Supply Planner

Job Purpose: This role is accountable for managing the Supply Planning processes as part of the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) function.

It provides input to the S&OP function on critical short, medium, and long-term gaps in demand versus supply to support executive decision making in bridging these gaps.

It aims at driving continuous improvement of the production and capacity planning processes and conducting regular supply analytics to validate current planning parameters. This role owns the first line of responsibility of the Material Requirements Plan (MRP).

Responsible for monitoring the MRP's performance within the ERP, while ensuring users are supervised and coached in the efficient use thereof.

Organisational Structure

The Supply Planner reports into the Sales & Operations function, which forms part of the Supply Chain division.

Key Accountabilities and Outputs

1. Generate the following for the respective production sites while ensuring continuous improvement of the supply planning process:
1. Stock Replenishment Plan (SRP) – the unconstrained production requirement.
2. Master Production Schedule (MPS) – constraining the production requirement through active negotiation with the respective plants.
2. Support efficient production planning to provide finished goods in accordance with the demand plan.
3. Maintain a tactical oversight of the raw materials (RM) and packaging materials (PM) procurement process, to assist the production plants in maintaining a high percentage of supply plan adherence, with full consideration of Working Capital targets.
4. Analyse the sales forecast and inventory data to ensure creation of the weekly MPS in accordance with customer service targets, logistics, and manufacturing cost goals for the supply chain.
5. Collaborate with manufacturing and procurement to optimise the supply plan and improve delivery.
6. Principal participant in the monthly Supply Review forums pertaining to:
1. The supply plan with capacity utilisation.
2. Supply gaps and action plans.
3. Supply Review feedback to the monthly Integrated Business Reviews (IBR).
7. Lead the weekly Supply Planning forums such as:
1. Smoothing of the supply plan.
2. Balancing the supply grid.
3. Identifying supply gaps and action plans.
4. Opportunities to improve the Supply plan.
5. Supply Planning feedback to the weekly Planning & Control meetings (P&C).
8. Analyse critical demand-supply imbalances and develop various supply scenarios as input to the S&OP process.
9. Conduct regular supply analytics and validate planning parameters.
10. Regular review of target stock levels, national, by region and brand.
11. Manage finished goods inventory levels to optimise working capital in support of the on-time in-full (OTIF) service delivery target of 98%.
12. Generate Rough Cut Capacity Planning (RCCP) models for the medium and long term.
13. Identify gaps in capacity vs demand and generate recommendations to bridge the gap.
14. Develop short- and medium-term capacity plans to improve the supply plan.
15. Support the New Product Development (NPD) team with launching new products into the supply grid.
16. Utilise and continuously improve the supply planning resources (People Process and Technology).
17. Lead the implementation of tools and processes relating to supply planning.

Key Competencies

Professional

1. Core knowledge of the following:
1. Supply planning.
2. Production planning and S&OP planning.
3. Planning best practices (process & technology).
4. Customer service.
5. Product management.
6. Inventory management.
7. Supply Chain KPIs.

Qualifications & Experience

1. B Comm Degree Or Degree in Industrial engineering with a financial background.
2. Minimum 5 years in planning and / or production management essential.
3. Minimum 3 years' experience in the FMCG sector.

Key Qualities

1. Leadership
2. Influencing others.
3. Drive long-term results.
4. Developing self and others.
5. Always a step ahead.
6. Managing change.

Skills

1. Solid analytical skills.
2. Demonstrated negotiation skills.
3. Effective problem solving.
4. Ability to make informed decisions.
5. Effective communication.
6. Strong interpersonal skills.
7. Solid understanding of the fundamentals of ERP systems.
8. Expert knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
9. Fully proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
10. Barnton or similar supply chain planning software.

Key Success Measures

1. Production conformance to plan.
2. Customer OTIF.
3. Out-of-stock percentage.
4. Stock cover (days & value).
5. Updated databases relating to supply planning (supply master data, MRP, etc.).