Manager - Demand Planning

Senior Manager/Manager, Demand Planning & ERP Implementation

About the Role

forecasting and optimizing demand

This role requires a blend of deep analytical expertise, exceptional cross-functional leadership, and hands-on technical proficiency in supply chain systems. Success will be measured by improving forecast accuracy, reducing inventory holding costs (shrinkage and obsolescence), and ensuring the seamless, on-time rollout and adoption of new supply chain technologies.

Key Responsibilities

I. Demand Planning & Inventory Optimization (50%)

• Forecast & Accuracy:

  Develop, own, and continuously refine short-term (daily/hourly) and mid-term demand forecasts for all product categories (SKUs) across a dynamic network of dark stores. Target and achieve industry-leading forecast accuracy metrics (e.g., Weighted Mean Absolute Percentage Error, WMAPE).

• Data-Driven Modeling:

  Leverage advanced statistical methods,

  Machine Learning (ML) models

  , and

  demand sensing

  techniques to predict volatile Q-Commerce demand drivers, including weather, local events, promotions, and real-time sales data.

• Inventory Strategy:

  Define optimal

  inventory levels, safety stock, re-order points (ROP)

  , and

  lead times

  for all dark store and hub locations, minimizing stockouts (Out-of-Stock, OOS) while controlling spoilage and working capital.

• S&OP Leadership:

  Lead the demand review cycle within the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, collaborating with Commercial, Marketing, and Operations teams to align on a single, consensus forecast.

• Performance Reporting:

  Design and maintain a suite of

  KPI dashboards

  (e.g., Forecast Accuracy, Inventory Days of Supply, Fill Rate, Stockout Rate) to provide real-time visibility into the performance of the quick-commerce supply chain.

II. ERP/WMS Implementation & System Management (50%)

• Implementation Leadership:

  Lead the end-to-end implementation of the new ERP/WMS system within the

  warehouse and dark store network

  . This includes requirements gathering, system design/configuration, process mapping, user acceptance testing (UAT), and go-live strategy.

• System Integration:

  Ensure the seamless integration of the ERP/WMS with other core business systems, including the E-Commerce platform, Finance, and last-mile delivery systems.

• Process Transformation:

  Map, document, and standardize all key supply chain processes (e.g., Goods Receiving, Putaway, Picking, Inventory Control, Cycle Counting) within the new system to drive operational efficiency and data integrity.

• Change Management & Training:

  Develop and execute comprehensive change management and training plans for all end-users (dark store managers, warehouse staff, supply chain analysts) to ensure high system adoption and proficiency.

• Post-Implementation Optimization:

  Act as the internal system owner post-go-live, managing system enhancements, troubleshooting complex user issues, and driving continuous improvement in system utilization to unlock full value.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Experience:

  5+ years of progressive experience in Demand Planning, Forecasting, Supply Chain Planning, or Inventory Management, with at least 2 years in a

  quick commerce, E-commerce, or FMCG environment

  .

• Technical Expertise:

• Proven experience leading or significantly contributing to at least one full-cycle ERP/WMS implementation

  (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or specialized WMS/Planning tools like Blue Yonder, Kinaxis, or a proprietary system).
• Advanced proficiency in

  statistical forecasting models

  and tools.
• Strong

  data analysis skills

  , including expertise in

  SQL/Python

  and advanced

  Excel/Google Sheets

  modeling. Experience with data visualization tools (Tableau/Power BI) is a must.

• Education:

  Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Research, Engineering, Statistics, or a related quantitative field.

• Certifications (Preferred):

  APICS CPIM or CSCP, or similar certification.

Key Competencies

• Adaptability & Speed:

  Ability to thrive in a

  high-pressure, fast-paced 10-minute delivery environment

  where demand signals change rapidly.

• Cross-Functional Leadership:

  Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills to align technology teams, senior leadership, and operational teams.

• Problem Solving:

  Highly analytical, with a demonstrated ability to resolve complex inventory and system implementation challenges using a data-first approach.