Fmcg jobs in United Arab Emirates

The Demand Planner is responsible for accurately forecasting product demand to optimize inventory levels, minimize stockouts, and reduce excess stock. This role leverages data analytics, market trends, and collaboration with sales / marketing teams to ensure the right products are available at the right time, driving profitability in a fast-paced retail environment.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Demand Forecasting & Analysis

• Develop statistical demand forecasts using historical sales data, seasonality, and market trends.
• Collaborate with buying, marketing, and store teams to incorporate promotions, new launches, and external factors (e.g., holidays, economic shifts).
• Adjust forecasts in real-time based on sell-through rates and inventory turnover .

2. Inventory Optimization

• Maintain optimal stock levels to prevent overstocking or shortages.
• Identify slow-moving items and recommend markdowns or bundling strategies.
• Work with suppliers to align lead times with demand projections .

3. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with merchandising to plan assortment strategies.
• Liaise with logistics to ensure timely replenishment and warehouse capacity planning.
• Share insights with finance for budgeting and cash flow planning.
• Generate weekly / monthly demand reports (forecast accuracy, bias, inventory health).
• Use ERP, demand planning software (e.g., SAP IBP, Oracle Demantra), and advanced Excel (pivot tables, macros).
• Implement AI-driven tools for predictive analytics where applicable.
• Refine forecasting models using machine learning or regression analysis .
• Stay updated on retail trends (e.g., omnichannel demand shifts).

Technical Skills

• Demand Planning Tools – SAP IBP, JDA, Logility, or similar
• Advanced Excel / Sheets – Pivot tables, VLOOKUP, statistical functions
• Statistical Modeling – Time-series analysis, regression, machine learning basics
• Retail Metrics – GMROI, sell-through, weeks of supply

Soft Skills

• Analytical Thinking – Translating data into actionable strategies
• Collaboration – Bridging gaps between sales, supply chain, and finance
• Attention to Detail – Ensuring forecast accuracy amid volatility
• Adaptability – Responding to market disruptions (e.g., supply chain delays)

Qualifications & Experience :

Education :

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Statistics, Business, or related field
• Certifications (Preferred) :

CPF (Certified Professional Forecaster) – IBF

• CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) – APICS
• Six Sigma (Green Belt) – For process optimization

Experience :

• 3–5 years in demand planning, inventory management, or retail analytics .
• Retail sector experience (e.g., apparel, FMCG, electronics ) is essential.
• Familiarity with omnichannel retail (brick-and-mortar + e-commerce demand integration).

Demand Planner • Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa