Demand planning specialist, Georgia & Armenia

Overview

Ensure process of developing and managing demand forecasts at multiple levels of aggregation in short-term horizons as part of a Demand Plan.

Responsibilities

• Ensure process of developing and managing demand forecasts at multiple levels of aggregation in short-term horizons as part of a Demand Plan and according to procedures for the following processes: History Upload, Clean History, External Variable Upload, Generate Forecast Baseline, Enrich Forecast, Demand Review, Publish Forecast, Store Forecast, Transfer Forecast, Review performance, Master Data Maintenance.

• Ensure collaboration with Commercial team in demand planning process to developing a rolling forecast in accordance with the established procedure.

• Ensure interaction of DP team with Sales, Marketing, and Customer Finance to get insights of demand forecast factors, to make sure that the latest and accurate information is used for demand forecasts and consensus reached on operational demand forecasts through collaborative planning process.

• Ensure processes of managing forecast enrichment: Promotions and NPD’s planning volumes are aligned with Sales & Marketing and analyzes of promotional activities, new products’ launches and product's seasonal variation are take place.

• Ensure weekly Demand Review process: unconstrained demand forecast is aligned with supply ability and consensus short-term demand (16 weeks horizon) with all updated assumptions, risks and opportunities is provided and reviewed.

• Ensure that Demand and Supply Control meetings (operational meeting weekly performed) effectively conducted. Decisions is guided by pre-agreed rules for fast decision making within constraints (frozen periods, stock availability, lead times, customer segmentation, etc.). Gaps to hit the plan is identified and proposed gap management solutions/actions. Minutes, decisions, actions and escalations are provided.

• Ensure alignment of Short-term Demand process with the Demand Management Review (strategic meeting performed once a month): inputs with recommended changes on short-term horizon is provided on DMR forum in the IBP cycle. Closely collaborate with IBP lead to ensure “one set of number” in short-term and long-term forecasting processes.

• Involve actively in other monthly IBP fora (PMR, SMR, IR) and parallel strategic activities (e.g. Portfolio Optimization, Scenario Analyses).

• Ensure that customer/distributor action plans are linked to supply planning and demand planning is involved in initiatives to optimize stock availability.

• Ensure a continuous plan to develop collaborative relationships with the planning and sales team of partners and distributors on joints demand planning.

• Ensure that JDA "Prolink" demand planning software is used and maintained as the main forecasting system tool in accordance with the procedures and recommendations.

• Ensure that error handling is navigated to quickly resolve issues that may impact the usability of visualizations and performance of tool and consultations with sustain team is initiated for solving issues.

• Provide audit and take steps to remedy data quality including making recommendations for end and key users.

• Review KPI’s as a constant process in the demand planning cycle to evaluate forecast performance and improving the accuracy of the forecasting process.

• Regularly ensure identifying gaps and root cause analysis to develop countermeasures, implement them and monitor results upon that.

• If necessary ensure the escalation of issues within and cross functions.

• Be aware of all the mandatory procedures of the processes related to demand planning, including their changes.

• Ensure the passing of internal controls of the processes.

Qualifications

• Higher education in business, economics or related field

• Relevant working experience in planning, reporting or analyzing data

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel

• Analytical thinking

• Ability to work effectively in a team

• Fluency in Georgian, English and Russian languages

• MS Office programs with strong proficiency in Excel; experience with demand planning or forecasting software will be an advantage