Job Description
About the Opportunity
Are you a strategic thinker with a knack for forecasting and sales planning We're seeking a skilled Demand Planning Manager to drive our sales and operations planning process, challenge assumptions, and support our sales and marketing teams to achieve business objectives. If you excel in identifying gaps, developing action plans, and aligning sales and marketing activities with business strategy, we want to hear from you!
Role Purpose:
* Lead the sales and operations planning process, ensuring alignment with business goals.
* Highlight and address gaps in the sales plan during Pre-Demand and Demand Review meetings.
* Collaborate with Trade Marketing, Marketing, and Sales to develop a four-month firm plan and a 24-month rolling forecast.
* Establish a demand-supply interface to resolve supply constraints effectively.
* Enhance demand forecast accuracy to improve customer service, reduce trade working capital ratio, and lower inventory and SLOBS (Slow Moving and Obsolete Stock).
Role Accountabilities:
* Oversee the sales and marketing planning cycle, including inputs, creation, and documentation of the sales plan.
* Lead and manage the demand planning team to maximize customer service while minimizing inventory costs.
* Coordinate and implement process improvements for the Planning function and act as the department training manager for demand planning systems.
* Collaborate with National Account Managers to develop accurate sales forecasts for major trade channels.
* Analyze sales performance and conduct root cause analysis of significant variances.
* Resolve supply issues with Operations and the sales team, presenting options with cost/benefit/risk analyses.
* Ensure NPD (New Product Development) and promotional plans are achieved through effective liaison with sales, marketing, and logistics functions.
* Manage conflicting demands between short lead times from customers and internal requirements for inventory and production cost reductions.
* Timely submission of sales plans for supply planning and manage unplanned demand requests and stock allocation during supply shortages.
About You
* Graduate of any business course, Accounting or Economics
* Minimum of 5 years of experience in Demand Planning
* Strong Planning and Forecasting skills.
* Communication, influencing, and relationship building skills.
* In depth knowledge of FMCG business processes especially from a sales forecasting, supply chain and procurement basis.
* Knowledge on Microsoft Office system i.e., Word, Excel Advance and PowerPoint
Our Co-operative
Te Mtpuna toa takitini
Fonterra's strength is in the collective
We value our people and are committed to your career progression. We are in a strong position; there are a wide range of opportunities and pathways across the Co-op. This means no matter what business unit you're in, or what stage of life you're at, there's a good chance we've got something to suit you.
