Demand And Supply Planning Manager

Accountable for all inventory forecasting, creation of purchase orders and demand planning operations. Ensure goods are maintained at the correct service levels for onward supply to our customers, whilst ensuring working capital objectives are managed. Plan inventory flow, analyse statistical data, and generate forecasting solutions.

Responsibilities:

1. Working in conjunction with NPD, Technical, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain, Finance and Factory Managers to develop, progressively improve forecasting process, improve accuracy, and reduce forecast volatility through collaborative, coordinated activity.
2. Management of Inventory Forecasting and Demand Planning.
3. Generate and submit planned purchase requirements where appropriate, in line with agreed schedules.
4. Manage supply issues and develop alternative plans where delivery schedules cannot be improved. Manage stock levels to reduce overstock and obsolescence using relevant demand planning tools.
5. Play an active role in supporting the monthly SIOP (Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning) process. Steer demand review meetings, ensuring proper preparation, including available market knowledge.
6. Manage New Product Development processes in conjunction with the Business to ensure a successful launch of new products while safeguarding inventory so risk is minimised.
7. Manage end-of-life processes in conjunction with the Business to ensure that slow moving and excess inventory is minimised.
8. Maintain a good level of communication with suppliers/vendors and internal Teammates. Develop relationships with various functions to obtain data and learn business processes.
9. Be aware of storage space, capacity, and capital requirements where applicable.
10. To segregate forecasted and speculative demand when raising purchase orders and to share this with account managers to ensure agreement prior to confirming the orders.
11. Creation and maintenance of product codes within the ERP.
12. To manage raw materials and packaging levels at third party sites to ensure consistent supply of key customers and own brand.
13. To raise Purchase Orders/ demand in accordance with firm and forecasted demand according to the stocking policy and agreed volumes.
14. To agree the sequence/ container contents of orders to minimise disruption to supply.
15. To agree timeframes of orders and maintain PO information such as shipping status, delivery status and to share details with stakeholders.
16. KPI reporting and control analysis on measures such as (but not limited to) Inventory, Forecast Accuracy, Fill Rate, Slow Moving, New Product Introduction and Excess Inventory.
17. Develop tools/spreadsheets/processes to aid in data analysis and to understand and optimise/improve processes; make recommendations for changes.
18. Develop new KPIs and make recommendations to improve supply chain performance.
19. Continuously improve the forecast accuracy by conducting root causes of forecast errors and by challenging the demand input provided by the sales and marketing teams.
20. Key counterpart for sales and marketing for all demand influencing projects and parameters and to incorporate them in the demand plan, e.g., information on competition gaining market share, increasing market growth, advertisement, and promotions, etc.
21. Additional special projects market related initiatives, support on complexity reduction (driven by Supply Chain, Technical or Operations).
22. Supports continuous improvement projects to optimise team cross functional collaboration.
23. Any other reasonable duties, responsibilities or requests that may be issued by management from time to time.

Desired Candidate Profile:

1. At least 5 years’ experience in a similar role within manufacturing/FMCG environment.
2. Previous experience of setting up a new function; bringing together existing resources; heading up a similar function.
3. Food manufacturing experience.
4. Degree level or equivalent, within an appropriate related subject.
5. Comfortable communicating across multiple layers in the organisation; can deliver bad news and manage conflict.
6. Cross-functional understanding of supply chain planning, sales, NPD, logistics finance, marketing, and operations.
7. Excellent working knowledge of managing data through Excel & an ERP/MRP system.
8. Fully conversant in MS Office.
9. Supply chain and manufacturing processes and the enthusiasm to enhance knowledge.
10. Strong commercial acumen and negotiating skills.
11. The role demands accuracy and attention to detail so excellent communication (both verbal and written), numerical and analytical skills are all essential.
12. Excellent Organisational skills.
13. Continuous improvement methodology e.g., Six sigma.
14. MS Dynamics; SAP or other similar experience.

Employment Type: Full Time

Company Industry: Retail

Department / Functional Area: Logistics, Supply Chain

Keywords: Inventory Control Manager, Supply Chain Planner, Demand Analyst, Inventory Management, Supply Chain Optimization, Data Analysis, Demand Forecasting