Demand Planner

Dis-Chem Pharmacies' in Midrand has an opportunity available for a Demand Planner to join the team. The purpose of this role is to manage the demand and supply requirements for the relevant category.  This involves creating and maintaining sales and income forecasts and related buy-plans to ensure the appropriate quality and quantity of inventory is purchased to support category strategy and achieve business objectives.

Minimum Requirements…

Essential:

• Grade 12 / Matric
• BCom Accounting, Quantitative Management, Logistics and Supply Chain or Inventory Management qualification
• Minimum of 4 years' experience in Planning

Advantageous:

• SAP experience or certification and Advance Excel.
• Previous experience in Inventory Planning and Procurement, Business Analysis and Customer Service and Experience in Pharmaceutical or FMCG.

Job Specification…

• Analyse future planning and projections for all global sourcing requirements for both Dis-Chem stores and Distribution Centre's (DC's).
• Ensure the effective utilisation of forecasting methods and software tools to deliver and monitor forecast accuracy.
• Establish and maintain consolidated reports.
• Analyse and maintain long range sales forecasts on a weekly basis to ensure recommended order quantities are based on reasonably accurate sales forecasts.
• Conduct daily and weekly analysis and monitoring of all POS activity to develop the right forecast and delivery strategy.
• Analyse Dis-Chem stores and DC's flows to predict potential out of stocks and determine the best actions to address.
• Monitor and understand demand plan accuracy with the aim of minimising inaccuracies and the impact thereof.
• Analyse reports daily to identify issues that impact in-stock and or inventory at both store level and DC's, to optimise availability and maximise inventory efficiency.
• Review orders and ensure they are within DSC guidelines.
• Review recommended replenishment purchase orders on a weekly basis, and place orders as required to maintain adequate levels of inventory across the supply chain network.
• Review orders and ensure they are within OTB guidelines.
• Forecast import DC stock split, to be used in the planning of required stock allocation or delivery for the first month and preceding months.
• Analyse past and current business trends and provide recommendations and improve opportunities; gain alignment on recommendations and implement findings.
• Display anomalies and assist in relevant changes advised by buyers to rework necessary calculations.
• Running relevant reports for the importance of providing buyers with necessary information for sales and stock at a particular point in time.
• Assist with compiling monthly reports and monthly summaries.
• Establish and maintain monthly status reports and present to the relevant buyer's and category manager.
• Prepare and update monthly summary of Pharma purchases, to be presented at monthly planning meetings.
• Establish and maintain a relationship among planners, sales, marketing and finance, for effective knowledge sharing and optimal forecasting.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams/departments to incorporate the on-boarding of new products, retirement of old products, customer-specific inventory requirements and regulatory changes into the demand planning process and recommendations.
• Support the Replenishment team on new store setups, inventory analysis and case fill rate.
• Support collaboratively with internal Supply Planning Team on future inventory needs.

Competencies

Essential:

• Highest level of data analysis skills, aptitude for technology and excellent problem solving and initiative skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Time management, self-motivated, results focused and deadline driven.
• Deadline driven.
• Demonstrate proficiency in statistics, forecasting with understanding of financial and operational impacts, and mathematical reasoning.
• English – Read, write and speak well.
• Understanding of basic financial principles.
• Trustworthy, Honest, Enthusiastic and Behave with Integrity.

Special conditions of employment:

• South African citizen
• MIE, clear criminal and credit

Remuneration and benefits:

• Market related salary
• Medical aid
• Provident fund
• Staff account

ONLY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. IF YOU HAVEN`T BEEN CONTACTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION AS UNSUCCESSFUL.

Dis-Chem Pharmacies is an equal opportunity employer. Dis-Chem's approved Employment Equity Plan and targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process aligned to Dis-Chem's Employment Equity & Transformation Strategy. Dis-Chem actively supports the recruitment of People with Disabilities.