power Query

Forecasting

Distributor management

Education

Diploma or Bachelor's in Business/Supply Chain/Analytics

Tools

DKSH or similar distributor

Job description

We are a fast-growing consumer health product company on a mission to bring real relief to people with dry, itchy, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin. Developed at the National Skin Centre in Singapore, our uniquely differentiated skincare range has already made its mark in over 10 countries. With more than 3 million units sold and consistent double-digit year-on-year growth, we are a market leader in our niche and we are just getting started.

The Opportunity

You will lead the commercial operating rhythm for Suu Balm. Working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Retail, Finance, and Supply Chain, your overarching goal is to maintain product availability, control inventory risks, and improve overall business performance.

In this role, you will take ownership of:

• Distributor Operations: Independently managing the day-to-day operational relationship with DKSH or other third-party distributors.
• Inventory Control: Leading demand forecasting and inventory planning initiatives.
• Commercial Reporting: Owning the reporting process and actively managing product returns.
• Strategic Support: Translating complex sales and operational data into clear, actionable recommendations for the Country Manager.

Job Responsibilities

1. Distributor Operations

• Independently manage the day-to-day operational relationship with DKSH and/or third-party distributors as their main internal contact.
• Coordinate ordering, replenishment and deliveries, stock transfers, product launches, pricing changes, registrations, and product discontinuations.
• Resolve issues involving stock movements, orders, deliveries, invoicing, billing, credit notes, and inventory records.
• Track distributor service performance, elevate material risks, and drive timely corrective actions and process improvements.
• Maintain strong working relationships with distribution partners and ensure clear ownership and follow-through on agreed actions.

2. Inventory Control and Optimization

• Maintain end-to-end visibility of inventory across all storage locations, including the office, warehouse, and other storage sites in Peninsular and East Malaysia.
• Monitor stock availability, stock ageing, short-date product expiry dates, slow-moving inventory, and potential write-offs.
• Recommend actions to reduce stock-outs, overstocks, expired inventory, and unnecessary write-offs.
• Ensure inventory records are accurate and investigate stock variances or discrepancies with the relevant parties.
• Coordinate inventory requirements for marketing activities, event sampling, and retail programs.

3. Returns and Operational Improvement

• Partner with the Retail Team and our distributor to identify the root causes of retailer returns.
• Develop and track corrective actions to reduce avoidable returns and improve operational execution.
• Identify operational gaps and recommend improvements that support business efficiency and growth.

4. Commercial Reporting and Decision Support

• Own the weekly and monthly commercial reporting process for Malaysia.
• Prepare clear reports and analysis covering sales performance, sell-in and sell-out trends, store and SKU productivity, inventory, stock ageing, forecast accuracy, returns, distributor service performance, and other commercial data.
• Present operational updates, risks, and recommendations to the Country Manager to support decisions for the Malaysia market.
• Maintain accurate sales master data, including customer classifications, sales representative mapping, and product information.
• Translate large datasets into clear findings, practical recommendations, and follow-up actions.

5. Reporting Automation and Systems Improvement

• Automate recurring reports and improve data workflows using Excel, Power Query, Power BI, or similar tools.
• Improve sales order submission, reporting, master-data management, and other commercial processes.
• Reduce manual work, improve data accuracy, and create reliable reporting tools that teams can use consistently.

6. Others

Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Management in support of business operations and objectives.

Requirements

• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Analytics, or a related discipline preferred.
• At least five years of relevant experience in commercial operations, demand planning, sales operations, inventory planning, supply chain, or distributor management.
• Experience independently managing a third-party distributor such as DKSH or a similar distributor.
• Experience in FMCG, beauty, healthcare, or consumer goods is preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, XLOOKUP, and data analysis, are essential.
• Hands-on experience with Power Query, Power BI, or similar reporting and automation tools is preferred.
• Strong analytical problem-solving and commercial judgement.
• Takes ownership of responsibilities and sees initiatives through to completion.
• Able to present findings and recommendations clearly to management.
• Highly organized, accurate, and able to manage several stakeholders and priorities independently.

Key Success Measures

• Forecast accuracy and timely completion of the monthly forecast cycle.
• Healthy product availability with minimal avoidable stock-outs.
• Reduction in aged, expired, and written-off inventory.
• High inventory and master-data accuracy across all locations.
• Reduction in retailer returns through corrective actions.
• Accurate and timely weekly and monthly commercial reporting.
• More automated reporting and fewer manual processing errors.
• Strong distributor performance, timely issue resolution, and clear action ownership.
• Ability to clearly communicate operational updates, risks, and recommendations to the Country Manager to support decision-making for the Malaysia market

Why Make Your Next Career Move With Us?

We offer the stability of a highly successful brand combined with the agility of a fast-growing company. You will not be a small cog in a massive machine here. You will be at the center of the action. You will collaborate with talented teams across Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines, taking on meaningful projects where you can see the direct impact of your work on our global expansion.

How We Support and Reward You

We know a great job is about more than just a competitive paycheck. We believe in sharing our success and providing an environment where you can recharge and thrive.

• Financial Growth: Benefit from performance bonuses, company-wide profit-sharing, and a highly competitive base salary.
• Health and Wellness: Access comprehensive medical insurance and a dedicated wellness allowance to support your physical and mental well-being.
• Time to Recharge: Enjoy paid time off to relax and come back ready to shine.
• Product Perks: Receive a monthly allowance for Suu Balm products so you can personally experience the quality we deliver to our customers.
• Continuous Learning: Access education support and ongoing learning sessions to keep your career trajectory moving upward.