Job Summary:
The Supply and Demand Planner is responsible for developing accurate demand forecasts and translating them into executable supply plans that ensure product availability while optimizing inventory, production capacity, and overall supply chain costs. The role collaborates closely with Sales, Marketing, Production, Procurement, Logistics, Finance, and Customer Service to achieve service level targets and support business growth through effective Sales and Operations Planning (S&O).
Key Responsibilities:
I. Demand Planning
- Develop and maintain rolling demand forecasts using historical sales, market intelligence, promotional activities, and customer insights.
- Monitor forecast accuracy and identify opportunities to improve forecasting performance.
- Analyze demand trends, seasonality, and customer buying patterns.
- Conduct demand review meetings with Sales and Commercial teams.
- Perform root cause analysis for significant forecast variances.
II. Supply Planning
- Translate demand forecasts into production and replenishment plans.
- Develop supply plans considering production capacity, material availability, inventory targets, and service level requirements.
- Coordinate with Production, Procurement, and Logistics to ensure timely product availability.
- Monitor supply risks and recommend mitigation plans.
III. Inventory Management
- Maintain optimal inventory levels while minimizing stockouts and excess inventory.
- Recommend safety stock and reorder point adjustments.
- Monitor inventory aging and shelf-life performance.
- Analyze slow-moving and obsolete inventory and recommend corrective actions.
IV. Sales & Operations Planning (S&O)
- Support the monthly S&O process by preparing demand and supply analyses.
- Facilitate alignment between Sales, Operations, Procurement, Finance, and Logistics.
- Present planning assumptions, risks, and recommendations to management.
- Develop scenario analyses to support business decisions.
V. Data Analysis and Reporting
- Develop dashboards and planning reports.
- Monitor and report supply chain KPIs.
- Conduct trend, variance, and root cause analyses.
- Provide actionable insights to improve planning performance.
VI. Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve planning processes and system utilization.
- Participate in supply chain improvement initiatives.
- Leverage AI and digital tools to improve forecast accuracy and planning efficiency.
- Recommend automation opportunities for repetitive planning activities.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in one of the following: Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, or Information Systems
- Minimum of 3 to 5 years of work experience in Demand Planning, Supply Planning, Production Planning, Inventory Planning, or Supply Chain Planning.
- Experience in FMCG, food manufacturing, agriculture, poultry, dairy, retail, or consumer goods is preferred.
Experience participating in S&O or Integrated Business Planning (IBP) processes is an advantage.
Required Skills:
- Planning & Supply Chain: Demand & production forecasting, supply & capacity planning, inventory optimization, MRP, S&O
- Technical Skills: Advanced Excel, Power BI/Tableau, ERP (SAP/Oracle/MS Dynamics), SQL, AI forecasting tools
- Analytical Skills: Statistical forecasting, trend & root cause analysis, scenario planning, data-driven decisions
- Business Skills: Financial awareness, KPI management, process improvement, risk assessment, project coordination
- Soft Skills: Clear communication, problem-solving, stakeholder collaboration, attention to detail, time management, adaptability