Demand Planner

**Demand and Marketing Specialist**

Chiltern Farms has a promising career opportunity for a suitable applicant. We are a dynamic Agribusiness in the Vyeboom area near Villiersdorp, which practices agriculture in a modern, world-class manner by constantly evaluating operating methods and incorporating technology. We strive to continually improve our Agribusiness to create an extraordinary future. We believe that people are the greatest ingredient in our success. We aim to foster a work environment that is professional, and results-focused, whilst retaining the family values.

We aim to attract people who are ethical, professional, enthusiastic, self-motivated, flexible, result focussed, open to learning, and who embrace technology and best practices to make a difference and add value.

Reporting to the Marketing Manager, your role requires a blend of marketing and analytical skills to drive sales, while maintaining optimal inventory management. You will be responsible to develop and execute marketing strategies to place fruit with the correct marketing agents, while collaborating with the supply chain operations to ensure optimal inventory management. Critical success factors will be building and maintaining relationships and focusing on optimising the returns of fruit packed.

**Key Performance areas/Responsibilities are but not limited to**:

- **Marketing agent engagement**_

Communicate packing plans with agents.

Obtain product requirements from agents including fruit specifications, packaging, volumes, and pricing

Obtain sales orders and communicate progress

Develop and maintain relationships with marketing agents
- **Pack Planning**_

Assist in building product availability plan.

Provide comprehensive options and flexibility for the planner to build into the pack plan.

Obtain sign off from marketing manager for weekly pack plan/agent allocation.

Plan and manage product demand according to predicted volumes
- **Marketing Plan**_

Assist marketing manager to create annual marketing plan.

Provide detailed information to assist in the allocation of product to markets/agents

Assist with the building of product availability plan and communicate clear product requirements.

Develop and maintain effective and collaborative internal and external communication channels.
- **Stock Management**_

Ensure orders are conveyed to dispatch per loading instruction on the relevant ERP system.

Monitor stock to ensure residency times are kept to a minimum. Local and external storage facilities.

Track and follow orders to ensure completion by packing facilities and hold market agents accountable for loading ordered stock

Maintain adequate control over packed stock and stock movements

Compile comprehensive reports and maintain an active database to report on sales data.

**Key Technical competencies and experience**

Relevant tertiary degree/diploma in commerce or marketing

At least 5 years’ experience within the fruit & packhouse industry or similar environment

Exposure to sales functions

Good understanding of customer service requirements

Proven data analytics experience

Technical understanding of the fruit market and technical specification requirements

Solid Excel, Power Point and BI skills
- **Key Behavioural Competencies required**_

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Capability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

High attention to detail, ensuring the accuracy of work completed.

A work ethic that prizes accuracy, thoroughness, drive, and integrity

Good planning, co-ordinating and monitoring skills in meeting deadlines

Able to work under pressure.

Self-disciplined, collaborator.

Flexible approach to working hours.

Excellent planning and organising skills

Teamwork and professional relations

Client orientated (internal and external)

Action orientated

Excellent problem-solving skills

**Salary**: R38,600.00 - R46,700.00 per month

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Villiersdorp, Western Cape: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (required)

**Education**:

- Bachelors (preferred)

**Experience**:

- Demand planning in the fruit industry: 5 years (preferred)