PURPOSE OF ROLE:
To provide an accurate forecast of future demand which maximizes the sales opportunity while minimizing excess stock risk. The primary focus of this is to create alignment between Financial (Sales Planning – IBP), Channel, Brand and Supply Planning using the SAP IBP environment to harmonize and house this single source of truth.
Maintenance of Product Families
- Pre-seasonal alignment with Market Supply Team on seasonal trends in Demand (local Product supply / Global Supply).
- Align Product Family mid-term plan from IBP and Seasonal brand (CTC) guidance.
- Review statistical forecast based on algorithms.
Pre-Seasonal Planning Preparation
- Review and consolidate RMA article forecast post ranging sign-off (Brand/Channel alignment) across articles, product families and channels.
- Review and consolidate iMAP Merchandise Plans (DTC), Sales Orders (B2B) and additional Forecast as Orderbooks are built and plans are completed.
- Support CTC in understanding the development of their categories or any Product Family gaps once article forecasts are consolidated.
Seasonal Consolidation of Demand/In Season Maintenance of Demand
- Maintain Demand Plan on a rolling basis (monthly) and manage phasing of demand.
- Review monthly Buying Volumes and be accountable to ensure Purchase Requisitions (PRs) are correctly maintained to support Demand phasing and correctly converted into Purchase Orders (POs).
- Oversee Inventory simulation on a monthly basis to assist in decision support on buying and conversion discussions (Demand Review + S&O).
- Participate in S&O (sales and operations) sessions to align Demand to constrained Supply and ensure all channels are updated on operational execution (timing and volumes).
- Facilitate discussions on stock sharing with channels, should supply constraints be applied.
Business Decision Support
- Creation of Reporting Suits to support Business Data Maintenance.
- Contribute to Continuous Improvement of Operational Demand Planning Process.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Align with IDP team on monthly Drumbeat KPIs (RDP and IBP).
- Lead the monthly IBP drumbeat and monthly IBP submission accuracy in line with EM deadlines.
- Manage RMA Range guidance to ensure shape and Gross Sales volumes are aligned with IBP Assumptions.
- Category/Article Demand management.
- Facilitate and steer S&O sessions with SCM, Brand, Channels and Finance.
- Accountable for demand signal to Product supply.
- Consolidate and manage monthly Buying Volume Guidance.
- Provide monthly Inventory Simulation data for IBP Process.
- Participate in S&O sessions with SCM, Channels, and Finance.
- Collaborate with EM DP team to ensure standardized approach is implemented across the region leading to improved planning accuracy.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- CTC Team (Brand) on Range guidance and RMA.
- DTC Merchandising Teams, B2B Sales Teams.
- Global/Local Supply Chain.
- Emerging Markets Demand Planning.
- Global Demand Planning.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to manage and influence multiple cross-functional stakeholders.
- Strong cross-functional process knowledge or willingness to learn.
- Pro-active, collaborative and positive attitude even in changing environments.
- Ability to think tactically but also focus on details.
- Used to multi-task, solve challenges independently and work against deadlines to deliver high-quality work on time in full.
- Proven methodological skills (e.g. data analysis, trend forecasting).
- Simplification and efficiency.
- Good attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
- Global mind-set and ability to work cross-culturally; experience within different countries and/or different cultures is an advantage.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree or related field required, higher degree preferred in management/accounting.
- 3 years of cross-functional experience in marketing operations, merchandising, sales/retail or finance.
- Excellent Project Management Skills.
- Excellent Presentation Skills.
- Fluent in English (writing and verbal).
- IT skills: Outlook and Word: Basic; Excel and PowerPoint: advanced; MSTR/PowerBI/SAP knowledge preferable.