Demand Planning Specialist

Job Title: Demand Planning Specialist

We are seeking a highly skilled Demand Planning Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for managing the demand planning process by cluster and generating a validated consensus forecast considering the input of the statistical baseline and working in collaboration with the Sales & Marketing team including all associated governance and risk management.

You will be the single point of contact for the Commercial organization on demand planning information.

You will lead IBP Demand Reviews and Market Consensus Sign Off.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the Demand Review meetings with the Sales & Marketing teams in the local market, reviewing recommended sales, budget and inventory goals, new product introduction, promotions, samples and tenders and ensure to get the sign-off for the consensus forecast.
• Prepare and analyze all data pertinent to creating the demand forecast (historical sales, market trends, seasonality, promotions and inventory levels).
• Conduct stress tests on forecasts to evaluate their resilience and accuracy in various scenarios, ensuring robustness and reliability in forecasting models.
• Manage Product Life cycle forecast (new product introduction, discontinuations)
• Use like-modelling and phase-in/phase-out functionalities to support the Demand Forecasts creation.
• Work in collaboration with NPI Manager to fine-tune the demand forecast for new products.
• Lead the revision, adjustment, validation and release of 24-36 months consensus forecast.
• Continuously improve forecasting techniques, method, and approach
• Measure forecast accuracy and layout action plans for improvement at market/cluster levels.
• Lead the elaboration of the SCA from a market perspective, focus on target service levels, actual & target forecasts accuracy, shelf-life constraints, market-related lead-times, replenishment coverage, etc.
• Work in collaboration with different stakeholder to optimize safety & target stock levels
• Ensure market-related planning master data and parameters are accurate and up to date.
• Assess constrained supply plan impacts on the markets.
• Collaborate with Platform Supply Planner on allocation optimization,
• Manage allocation process inside its region, inform markets, and manage escalation.
• Analyze projected inventories and optimize inventory levels in regions and markets.
• Communicate to Sales and Marketing teams any potential backorders or supply concerns to potentially adjust other impacted SKU'S and align with the rest of the organization.
• Support market in case of ad-hoc planning queries & changes until production is finished.
• Manage Shelf-Life aspects of Cluster Specific Stocks
• Lead the resolution of Slow and Dead stock for cluster specific items.

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• Strong knowledge on demand management/forecasting tools, forecasting processes in sales, marketing operations, finance, manufacturing and supply chain issues.
• Undergraduate degree in engineering, scientific or health related field of study (preferred)
• 3 years of relevant experience in demand management, and manufacturing
• 3 years of experience in pharma/animal health industry (preferred)
• Experience using SAP APO DP/SNP. SAP IBP
• Strong analytical skills with a proven ability to analyze/interpret data.
• High degree of proficiency with Excel.
• Experience with DRP/MRP functionality
• Strong knowledge of statistical methods and analytical techniques.
• Proven understanding of manufacturing processes and demand management
• Experience in managing product life cycle and inventory levels.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally with and influence sales and marketing organizations and other management levels and seek relevant data to manage demand forecasts.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize work, goals and tasks in accordance with division and corporate objectives.
• Flexibility and adaptability to the demands and requirements of a fast-paced environment with multiple demands and priorities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Flexible on working hours that includes late nights to accommodate international collaboration.