Demand Planner

Gauteng, Irene

The Demand Planner will play a pivotal role in managing and optimizing overall final product inventory processes, and ensuring effective sales forecasting. You will work closely with various teams to drive accurate cost-effective demand planning, and streamline forecasting processes to meet business KPIs.

**JOB ROLE REQUIREMENTS**:
**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- A minimum of Matric and a relevant tertiary qualification in Logistics, Sales, Supply Chain, or a similar field. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field is preferred.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Sales Forecasting & Demand Planning**:

- Provide accurate, timely, and optimal sales forecasts in conjunction with the sales team.
- Conduct planning to ensure alignment between sales and production.

**Final Product Stock Management**:

- Engage with clients to manage shortfalls in categories/SKUs and recover lost sales.
- Manage stock optimizations, addressing issues like near-dated stock in collaboration with the sales teams.
- Ensure accurate inventory estimations for stock levels, minimum order quantities, and promotions.

**Forecasting & Reporting**:

- Conduct monthly pre-validation meetings with managers to validate forecasts for categories and SKUs.
- Capture relevant data in systems to ensure availability of real-time information.
- Present historical vs. actual analysis in line with the annual budget and promotional plans.
- Facilitate weekly meetings between sales and production.

**Data Analysis & Reporting**:

- Analyze production trends, sales, and stock performance, providing actionable insights to improve performance.

**Collaboration & Communication**:

- Communicate effectively with production team, sales team and customer service team.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve demand issues and align on key priorities.

**EXPERIENCE**:

- A minimum of 3-5 years in demand planning, preferably within the FMCG, retail, or manufacturing sector.
- Proven experience in stock optimizations, and forecasting processes.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience with QlikView for data analysis and reporting.

**SKILLS REQUIRED**:

- Excellent attention to detail, time management, and organizational skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to handle conflict.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, with a proactive attitude towards problem-solving.
- Proven ability to collaborate with various departments and manage external relationships.

For more information please contact:
Ingrid Lourens