Demand Planner (Citrus)

EnableSA Recruitment; Gqeberha; On-site; ZAR 400,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

EnableSA Recruitment seeks an experienced Demand Planner for a citrus-focused client in Port Elizabeth. You will align production with customer demand, develop pack plans and ensure fruit allocation supports commercial returns.

Strong analytical and Excel skills are essential, with experience in planning and coordinating between production and commercial teams. The role requires a degree in engineering or industrial engineering, plus 2+ years in a related field.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• Two years' relevant experience in citrus or agriculture preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills required.
• Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to code or develop systems/tools is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Receive and analyze production forecasts.
• Monitor daily production changes, including volumes and grade distribution.
• Identify variances between forecasted and actual production.
• Analyze customer demand information from the commercial team.
• Translate demand into practical pack requirements and adjust plans accordingly.
• Present weekly pack plans to commercial and production teams.
• Maintain communication with packhouses regarding production, dates and orders.
• Ensure alignment between production capabilities and commercial requirements.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Analytical thinking

Planning

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Engineering or Industrial Engineering

Tools

Systems development (coding)

Job description

Our client in the Citrus industry is seeking an experienced and commercially minded Demand Planner to join their team in Port Elizabeth. This is an excellent opportunity for an analytical professional who enjoys working at the intersection of production, demand planning and commercial decision-making. The successful candidate will play a key role in aligning citrus production with customer demand, developing practical pack plans and ensuring available fruit is allocated effectively to maximize commercial returns.

Responsibilities

• Receive and analyze production forecasts.
• Monitor daily changes in production, including expected volumes, varieties packed, count/size distribution and grade distribution.
• Identify and analyze variances between forecasted and actual production.
• Receive and analyze customer demand information from the commercial team.
• Understand demand by customer, including requirements relating to variety, grade and count.
• Identify potential shortages, excesses and stock risks.
• Identify products requiring alternative customers and highlight areas where sales should be increased or reduced.
• Advise the commercial team on available stock, shortages, excesses and potential substitutions or exchanges.
• Recommend customer allocations for specific fruit, prioritizing strategic customers and optimal commercial returns in line with the commercial strategy.
• Help prevent overselling, underutilization of available fruit and incorrect allocation of varieties, counts or grades.
• Take ownership of the company's pack plans.
• Prepare detailed demand analysis ahead of weekly commercial meetings.
• Translate customer demand into practical pack requirements and adjust plans as production changes.
• Monitor pack plan performance and identify deviations at an early stage.
• Present weekly pack plans to the commercial and production teams.
• Analyze budgeted production against actual production and identify reasons for variances.
• Maintain direct communication with packhouses regarding expected production, packing dates, produce orders, grade and count splits, quality information, delays and unexpected changes.
• Work closely with production teams at the packhouses to ensure alignment between production capabilities and commercial requirements.

Requirements:

• Degree in Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related field.
• An Industrial Engineering background would be highly advantageous.
• Minimum of 2 years' relevant experience, preferably within the citrus or agricultural industry.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving abilities.
• The ability to code or develop systems/tools would be a strong advantage.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively across commercial and production teams.
• Valid driver's license and own reliable transport.