Demand Planner

Beiersdorf; Durban; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading skincare company in Durban is seeking an experienced professional for operational demand planning. The ideal candidate will hold a Master's degree and have at least 2-3 years in a similar role, preferably in FMCG. Key responsibilities include steering cross-functional S&OP meetings and reconciling demand forecasts to meet sales objectives. The position offers a chance to work with renowned brands and develop effective partnerships.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of a minimum of 2-3 years in operational demand planning.
• Strong ability to challenge existing work methods and adapt to change.
• Language: English is a must.

Responsibilities

• Steer cross-functional S&OP meetings.
• Reconcile demand forecast with financial sales and marketing plans.
• Monitor and manage stock of components at co-packers.

Skills

Statistical forecasting methods

SAP APO

Business analytics tools

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Decision-making skills

Education

Master's degree in economics, engineering, or related field

Tools

Power BI

Analysis for Office

PowerQuery

Job description

Your Tasks

S&OP

• Steer cross-functional S&OP meetings
• Ensure all stakeholders deliver required data (with underlying assumptions) on time
• Deliver an aligned S&OP plan (Consensus forecast) with full visibility of risks & opportunities, supported by building blocks and clear underlying assumptions
• Ensure S&OP is a decision-focused process, with clearly stated follow-up and action plans; document decisions

Demand planning

• Reconcile demand forecast with the latest financial, sales and marketing plans, ensuring the demand forecasts is aligned and supports reaching the company/s sales objectives
• As part of BAP (S&OE/S&OP) process, review the unconstrained demand plan with the COEs to identify capacity constraints and create an action plan to overcome potential issues ensuring maximisation of customer services at least costs
• In scope: S&OP, Standard with manual Planning, promotion Planning, New Product Planning, Forecast Enrichments
• Deliver the most accurate net demand, based on actual sales consumption, to provide to Supply Units information for the best decisions (DP PLIR)
• Perform planning systems maintenance, including maintaining of planning master data, history corrections, product like profiles and phase in/phase outs
• Ensure company can clearly distinguish between the plan/sales contribution of each forecasting process step by:
• 1 – Statistical forecast, generated by the central team, is not to be overwritten
• 2 – Enrichment of the statistical forecast > use available market/customer insights to enhance the accuracy/reliability of the forecast
• 3 – New product planning > Demand planner is fully responsible for sales forecasting of New Products (Demand Analyst has no role) Challenge launch volumes, in each step of IIM process, to achieve responsible 1st month pipeline fill vs expected monthly consumption and activation plans
• 4 – VAS promotions & Promotion planning > use the planning system as designed, plan the promotions separately to be able to identify promo uplift in the total plan, and challenge and adjust it when needed

VAS

• Involvement in the development of promotions
• Align with the Demand, Supply & cross-functional teams to ensure the on-time in-full and in-spec availability of repacked products, displays, giftpacks etc.
• Manage and coordinate the necessary VAS repacking capacity, through collaboration with third‑party co-packers
• Monitor and manage stock of components at co-packers
• Supplier (co‑packer) management
• Master data management (tbd which elements of the product/supplier master data) / Ensure excellent master data quality for all processes involved
• Continuously challenge process efficiency and keep cost at the proper levels, jointly working with logistics providers to reduce VAS costs

Your Profile

• Master's degree in economics, engineering, international business, or a related field;
• Proven experience of a minimum of 2‑3 years in operational demand planning; FMCG as a plus;
• Strong knowledge of statistical forecasting methods, SAP APO, and business analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Analysis for Office, PowerQuery) preferred;
• Strong analytical, organizational, decision‑making, and presentation skills;
• Capability to work independently and to build and develop effective internal and external partnerships;
• Ability to challenge existing work methods and display willingness to try new approaches while also being adaptable to change and open to feedback;
• Strong ability to work effectively as part of a team, sharing knowledge and skills to achieve common goals;
• Language: English is a must.

At Beiersdorf, we want to help people feel good about their skin – and our commitment goes far beyond caring for skin. For 140 years, we have developed innovative skin and body care products for well‑known brands such as NIVEA, Eucerin, La Prairie, Hansaplast, and Labello. We act according to our purpose, WE CARE BEYOND SKIN, and take responsibility for our consumers, the employees, the environment and society.

Behind every brand, every product and every accomplishment are our more than 20,000 employees. It is for them that we live an inclusive culture of respect and trust that is strongly aligned with our values – CARE, COURAGE, SIMPLICITY and TRUST. We also embrace diversity by valuing the uniqueness of each individual and being committed to equal opportunities for all.