Demand Planning Manager – Uxbridge based
9 month secondment
Structured career development + Annual performance related pay bonus and pay reviews + Share scheme + Competitive pension contributions + Range of flexible benefits and Corporate discounts including childcare vouchers, holiday buy/sell scheme + Car allowance/ Company car + Laptop + Health care + Excellent parental benefits + Flexible working
Purpose of the role:
The Demand Planning team play a key role in leading the Sales & Operations Planning process within the GB BU to ensure that imbalances between demand and supply are proactively identified and co-ordinated solutions are put in place in a timely manner. Demand Planning are responsible for managing the demand signal across a group of product portfolios and customers for the purposes of driving Supply Chain and supporting an accurate supply plan that maximises service to our customers at least cost.
The Demand Planning, Manager role is responsible for developing the sales forecast for a group of SKUs (product portfolio) and customers and ensuring its quality. The role is responsible for supporting the monthly S&OP process and the quality of its inputs and outputs and drive actions to resolve potential supply issues.
Key responsibilities:
Reporting directly to the Senior Manager for Demand Planning the key responsibilities of the Manager, Demand Planning are:
* Leads the demand planning process for a complex and high volume/value product portfolio
* Produces and maintains the full demand forecast in IBP for a complex/high value product portfolio:
* Maintains portfolio segmentation in order to form the right planning strategy and identify areas of focus
* Sets up and maintains suitable statistical forecasting models, maintains actuals history as needed
* Performs forecast enrichment to adjust the statistical forecast as needed
* Develops or reviews the baseline forecast provided by Customer Demand Analysts and agrees it with Key Account Managers (KAMs)
* Develops short and long term demand plan
* Reviews and validates demand plan with Senior Manager, Demand Planning
* Performs weekly demand control
* Maintains master data for new products (NPD) and new variant codes (new projects)
* Leads regular collaboration forums with senior KAMs to gather business intelligence and to agree a baseline forecast
* Plays an active role in supporting the monthly S&OP process, ensuring the quality of its inputs and outputs
* Performs analysis to understand key drivers behind the gap between demand planning system SAP IBP and trade promotions planning system (Promax)
* Plays an active part in resolution of supply chain issues with Supply Planning and in identifying root causes as well as tactical and strategic courses of action
* Reviews and validates key account forecast across all products. Provides valuable insights and has the ability to drive the right conversations with senior commercial stakeholders
* Drives continuous improvement in the demand planning process and in key metrics such as forecast accuracy and bias, and supports the development of routines, processes and capabilities within Demand Planning
* Acts as point of escalation and decision making when covering for the Senior Manager Demand Planning
* Plays and active role in the design and execution of change programmes in the demand planning area
Skills & Essentials:
* Extensive Demand Planning / Supply Chain experience in an FMCG environment, with a track record of delivering continuous improvements across process and KPI's
* Excellent communication skills (including presentation skills) with the ability to lead highly effective meetings
* Ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders at senior level and simplify complex messages
* Ability to engage and influence internal stakeholders
* Highly analytical with proficiency in the use of Excel and PowerPoint
* Strong organisation skills and attention to detail
* Advanced problem solving skills
* Ability to manage complexity and work with ambiguous/incomplete information
* Ability to support the design and execute change programmes
* Experience in demand planning systems (SAP IBP)