Demand Planner
Unilever -
Dubai, United Arab EmiratesPosted 5 years ago125People have clicked1 open position
Job Details
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Job Description
Main Purpose of the Role:
To own and administrate local company sales forecasting and demand management for their respective categories across Gulf markets.
Main Accountabilities:
Base Demand Plan
- Identify the right historical sales horizon to use for the baseline generation
- Clean the historical sales data from any outliers
- Identify the most appropriate statistical forecasting algorithm and models that should be used
- Generate the baseline using the model selected and adjust where necessary
- Communicate the generated baselines to relevant stakeholders
New Product Demand (NPD) Plan
- Analyse the NPD bottoms up volumes provided by the Sales & Marketing team by using like model and scenario planning techniques
- Challenge the NPD volumes (if required) then incorporate them in the demand plan
- Work closely with Supply Chain and Category teams to ensure landing the NPD OTIF in all markets
- Monitor the NPD performance for the first 3 months and highlight the need to amend forward forecast to the Category team
Facilitate the Demand Planning Process:
- Own the forecast in any of the S&OP meetings (monthly cycle) and in the weekly operational meetings
- Build the activities (that are over and above the baselines) provided by the Sales & Marketing teams
- Maintain an assumptions tracker that would be used to evaluate the performance of the activity and challenge volumes going forward
- Present the exceptions in the activity meeting and facilitate the process of reaching consensus on the final agreed unconstrained demand
- Minute all the forecast changes that take place in any forum to ensure all stakeholders are aligned
- Upload agreed unconstrainted demand in APO, ensuring Master Data related to each product is maintained on system to ensure accurate data flow
- Send finance a constrained plan basis the demand and supply reconciliation output
Communication with Extended Supply Chain
- Communicate the most updated demand plan with the relevant Supply Planning and Customer Service teams
- Work with Customer Service team to ensure stocks availability in all markets and to develop scenarios to mitigate supply gaps (if any) through demand adjustments
- Ensure the promotional plans are aligned with the Promotions team
Continuous Improvement
- Analyse forecast accuracy and bias to identify and implement process enhancements to improve these KPI’s
- Present the KPI’s to the Category team in order to find ways to improve them
- Champion the development of changes to current processes
- Coach the Category team on forecasting techniques to facilitate discussions while simultaneously improving KPIs
Job Requirements
Key Competencies (Max 5):
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Adaptable to changes in a fast-pasted environment
- Challenger to the status quo
- Bias for action and proactivity
- Excellent communication skills
Relevant Experience:
- Industrial Engineering (preferred) or engineering degree, Business graduates with statistical courses, Supply Chain specialized degree.
- Fresh graduate or maximum three years of experience
- Proficient in MS Office (knowledge of SAP, APO and R-studio is a plus)
- CPIM or CSCP certification is a plus