Senior Demand & Supply Planner

FMCG / Retail / Wholesale / Supply Chain / Warehousing

Our client is looking for a Senior Demand and Supply Planner with experience in a Food Manufacturing environment to join their dynamic team.

Location: Cato Ridge

The Senior Demand & Supply Planner is responsible for collaborating cross-functionally with Sales, Procurement, Operations as well as Finance for aligning demand forecasts with production capacity, material availability, and inventory strategy to ensure optimal service levels while maintaining cost and working capital targets.

The incumbent will report directly to the Supply Chain Manager.

• Demand Planning: Develop, refine and maintain 18 to 24 months demand forecasts using historical sales data, promotional activity, customer and industry trends.
• Implement monthly demand review meetings to improve cross functional consensus on forward forecasts, resource and capacity requirements.
• Collaborate with sales to improve new product development forecasting and performance tracking processes as well as with improving quality of customer promotions planning.
• Drive continuous improvement in both forecast bias and customer service excellence.
• Assist with ad hoc data analysis requirements as required by sales and production teams.

• Using sales forecasts, maintain material planning tool that informs buying decisions for packaging and raw materials buying team.
• Coordinate with production and buying teams to align material availability with production schedules.
• Drive initiative to automate long term material planning process using Syspro.
• Ensure optimal inventory levels with focus on maintaining consensus working capital without disruptions to customer supply.

• Plan, schedule and coordinate weekly production plans with plant manager in line with sales demand.
• Monitor stock levels across distribution channels and ensure timely replenishment to avoid shortages or overstocking.
• Run root cause analysis to determine reasons for inventory overages, unders (typo corrected to "unders"), excess, and aged stock and resolve with relevant stakeholder.
• Run daily meetings with sales, production, dispatch and operations manager to ensure aligned execution of daily operational plans.

• For all new product development, ensure SKU details are rolled out accordingly across relevant teams.
• Ensure all forecasts, material and production planning files are up to date with latest SKU details.

• Transportation Management: Coordinating with transportation providers, managing routes, and ensuring timely delivery.
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Mitigating the impact of supply chain disruptions, such as natural disasters or supplier insolvency.
• Adjusting to shifts in customer demand.
• Maintaining continuity during organizational changes.
• Operations Team: Collaborating with operations team members to ensure smooth distribution operations.
• Sales Team: Working with sales team members to understand customer needs and ensure timely delivery.
• Procurement Team: Coordinating with procurement team members to ensure timely receipt of goods.
• Warehouse Team: Managing warehouse team members to ensure efficient storage and handling of products.
• Transportation Team: Coordinating with transportation team members to ensure timely and cost-effective transportation.
• Transporters, Customers and suppliers.

• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in distribution management or a related field
• Strong understanding of Forecasting and Material planning tools (Syspro, Barnton, SAP etc.)
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Advanced Excel skills (non-negotiable)
• Proven track record in a planning role (non-negotiable)
• Desirable additional knowledge and/or qualifications: Knowledge of GMP; ISO 22000 / FSSC
• Exposure to MRP systems (added advantage)

• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, priorities, and deadlines.
• Collaboration: Willingness to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and customer service.
• Continuous Learning: Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
• Flexibility: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Results-Oriented: Focus on achieving results and meeting performance goals.

• Travelling between sites and to and from customers / suppliers
• Work long hours
• Good verbal communication skills
• Able to work in inclement environments

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