Demand Planner - FMCG

Placements24; East London; Híbrido; ZAR 420.000 - 540.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Hybrid work model

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Career development

Descripción de la vacante

Placements24 is seeking a skilled Demand Planner for our East London operations to optimize inventory and forecast accuracy across product lines. Based in East London, you will work with sales, marketing and supply chain teams to build robust forecasts, translate them into production plans, and minimize stockouts and obsolescence through data-driven decisions.

The role requires 3–5 years in demand planning within FMCG, strong analytical skills, and experience with SAP/Oracle or Kinaxis; hybrid

Formación

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field is required.
• 3–5 years in demand planning or forecasting in FMCG.
• Strong analytical and statistical skills.
• Experience with ERP/MRP software.
• Knowledge of SA FMCG market is a plus.

Responsabilidades

• Develop and maintain short-term and long-term demand forecasts for all products.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and product teams to gather insights and refine forecast assumptions.
• Analyze historical sales data, market trends, promotional activities, and external factors influencing demand.
• Identify deviations between forecasts and actual sales, investigate root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Work closely with the supply planning team to translate demand forecasts into effective production and inventory plans.
• Monitor inventory levels and provide recommendations to optimize stock holding and reduce obsolescence.
• Participate in Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings, presenting demand forecasts and insights.
• Continuously improve forecasting processes and methodologies to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain KPIs related to demand planning accuracy.
• Ensure effective communication and alignment across all departments regarding demand forecasts.

Conocimientos

Forecasting

Time series analysis

Statistical modeling

Data analysis

MS Excel

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management

Herramientas

SAP

Oracle

Kinaxis

Descripción del empleo

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the FMCG sector, is seeking a skilled and analytical Demand Planner to optimize inventory levels and forecasting accuracy for their product lines. This critical role, based in East London, Eastern Cape , will work closely with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to develop robust demand forecasts, ensuring product availability while minimizing excess inventory. The ideal candidate will possess strong quantitative skills, a deep understanding of forecasting methodologies, and experience within the FMCG industry. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to operational efficiency and drive business performance through accurate demand planning. You will be instrumental in bridging the gap between market demand and supply chain execution, directly impacting product availability and customer satisfaction across the region. The role requires a detail-oriented individual with a proactive approach to data analysis and collaboration within the East London operational hub.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accurate short-term and long-term demand forecasts for all products.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and product development teams to gather insights and refine forecast assumptions.
• Analyze historical sales data, market trends, promotional activities, and external factors influencing demand.
• Identify deviations between forecasts and actual sales, investigate root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Work closely with the supply planning team to translate demand forecasts into effective production and inventory plans.
• Monitor inventory levels and provide recommendations to optimize stock holding and reduce obsolescence.
• Participate in Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings, presenting demand forecasts and insights.
• Continuously improve forecasting processes and methodologies to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) related to demand planning accuracy.
• Ensure effective communication and alignment across all relevant departments regarding demand forecasts.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Statistics, Mathematics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in demand planning or forecasting, preferably within the FMCG industry.
• Strong analytical and statistical modeling skills.
• Proficiency in demand planning software and ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Kinaxis).
• Excellent understanding of forecasting techniques (e.g., time series analysis, regression).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.
• Proficiency in MS Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Detail-oriented with a proactive and problem-solving approach.
• Knowledge of the South African FMCG market and distribution channels, particularly in the Eastern Cape .
• Experience in a hybrid work environment is beneficial for operations in East London .

Benefits

• Competitive salary and annual performance bonus.
• Hybrid working model offering flexibility.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced training in supply chain.
• Be a key contributor to the efficiency of a leading FMCG company.
• Collaborative and data-driven work environment.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Exposure to S&OP processes and strategic inventory management.
• Career progression opportunities within supply chain management.
• A stable and supportive company culture in East London .