Demand Planner

**Introduction**:
About the Company

Manassen Foods is one of Australia’s leading manufacturer, importer, marketer and distributor of fine food products. Our brands include S&W Mayonnaise, Wokka Noodles, Marion’s Kitchen, Golden Days, Trident, Angas Park and Sunbeam Foods to name a few.

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Demand Planner who will be responsible for the final demand forecast plan for a portfolio of products for Manassen Food Group and the supply plan for a portfolio of manufacturers and suppliers.

**Description**:
About the Role

Reporting to the National Planning Manager you will work closely with our supply planning, warehouse and logistics teams to ensure the correct stock is available and in place within our supply chain.

**Key responsibilities include**:

- Utilise forecasting tools and analysis to ensure monthly and weekly forecasts are accurate for procurement / manufacturing of goods into the Manassen Foods network.
- Manage the final demand plan for a portfolio of products including allocation where required to ensure all customers are fairly provided for based on future demand plan.
- Collaborate with Supply Chain, Account Managers and Sales teams to improve demand planning processes.
- Advocate for better forecast accuracy to drive productive supply levels at all times.
- Manage future stock with limited shelf life to minimize waste and stock write-off at warehouse.
- Monitor inventory movements closely and be able to respond to any queries.
- Ensure supply chain plans are in place and executed for each SKU by location whilst identifying supply issues and managing resolution appropriately.
- Manage stock exposure for slow moving lines to keep wastage under control
- Manage key risks & opportunities to the forecast providing visibility for gap management to budget.
- Collaborate with the sales team to incorporate promotional and new product launch plans into the demand forecast
- Provide insights into product performance at monthly Business Category Review forums

Skills, Experience and Abilities
- Experience in demand planning, ideally within FMCG or Pharmaceutcial
- Tertiary qualification in Commerce, Logistics, Science or Engineering or relevant equivalent experience
- Strong analytical skills with proficiency in using demand planning software and tools
- APICS certification desired but not essential.
- Strong computer skills with advanced Microsoft Excel and Access knowledge.
- An understanding of procurement, inventory management and warehousing processes
- Experience in food production based warehousing is desirable
- Experience in the use of appropriate ERP system.
- Strong communication (written and verbal) and influencing skills. In particular, the ability to advocate change and influence internal opinion.
- Highly numerate with the ability to understand data and to interpret it in a lateral manner.
- Ability to propose and deliver continuous improvement initiatives.
- Diplomacy and tact in order to gain support at all levels in the business coupled with confidence, intelligence and business acumen skills to influence abilities and outcomes.
- Detail oriented with the ability to assess all options while thinking laterally
- An individual who is prepared to own a process and accept accountability for performance.
- Decisive, with the ability to make sound decisions, based on experience and good judgement.

The Benefits
- Superb company culture
- Supportive management
- Employee discounts & perks program
- Novated leasing
- Ongoing on the job training and support
- Paid Parental Leave
- Community Service and Volunteer Leave
- Educational Assistance and Study Leave
- Service Recognition Program
- Brand new modern office space at Eastern Creek
- Flexible working options
- Competitive remuneration
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)