Demand & Purchasing Manager

Lifestrong Marketing Inc.; Caloocan; On-site; PHP 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifestrong Marketing Inc. in the Philippines is seeking a Demand & Purchasing Manager to lead demand planning, inventory optimization, and strategic sourcing to ensure product availability and cost efficiency.

You will oversee forecasting, S&OP, supplier performance, and purchasing operations, coordinating with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Logistics to support growth and new product launches. This role requires strong leadership, data-driven decision making, and the ability to manage complex

Responsibilities

• Develop monthly, quarterly, and annual demand forecasts using historical data, trends, promotions.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and improve forecasting methodologies.
• Lead S&OP to align commercial plans with supply capabilities.
• Maintain rolling forecasts and order plans to support procurement.
• Oversee procurement from PR to PO and negotiate with suppliers.
• Manage supplier performance, accreditation, and cost analyses.
• Coordinate replenishment for imported and local products.
• Ensure material availability for orders, launches, and campaigns.
• Develop cost-saving procurement strategies and manage budgets.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Logistics, Finance.
• Drive process improvements and implement dashboards/KPI reporting.

Job description

Job Objective:

• The Demand & Purchasing Manager is responsible for leading the Company's demand planning and procurement functions to ensure uninterrupted product availability while optimizing inventory investment and procurement costs. The role oversees demand forecasting, inventory planning, sourcing, purchasing operations, supplier performance, and material availability to support business growth, new product development, and sales objectives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Demand Planning & Forecast Management

• Develop accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual demand forecasts using historical sales, market trends, promotions, and business insights.

• Monitor forecast accuracy (MAPE) and continuously improve forecasting methodologies.

• Lead the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process to align commercial plans with supply capabilities.

• Maintain rolling forecasts and Order Plans to support procurement and inventory requirements.

• Generate demand planning reports and recommendations for Management.

Inventory Planning & Supply Optimization

• Maintain optimal inventory levels to prevent stock-outs, excess inventory, and product obsolescence.

• Monitor Stocks-to-Sales Ratio (SSR), Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO), and inventory turnover.

• Coordinate replenishment planning for imported and locally sourced products.

• Recommend inventory optimization strategies based on forecast changes and business requirements.

• Ensure material availability to support customer orders, marketing activities, and new product launches.

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

• Oversee the entire procurement process from Purchase Requisition to Purchase Order issuance.

• Develop sourcing strategies that achieve quality, cost, delivery, and service objectives.

• Evaluate and accredit suppliers based on capability, pricing, quality, compliance, and delivery performance.

• Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, payment terms, contracts, rebates, and service agreements.

• Maintain supplier cost databases, quotations, and landed cost analyses.

Supplier & Vendor Management

• Build strategic partnerships with local and international suppliers.

• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews covering quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost competitiveness.

• Resolve supplier issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.

• Ensure compliance with supplier agreements, procurement policies, and regulatory requirements.

• Maintain complete supplier accreditation and documentation.

Purchasing Operations

• Ensure timely procurement of raw materials, packaging materials, finished goods, marketing collaterals, office supplies, and operational requirements.

• Monitor Purchase Request (PR) and Purchase Order (PO) turnaround time.

• Ensure complete documentation for purchasing transactions.

• Oversee importation coordination, customs documentation, freight movements, and logistics requirements.

• Monitor On-Time In-Full (OTIF) supplier deliveries and implement corrective actions when necessary.

New Product Development (NPD) Support

• Ensure timely procurement of materials required for product launches.

• Coordinate supplier samples, packaging materials, artwork revisions, and product validation requirements.

• Support Stage Gate requirements and launch readiness.

• Ensure purchasing deliverables are completed within project timelines.

Financial & Cost Management

• Develop procurement strategies that achieve annual cost savings targets.

• Analyze landed costs, supplier pricing, and purchasing variances.

• Recommend alternative sourcing opportunities to improve margins.

• Coordinate with Finance regarding invoice validation, cost accuracy, and budget compliance.

• Manage departmental budgets and procurement expenditures.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Trade Marketing, Warehouse, Finance, Regulatory, Logistics, and Operations.

• Align procurement activities with sales forecasts and business priorities.

• Support promotional campaigns, seasonal demand, and business expansion initiatives.

• Provide regular updates on forecast accuracy, inventory risks, supplier performance, and purchasing status.

Process Improvement & Systems Development

• Improve forecasting models and procurement workflows.

• Implement dashboards and KPI reporting tools.

• Recommend automation opportunities to improve planning and purchasing efficiency.

• Ensure compliance with Procurement SOPs and Supply Chain policies.

• Participate in Annual Operating Plan (AOP), Supply Planning, and Continuous Improvement initiatives.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop Demand Planning and Purchasing personnel.

• Establish departmental KPIs and performance targets.

• Conduct regular coaching, performance evaluations, and capability development.

• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.