Demand Planner

Job Title:

Department:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)

• Lead and coordinate the S&OP process by providing updated sales forecasts and capacity constraints for operations discussions.
• Deliver and maintain high forecast accuracy (targeting 75%) at the aggregate SKU level.
• Supply regular exception inputs and ensure all forecast data is ready for review with the Operations team.

2. FG (Finished Goods) Inventory Control

• Monitor and maintain FG inventory as per budget guidelines.
• Analyze and address ageing inventory, performing detailed root cause analysis on top ageing SKUs and proposing actionable preventive plans.
• Enforce discipline in inventory management and ensure Inventory DRM (Decision Review Meeting) documentation follows approved standards, with monthly meetings for all divisions.
• Manage undesirable FG inventory, tracking and acting on deviations from KPIs.

3. Theory of Constraints (TOC) Roll-out

• Lead and implement TOC-based inventory management roll-outs in business divisions.
• Develop thorough roll-out plans in liaison with Sales and Operations teams, including system integration with IT and baseline data preparation.
• Ensure flawless go-live execution for TOC initiatives.

4. New Product Development (NPD) Service

• Collaborate with category teams to ensure NPD launch plans (quantity and date) are integrated into S&OP for effective supply chain preparedness.
• Review ongoing NPD launches, compare actual demand vs. planned, and drive subsequent actions in S&OP (continue, hold, redistribute supply).
• Transition successful NPDs to TOC replenishment models for continuous improvement.

5. System & Process Support

• Identify inefficiencies or improvement areas within the demand planning activity.
• Develop and implement system/process-based solutions to address any gaps, optimizing efficiency and accuracy.

6. Cross-Functional Engagement

• Participate in monthly S&OP and inventory DRM meetings for all business divisions.
• Engage with other departments to communicate risks, mitigation plans, and coordinate demand planning efforts.
• Attend weekly reviews with supply chain and operations to analyze root causes of service shortfalls, develop timelines for recovery, and deliver RCA (root cause analysis) and action plans for SKUs at risk to senior management.

Experience & Skills:

• 7-10 years of experience, with a relevant post-graduate qualification (MBA, M.Tech preferred).
• Prior experience in customer-facing roles (sales, marketing, logistics, supply planning/execution) is highly preferred.
• Previous work in FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) environments is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in matrix organizational structures.
• Proficient with SAP, Power BI, Tableau, and statistical analysis methods.
• Strong analytical, process improvement, and project management capabilities.
• Excellent communicator with proven cross-functional stakeholder management skills.

This JD aligns with the expectations for strategic, analytical involvement in supply chain, S&OP, inventory control, and new product launches, requiring strong leadership, technical knowledge, and cross-functional communication.

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