Senior Demand & Supply Planner Cato Ridge, KZN

Our client is looking for a Senior Demand & Supply Planner based at their manufacturing facility in Cato Ridge, KZN.

They seek an experienced professional to join their team with the key objective of aligning demand forecasts with production capacity, material availability, and inventory strategies. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Sales, Procurement, Operations, and Finance to ensure optimal service levels while carefully balancing cost and working capital targets.

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in distribution management or a related field
• Extensive experience with forecasting and material planning tools (e.g., Syspro, Barnton, SAP)
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office and non negotiable advanced Excel skills
• Proven and traceable experience in a planning role (non negotiable)
• Desirable: Knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ISO 22000/FSSC, and exposure to MRP systems
• Ability to travel between sites and external stakeholders, work long hours, and adapt to inclement environments
• Own car essential
• Clear criminal record

• Develop, refine, and maintain 18-24 month demand forecasts using historical data, promotional activities, and industry trends.
• Lead monthly demand review meetings to ensure alignment on future resource and capacity needs.
• Collaborate with the sales team to improve forecasting for new product development and promotional planning.
• Provide ad hoc data analysis support to sales and production teams as required.
• Maintain and update material planning tools, ensuring accurate buying decisions for raw materials and packaging.
• Coordinate closely with production and procurement teams to align material availability with production schedules.
• Drive initiatives to automate and continuously improve long term material planning processes.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate weekly production requirements with plant management based on sales demand.
• Monitor stock levels across distribution channels, ensuring timely replenishment and minimizing shortages or overages.
• Analyse root causes of inventory discrepancies (excess, aged, or short stock) and resolve issues with relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee rollout and updating of SKU details for new products and maintain accuracy of planning documentation.
• Facilitate daily alignment meetings with sales, production, dispatch, and operations to ensure smooth workflow execution.
• Build strong internal relationships with operations, sales, procurement, warehouse, and logistics teams.
• Uphold health and food safety standards by adhering to all regulatory and statutory requirements.

This position requires someone who is hands on, confident, strategic thinking, leadership skills, high attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a fast paced supply chain environment.

Please note that you will be redirected to Ditto when applying for this role.

We will be in contact with shortlisted candidates who meet the requirements detailed above. If you have not received a reply within 2 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.

By applying, you confirm that:

• We may retain your personal information in our database for future matching of suitable opportunities
• We may contact you when suitable opportunities arise
• The information you have provided to us is true, correct and up to date