Business Demand Planner (Bellville )

Econofoods; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the FMCG sector is seeking a Business Demand Planner in Bellville to manage stock quality and forecasting. The role involves strategic planning, supply chain optimization, and collaboration across teams to drive sales and profitability. Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3 years' experience in demand planning or inventory management.

Qualifications

• Proven 3+ years of experience in category planning, demand planning, or inventory management.
• Ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Management of multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage the stock quality and quantity to optimize sales and profit growth.
• Drive accurate demand forecasting.
• Communicate effectively regarding stock challenges.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Technical Skills

Problem-Solving Abilities

Interpersonal Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

Matric certificate or equivalent qualification

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job title : Business Demand Planner (Bellville )

Job Location : Western Cape, BellvilleDeadline : June 02, 2025Quick Recommended Links

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PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

• The purpose of the Business Demand Planner is to manage the stock quality and quantity in support of the category and supply chain strategy through effective planning and forecasting of sales, cost of sales, purchases, and stock, thereby ensuring continued sales and profit growth whilst optimizing working capital.
  
  

Requirements

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy planning and operational execution
• Demand forecasting
• Supply chain and stock optimization
• Order and Replenishment management
• Supplier/customer management
• Stock Management of stock days ageing stock, over stock and short deliveries
  
  

OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE AREAS

• Plans ordering and delivery cycles to ensure stock level, working capital and DC space utilization are optimized.
• Drives accurate replenishment ordering through accurate demand forecasting.
• Manages direct and tranship demand forecasts
• Provides category buyers with historical performance and forecast information on promotional items
• Provides category buyers with historical performance and forecast information for deal buy-in and promotion items and agrees these forecasts with Buyer before implementing.
• Tracks in-stock and overstock performance ensuring forecast accuracy
• Promotion Performance (actual vs planned) – to be reviewed - buyers function
• Drives ordering process per supplier/category to ensure efficiency allowances are maximized.
• Category stock level performance stock turn & days forward cover actual vs budget/target. -team effort
• In-stock performance for warehouse & retail
• Supplier Fill-rate and delivery performance. Communicate weekly/monthly issues concerns through to buyers
• Execute buy in order qty input on all special buy-in orders to given by the buyer to ensure profitability and in-stock. (buy-in ahead of price increase, production issues, supplier operational closures).
• Reviews store requests for significant stock qty requests – to be signed off by Demand planning manager
• Stock Levels in line with Days forward cover and stock turn – min max governance
• Making use of the stock pulse system to effectively manage on hand accuracy
• Effective, timeous, communication to the business regarding stock challenges as per SOP set out by Group Demand Planning Manager.
• Constant communication between Business Demand Planners and Retail Demand Planners regarding stock challenges
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Matric certificate or equivalent qualification.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Economics, or a related field.
• Proven 3+ years of experience in category planning, demand planning, inventory management, or a similar role in retail or FMCG.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with inventory management or ERP systems.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: Ability to identify challenges and develop practical solutions to address them.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Attention to Detail: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
  
  

Competencies Required

• Building and maintaining relationships with strong interpersonal skills - living out the company values and unique HO HOLA culture.
• Friendly, helpful, confident yet humble, and able to work well in a team.
• Ability to work in a highly competitive, fast past and dynamic environment.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English (written and verbal).
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft.
• Strong communication skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Store Keeping/Procurement jobs