Assistant Demand Planning Manager-icd Job in Unilever

Demand Planner

Main Purpose of the Role:

The Demand Planner is responsible for owning, facilitating, and administrating the forecasting and S&OP process for categories and channels. The role involves creating demand plans, analyzing data, and driving cross-functional collaboration to ensure accurate and efficient forecasting.

Main Accountabilities:

• Analyze Demand Patterns: Develop a demand construct at the SKU level based on historical data, trends, and inputs from key stakeholders.
• Unbiased Decision Making: Make decisions related to up-lifts/down-lifts based on insights from Brand and Customer Marketing Teams.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Liaise with teams such as Brand, Customer Marketing, Supply Planning, Customer Service, Category/Channel Finance, and others to drive the S&OP process for categories.
• Short-Term Forecasting: Partner with Branch teams to develop and refine short-term forecasts, aligning with current market realities.
• Channel and Category Management: Manage complexities related to channel behaviors, category ambition vs. channel reality, and seasonality.
• Stakeholder Communication: Ensure effective communication with all relevant stakeholders to achieve consensus on demand plans and ensure alignment across teams.
• Continuous Improvement: Periodically review the QGP/3TDP forecast, analyze forecast accuracy and bias, and implement improvements to enhance key forecasting metrics (KPI s).
• Event Planning: Coordinate and plan for events (e.g., Big Day, Public Holidays) to ensure demand is accurately forecasted and met.
• Market Intelligence: Identify demand drivers influenced by changing economic landscapes and adjust forecasting processes accordingly.

Skills and Competencies:

• Effective Communication: Strong ability to communicate with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders to ensure clarity and alignment.
• Analytical Skills: Excellent ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions.
• Growth Mindset: A proactive, continuous learning attitude, with an openness to process improvements and new methodologies.

Requirements:

• Qualification: MBA in Supply Chain or Operations.
• Experience: 3 8 years in Demand Planning and SAP-APO.
• Industry: Experience in FMCG & Pharma, Consumer Durables, or E-Commerce industries.

Key Skills:

• Demand Planning & SAP-APO: Proven expertise in demand planning and proficiency in SAP-APO.
• Communication & Analytics: Strong communication and analytics skills, with the ability to form clear, data-backed viewpoints and drive action based on insights.
• Self-Starter: Ability to take ownership of tasks, proactively seek solutions, and make decisions based on data and information.

This role offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, cross-functional environment, where you will contribute directly to the demand forecasting process, influence strategic decisions, and ensure optimal alignment across multiple stakeholders.