Demand Planner

Job Purpose

Responsible for developing accurate demand forecasts and translating them into actionable supply and replenishment plans for both distribution and retail operations. The role supports optimal stock availability, inventory efficiency, and alignment with commercial and financial objectives across multiple product categories.

Key Responsibilities

Forecasting

• Develop and maintain weekly, monthly, and annual demand forecasts at SKU, category, and channel level (distribution and retail).
• Incorporate historical sales data, seasonality, promotions, launches, and market trends into forecasts.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Category teams to align forecasts with commercial plans.
• Monitor forecast accuracy and continuously improve forecasting models and assumptions.

Planning

• Convert demand forecasts into supply and inventory plans aligned with lead times, MOQ, and service level targets.
• Support mid-term and long-term planning, including capacity and assortment planning where applicable.
• Participate in S&OP / IBP cycles by preparing inputs, analyses, and recommendations.

Replenishment

• Manage replenishment planning for warehouses and retail outlets to ensure optimal stock levels.
• Generate replenishment proposals and monitor execution to prevent stockouts and overstock.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Logistics, and Warehouse teams on ordering, delivery schedules, and constraints.

Stock Monitoring

• Monitor inventory levels, stock cover, aging, slow-moving and obsolete (SLOB) items.
• Proactively identify risks related to excess inventory or potential shortages and recommend corrective actions.
• Support inventory optimization initiatives across categories and channels.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare weekly and monthly reports covering demand, supply, inventory, forecast accuracy, and KPIs.
• Analyze sales performance versus forecast and explain variances.
• Provide insights and recommendations to improve demand planning, replenishment, and inventory performance.

Presentations & Stakeholder Communication

• Prepare and deliver presentations for management on demand trends, risks, opportunities, and performance.
• Clearly communicate planning assumptions, constraints, and scenarios to internal stakeholders.

Budgeting & AOP (Occasional / Periodic)

• Support the preparation of the annual budget and AOP (Annual Operating Plan) from a demand and volume perspective.
• Provide demand assumptions, scenarios, and category-level projections to Finance and Management.
• Assist in periodic reforecasting exercises linked to budget and AOP reviews.