Description
As part of the EMEA Supply Chain team, this role is responsible for providing the timely creation and communication of robust market demand to enable the delivery of Working Capital targets, Operating profit and Customer Service goals of the business unit. The role is pivotal to drive optimal decisions between several countries & functions including Sales Controllers and Customer Business Managers, Business Analysts, S&OP Teams and Customer Services in the 1 month to 2-year horizon.
The role will translate consumer / sales demand, promotions, product introduction & rollover plans into an agreed forecast of market requirements on an on-going 18 month rolling basis, keeping systems and other information flows up to date. The role also includes the short-term management/coordination of the execution of plans, communication of changes, issues and shortages, avoidance of obsolete products and stock run outs. The identification and delivery of process and capability improvement, and Cost Transformation and inventory optimization opportunities are expected in order to deliver team and business objectives.
Duties & Responsibilities:
Total portfolio of products for Nigeria, and in support of the Nigeria/ MEA business plans
Develop and maintain a monthly demand schedule by maintaining an 18-month rolling forecast at invoice SKU level
Manage the monthly SSS MBO sign off forecast release process
Drive improvements in forecast accuracy and bias
Provide forecast insights and recommendations for quarterly financial & budget process, plus 5-year business plans, and category specific projects, innovation and strategies
Manage forecast locations splits, roll-overs and allocation rules to optimize service and reduce obsolescence and cost exposure
Drive improvements in the Demand Planning processes, including DIO optimization
Support implementation of demand management best practices/strategies across categories and accounts
Understand and communicate supply chain implications and solutions (when appropriate) of category-specific business plans.
Work closely with SC and S&OP colleagues, especially Collaborative Planners, in support of tactical execution which meets business objectives.
The Individual:
Bachelor’s degree (BA, BSc) or equivalent is desirable;
Business/SC experience, ideally including a forecasting or sales and operations planning (S&OP) environment or with a proven track record in Supply Chain
Fluent in English is required
First class analytical skills including data manipulation
Flexible approach – excellent leadership skills together with strong team ethic
Experience of SAP APO, MS EXCEL®, BW and R/3 or similar systems desirable
The successful candidate should have a proven record of improving results, needs to be self-starting, autonomous and able to challenge the status quo. Strong influencing skills are required. You must also be able to react to rapidly changing priorities, quickly make decisions and recommendations and remain calm under pressure.