Demand Planner

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Demand Planner leads demand planning for the North, West and East Africa markets, developing and maintaining a validated consensus forecast in partnership with Finance, Sales, and Marketing. The role serves as the primary demand-planning contact for these markets, leads IBP Demand Reviews, and works with Supply Planning and the Global Demand team to manage demand risks and improve forecast performance.

POSITION 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 sales forecast (historical sales, market trends, seasonality, promotions and inventory levels).

• Challenge forecast that is not aligned with logical trends and make recommendations to the Sales & Marketing team to adjust their forecast based on analytical data

• 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

• For make-to-stock items, integrate forecast, inventory and latest supply plan to distribution resource planning (DRP) tool.

• 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 markets to optimize safety & target stock levels

• Own the S&OE reviews and commentary for the markets

• 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

• Manage hub to spoke DC’s operational deployment

• Manage local repacking and auxiliaries planning activities

• Analyze projected inventories and optimize inventory levels in regions and markets

• Communicate to Marketing any potential backorders or supply concerns to potentially adjust other impacted SKUs 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 StocksLead the resolution of Slow and Dead stock for cluster specific itemsSupport fellow Demand Planners with data analysis, forecast challenge, product life-cycle planning, and interpretation of demand planning information.

Key Indicators

• Forecast Accuracy

• Inventory Level / MOH

• Backorders

• Lost Sales

• OTIF

• Cost to Serve (CTS)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Analytics, Mathematics/Statistics, or a related field preferred.

• Strong knowledge on demand management/forecasting tools, forecasting processes in sales, marketing operations, finance, manufacturing and supply chain issues

• >5 years of relevant experience in demand management, and manufacturing

• >3 years of experience in pharma/animal health industry (preferred)

• Experience using IBP DP/Supply, Power BI

TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and drive data-based decisions.

• Proficient in SAP APO DP/SNP, IBP, and DRP/MRP systems

• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Power BI

• 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

• Autonomy (self-managing priorities, reporting & escalating to manager in another country / culture,)

• 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.

• Flexible working hours that include late nights to accommodate international collaboration.

• Proficiency in English (spoken and written) and a second language is a plus

• Strong written and oral communication skills

PHYSICAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Role will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

• The role is primarily computer-based and involves extended periods at a workstation, frequent use of a computer and telephone, and participation in virtual and in-person meetings.

• Willingness to travel to assigned market, if required

• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Report to the Supply Chain and Logistics Lead

• Interact with: Markets/Commercial Colleagues, Supply Planning leaders, Global Planning, Finance, Regulatory, Quality, Legal, Global Logistics and Global Process & System Teams

• Provide demand-planning support and backup coverage to the South Africa (SA) Demand Planner, as required.

About Zoetis

At Zoetis, our purpose is to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals. As a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in animal health, we discover, develop, manufacture and commercialize vaccines, medicines, diagnostics and other technologies for companion animals and livestock. We know our people drive our success. Our award-winning culture, built around our Core Beliefs, focuses on our colleagues’ careers, connection and support. We offer competitive healthcare and retirement savings benefits, along with an array of benefits, policies and programs to support employee well-being in every sense, from health and financial wellness to family and lifestyle resources.

Notice: Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in @zoetis.com and may also initially connect with candidates through LinkedIn, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from @zoetis.com, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications.

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