Demand and Production Planner

Overview

The demand, supply and production planner is a highly visible supply chain role that is responsible for overseeing and optimizing the balance of inventory across all regions and sectors in the supply chain network in line with inventory turnover objectives and customer satisfaction goals. The job is about leading the demand planning function and process by coordinating people, activities and meetings that contribute to developing the consensus demand plan. It requires close collaboration with sales people and category managers to reach consensus on the demand plan. The role will also support production by ensuring optimal production plans that guarantee production target while also ensuring optimal and reliable systems information are executed on.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in business, supply chain management or operations

Advantageous Qualification:

• APICS Certification
• DDI Certification
• APICS/SAPICS/CIPS member

Experience

• Minimum 5 years Supply Chain experience
• Extensive business experience in Supply Chain roles (Demand and Supply Planning, Procurement, Production, Logistics, Materials Management)
• Proven leadership with inventory planning, demand planning or inventory control
• Knowledge of integrated planning software & various ERP systems is preferred
• Strong Excel skills required, development of analytical models in Excel
• Demonstrated ability to lead without authority
• Strong customer orientation, and sense of ownership
• Strong analytical skills, detailed oriented, excellent communication and team building skills
• Ability to deal with complexity and manage ambiguity
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Collaborative skills in resolving excess or shortage inventory situations
• S&OP
• Master data management
• Product Life cycle management and product viability analysis
• Supplier Life cycle management and supplier viability analysis
• Price and contract systems development

Advantageous Work Experience

• DDMRP
• AX
• International vendor management

Duties

Demand and Supply Planning

• Manage the Planning function to deliver high service level with optimised inventory level
• Lead the cross functional S&OP meeting and meetings leading up to the S&OP
• Implement and drive company-wide acceptance of Demand Driven metric objectives (Operational, Tactical and Strategic)
• Holds team accountable for effectively utilizing the business system, driving key regional, departmental and individual metrics, and performance objectives
• Reviews current stocking strategies in conjunction with national goals to determine replenishment plan, master data, and target service levels
• Determine correct sizing inventories while maintaining the target service levels to Hub, Spoke, & customer locations
• Create and implement standardized materials management processes to address surplus, distressed, aged, and excess stock
• Coordinate new product introduction in supply chain by setting desired business system planning/demand parameters and initial stocking quantities
• Coordinates applications for new products and blends; submits completed documentation to Product Information Group for final approval and data entry
• Assist in development and implementation of key performance metrics for materials organization
• Support the company with supply and consensus demand planning processes with data and analysis
• Incorporates modeling, situation analysis, problem diagnosis, & operations analysis to support business decision making with financial analysis
• Initiate/Participate in self-development and training, coaching, mentoring, performance management, talent management & succession planning of team
• Manage the Buying team to ensure policies and procedures are adhered to
• Monitor dashboard and QAA (Quick Action Alerts) to ensure system adherence. Drive corrective actions with all stakeholders
• Manage the relationship with B2Wise and negotiate contract and ongoing product development
• Provide or facilitate AX training as required

Production Planning

• Delivered weekly production targets

  • Prepare weekly production plan, determine under/over utilisation and develop plans to address
  • Evaluate and release recommended WO’s in DDMRP (what, when, where, how many)
  • Firm up and process WO transactions in AX
  • Adjust the production plan as required and communicate changes timeously to stakeholders (especially where this will result in OTIF failure)
  • Monitor QAA (Quick Action Alerts) to ensure DDMRP system adherence
  • Prepare and distribute weekly OTIF report
  • Work closely with the Regional Buyer to ensure a high level of Raw Material and Packaging availability

Weekly Maintenance Planning

• Develop weekly maintenance planning and assist in upgrading of plant systems (track plan vs actual)
• Issue and capture maintenance requisitions as required

Accurate systems data and information

• Work closely with Supply Chain Planners to ensure a high level of master data accuracy
• Perform weekly cycle counts for Solvents, BTP and Raw Materials
• Work closely with QC lab and production team to ensure receipted product is within required specification

Assist team members and constructive team relations

• Assist team members as and when required and take on duties over and above what is described here (as the nature of the role changes and as circumstances dictate)
• Demonstrate SHE leadership by performing weekly site inspection and report findings to senior management
• Identify continuous process improvement

Job Competencies

Business Acumen - Essential

Conflict Management - Essential

Customer Focus - Strong focus

Timely Decision Making - Strong Focus

Developing Direct Reports and Others - Essential

Functional Technical Skills - Mastery

Innovation Management - Essential

Integrity and Trust - Strong Focus

Motivating Others - Essential

Problem Solving - Essential

Drive for Results - Essential

Strategic Agility - Essential

Managing Vision and Purpose - Essential

General