Demand Planner - (Baby)

Findojobs South Africa; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in South Africa is seeking a Demand Planner to enhance profitability through effective demand and statistical forecasting. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills and experience in supply chain processes. Responsibilities include managing forecasts and stakeholder relations to optimize inventory and ensure accurate reporting. This position offers opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 2-4 years’ experience with distribution requirement planning and other supply chain processes.
• Strong planning and buying experience with a solid understanding of financial and statistical analysis.
• 1-2 years planning and executing projects involving multiple groups is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Ensure effective stakeholder management to determine trends and evaluate risks.
• Lead and prepare for consensus forecast meetings with key stakeholders.
• Generate and deliver accurate management reports to analyze forecast performance.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving

Presentation skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Math, Decision Science, Business, or related area

Tools

MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Supply chain software

Job description

Clicks is on the hunt for a Demand Planner. To ensure effective demand and statistical forecasting for assigned categories in order to drive profitability through increased sales, improved margins, and working capital productivity.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the accurate and effective creation and management of statistical, promotional, event, and total forecasts using provided systems and tools for all new and existing product ranges.
• Recognize and reconcile forecast exceptions to track and manage sales against forecast and validate forecast for OTB management.
• Determine causal factors impacting forecasts and respond appropriately (weather, moving events, promotions, etc.).
• Ensure effective stakeholder management and engagement to determine trends, identify new products, evaluate risks, and determine inventory and replenishment requirements.
• Generate and deliver accurate and timely management reports and maintain key metrics against goals to analyze forecast performance and ensure forecast accuracy and inventory optimization.
• Effectively analyze post promotional and event data to determine opportunities, improve future forecasts, and act as necessary for inventory disposition.
• Lead and prepare for the consensus forecast meetings with key stakeholders to enhance key insights and decisions taken.
• Ensure that the history data cleansing process is followed to improve sales history.
• Ensure the effective execution of the range review process and decision making to assist the Category Team in determining optimal range.
• Look for opportunities to maximize sales potential and support the Category team to develop Category Operating Plans and other initiatives to achieve sales, margin, and stock targets.

Job Related Knowledge

• FMCG, Supply Chain, and Logistics.
• Data analysis models.
• Ability to understand and fine-tune algorithms for optimal forecast performance.
• Execution of the new stores/lines/products process using required commercial acumen.
• Understanding of customer needs and wants, trends, competitive environment, and market share.
• Financial planning models and methodologies.
• Deep understanding of the consistent management and planning of the supplier base performance metrics, promotional planning cycle, product lifecycle, supply chain optimization for their products, business analysis, and reporting.

Job Related Skills

• Causal factor determination and event-driven adjustments.
• Deep analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships and drive consensus and collaboration across functional groups.
• Business math acumen and analysis to comprehend financial information and reporting to make business decisions.
• Forecasting consumer trends and buying habits 9 – 24 months in the future.
• Complex decision-making based on statistics, trends, and opinions.
• Presentation skills with a focus on oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint), spreadsheets, and databases.
• Complex problem solving.
• Retail mathematical calculations (e.g., variance to last year, percent of total, turn, Open-to-Buy, and sales per square foot).
• Strong negotiating and influencing skills.

Job Experience

• Strong planning and buying experience with a solid understanding of financial and statistical analysis.
• 2-4 years’ experience with distribution requirement planning and other supply chain processes such as demand planning, production planning, scheduling, and transportation.
• 1-2 years planning and executing projects involving multiple groups across an organization is desirable.
• Experience with retail buying or logistics preferred.
• Supply chain software knowledge is advantageous.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Math, Decision Science, Business, or related area, or equivalent experience.

Job Related Competencies

• Deciding and Initiating Action.
• Persuading and Influencing.
• Presenting and Communicating Information.
• Analysing.
• Planning and Organising.
• Adapting and Responding to Change.
• Entrepreneurial and Commercial Thinking.