Strategic Supply Chain Planner

We are seeking a talented professional to implement integrated business planning for the first time with a popular FMCG brand.

Growth is exponential, we are commercialising and launching innovative new products, optimising the supply chain and much more.

The Context:

Our organisation is a thriving Australian FMCG brand forecasting double digit growth for the next five years. Benefiting from a strong portfolio of successful products in high demand throughout all the leading supermarkets Australia, and complimented by an innovative pipeline of new products that excite consumers nationwide.

It is a prosperous era of growth and development. As the IBP Manager you will use your expertise to evolve the Supply Chain Planning function to enable synergy between the in house manufacturing in Victoria and the brand new national distribution network.

This is the first time this organisation is embracing IBP, so you will be leading the organisation on the journey.

The Role:

• Prepare content and lead monthly Integrated Business Planning Meetings to drive consensus on plans with stakeholders from the Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Quality and Logistics Divisions.
• Develop and manage key individuals and decision makers and lead and facilitate the executive IBP meetings.
• Co-ordinate supply and demand planning between Sales Division and Manufacturing. This will involve analysing forecasts from the demand planning team with the manufacturing supply planning team to enable effective capacity planning and ultimately inventory levels throughout the chain.
• Manage the development, roll-up and communication of demand plan and inventory management activities by balancing interests of multiple Sales channels and functional teams.
• Proactively conduct account reviews with all assigned Sales teams on a regular basis to review service needs and usage trends. This will involve presenting on key metrics to divisional stakeholders to evaluate performance against goals and objectives of Sales channels.
• Recommend improvements and implement recommendations for improvements to the extended supply chain process in order to gain efficiencies in both processes and the customers IBP related processes.
• Estimate sales, monitor budget, and revenue achievement as it relates to IBP.
• Provide Strategic insight and advocating opportunities to maximise effectiveness of IBP activities in a commercial manner which is underpinned by quality and safety.
• Deliver our long-term strategy for IBP implementation and ongoing management with the goal of ensuring continuation of supply to customers and the overall de-risking of our key supply chains.
• Develop strategic IBP channel management plans which deliver our sustainability, risk management, responsible supply outcomes in line with the strategic 5-year plan.
• Support the factory and business with all aspects of IBP planning. Understand factory needs / supplier and customer insights / local constraints and regulation.
• Effectively manage internal and external stakeholders

Attributes:

• Commercial acumen and agility: Understanding of profit drivers externally (e.g. suppliers) and internally to drive effective commercial outcomes
• The drive to partner with multiple business divisions and an ability to challenge and influence decisions across functional teams
• Strong experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Exceptional business writing skills
• Ability to distil analysis and generate insights which spur executional actions;
• Disciplined planning and follow up
• Strong supply chain change / project management capability

Knowledge/Skills:

• Expert understanding of IBP Management practices
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations or Finance is required. (An MBA or a Masters in Industrial Engineering or Supply Chain Management will be highly regarded)
• An advanced knowledge of SAP for Supply Chain Management

Experience:

• Commercial experience in an FMCG Supply Chain is essential
• Hands on working experience with demand/inventory planning for manufacturing & logistics environment is required
• Must have knowledge of demand management/forecasting tools, forecasting processes in sales, marketing operations, finance, manufacturing and supply chain issues & demand planning tools
• Lean Manufacturing, Process Excellence/Six Sigma training and/or certification
• Background in process improvements and product launches desirable