Demand Planner

OUP; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 400,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxford University Press is looking for a Demand Planner based in Cape Town. The role involves developing demand forecasts for local and import titles across Africa and requires strong analytical skills and experience in demand planning.

The ideal candidate should have a degree in Supply Chain or related fields, robust data analysis abilities, and experience with demand planning systems like SAP. Responsibilities include monitoring KPIs, collaborating cross-functionally, and facilitating the S&OP process.

Qualifications

• Degree in Supply Chain or equivalent practical experience in demand planning.
• Experience in demand planning or supply chain analytics roles.
• Strong data analysis skills and advanced Excel capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain demand forecasts for local and import titles.
• Facilitate cross-functional discussions to align assumptions.
• Monitor approval parameters and escalation thresholds.

Skills

Demand planning methodologies

Data analysis

Advanced Excel

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree in Supply Chain, Statistics, Data Analytics, Economics, Engineering

Tools

SAP

QlikSense

Excel

Job description

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Demand Planner (Permanent Role)

About the Role

Oxford University Press (OUP) has established an integrated global Manufacturing, Inventory, and Procurement Planning function, bringing together key supply chain activities to drive efficiency, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Working as part of the Inventory and Manufacturing team, this role is responsible for the demand plan for local and import titles across Africa.

You will be involved with the continuous Demand Review Process and will collaborate with colleagues from the Business, including Sales, Publishing, Content Operations, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing to understand the key upstream and downstream drivers within the end-to-end value chain.

This is a crucial role in ensuring customer needs are anticipated and that the business has planned sufficiently far ahead to meet the customer demand effectively. We are committed to a reduction in waste, reduction in inventory, and environmental footprint so an appreciation for these factors alongside our customer focused drivers will be key to the success of the applicant.

The Demand Planner will report to the Inventory and Manufacturing Manager. This post is based in Cape Town, at the Goodwood office.

In this role, you will:

Demand Planning and Forecasting

• Develop and maintain demand forecasts for local and import titles.
• Analyze historical sales, trends, seasonality, lifecycle changes, and promotional impacts.
• Integrate publishing plans and market intelligence into the forecast.
• Continuously refine methodologies.
• Own and run the Demand Review step of the S&OP cycle.
• Facilitate cross-functional discussions to challenge inputs and align assumptions.
• Document decisions, assumptions, and open actions for escalation or follow-up.

Decision Support, Governance and Escalation

• Monitor approval parameters and escalation thresholds.
• Escalate decisions that exceed agreed tolerance levels via S&OP forums.
• Clearly articulate risks, options, and recommendations without owning final approval.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Act as the single point of coordination for demand-related discussions.
• Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, Publishing, Content Operations, Supply Chain, and Finance.
• Set clear expectations for forecast inputs, timing, and data quality.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Define, track, and report demand planning KPIs.
• Perform root cause analysis for forecast errors and bias.
• Agree and track corrective actions with stakeholders.
• Contribute to SOPs, standardization, and capability development.

Systems & Data Management

• Use demand planning systems and reporting tools to build and track forecasts.
• Leverage SAP, QlikSense, Excel, and related tools for insight generation.
• Identify data or system gaps and collaborate with relevant teams to address them.

About You:

• Degree in Supply Chain, Statistics, Data Analytics, Economics, Engineering, or a related discipline (preferred), or equivalent practical experience in demand planning or supply chain roles.
• Experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain analytics roles.
• Solid understanding of demand planning, forecasting methodologies, and their operational and financial impacts.
• Experience working within an S&OP framework.
• Strong data analysis skills, including advanced Excel capability.
• Ability to facilitate and chair cross-functional meetings.
• Exposure to publishing, education, retail, FMCG, manufacturing, or similar industries advantageous.
• Working knowledge of demand planning and ERP systems (SAP is strongly advantageous).

Closing date: 13 July 2026

Oxford University Press, an equal opportunity employer, seeks a talented individual to fill this post based at Goodwood, Cape Town. Oxford University Press will consider all applications in terms of its Employment Equity Plan, which acknowledges the need for transformation.

We are committed to supporting diversity in our workforce, and ensuring an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and encourage applications from all.