Demand Manager at PZ Cussons

Job Purpose:

• Maintain accurate master data in APO, ensuring system integrity and functionality by collaborating with Customer Services and Deployment teams.
• Use historical sales data to generate baseline forecasts and lead monthly sales forecasting with Marketing, Sales, Finance and Supply Chain teams.
• Ensure accurate forecast disaggregation across supply chain network, production, deployment and RDCs
• Oversee NPD/EPD processes, ensuring smooth product introduction and rationalization to minimize obsolescence and optimize performance.
• Provide daily updates on inventory status, communicating with Sales and ensuring optimal product availability at DC and RDCs.
• Lead monthly forecast consensus meetings and ensure agreed actions are implemented, with accurate forecast loading into APO before 5pm on the 1st Friday of every new month
• Create effective inventory plans that align to demand plan, lead times, and available stock while collaborating with Supply Planners to enhance product availability and identify slow-moving or excess stock.
• Identify demand forecast risks and collaborate with Commercial, Marketing, and Sales teams to develop mitigation plans and ensure demand plans align with real-time product launches, promotions, and market trends
• Conduct regular reviews of key performance metrics to align demand plans with business goals and refine planning processes for improved efficiency and collaboration
• Collaborate with production and deployment to advise on priorities for production and ensure required products are available at the RDCs for sales
• Quarterly review of proportional planning books to drive deployment of stock from the DC to the RDCs
• Track sales performance on a weekly basis and advise on actions that can help to deliver the expected volumes.

Reporting Relationships:

• Reports to The Head of Planning
• Works with other Support functions like Supply Planning, Marketing, Sales, Finance, factory, Inbound and Outbound logistics.  

Qualification & Experience

• Minimum of university degree or equivalent in Finance or Business.
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years Planning experience in an FMCG environment. Demand planning experience will be an advantage.
• Two years’ relevant operational experience in at least one of the following areas - Sales, Customer Service, Supply Planning, Marketing, Finance (Business Planning / Dynamic Forecasting)
• Expert Level proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel
• Relevant certification is an additional advantage
• Meticulous and analytical approach to data
• Good interpersonal, facilitation and Communication Skills