Demand Planner, ESA

You might be a strong candidate if you have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Statistics, Economics, or a related field.
  
• A minimum of 5+ years of continuous experience in regional demand planning, supply chain planning, forecasting, or commercial planning.
  
• Experience managing multiple markets within Africa, preferably ESA.
  
• Strong quantitative and numerical skills with advanced Excel capability.
  
• Experience using ERP and planning systems such as SAP, IBP, Oracle, or similar tools.
  
• Experience in FMCG, consumer goods, renewable energy, retail, manufacturing, or distribution industry experience preferred.
  
• Knowledge of regional trade dynamics and supply chain considerations within Africa.
  
• Ability to travel within ESA markets as required.
  
• Strong quantitative evaluation and problem-solving skills.
  
• Commercial and business acumen.
  
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  
• The ability to work effectively across diverse cultures.
  
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
  
• The ability to work in a fast-paced matrix environment.
  

Demand Forecasting and Planning

• Liaise with stakeholders to develop and maintain short, medium, and long-term demand forecasts for ESA markets.
  
• Review historical sales trends, seasonality, market intelligence, promotions, and customer insights to improve forecast accuracy.
  
• Facilitate monthly demand review meetings with cross-functional stakeholders.
  
• Monitor forecast performance and continuously improve forecasting accuracy.
  
• Manage demand planning inputs for new product launches, discontinuations, and promotional activities.
  

Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning

• Contribute to the regional SIOP process by providing accurate demand projections with a target of 85%+ forecast accuracy.
  
• Work closely with global supply planning and procurement teams to align supply availability with market demand, targeting zero stock-outs across all markets.
  
• Identify demand gaps, supply risks, and inventory exposure and recommend mitigation actions.
  

Market and Business Insights

• Review sales performance, inventory trends, and demand patterns across ESA markets.
  
• Track key demand planning KPIs including, but not limited to, forecast accuracy, service levels, inventory turns, quantity value of working capital optimization, and loss of revenue from low inventory levels.
  
• Provide recommendations on trade-offs to optimize working capital requirements for the business.
  
• Provide supply chain health check reporting to management to inform changes in ordering frequency, safety stock definitions, and working capital requirements.
  

Management, Systems and Process Improvements

• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Commercial Finance, and Country Sales and Operations Managers to align commercial plans with demand forecasts.
  
• Work with local procurement teams, coordinate on lead times, and communicate business needs in advance to avoid supply chain bottlenecks.
  
• Maintain accurate demand planning data in ERP and forecasting systems.
  
• Communicate demand risks, assumptions, and forecast changes effectively to stakeholders.
  
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in forecasting tools, planning processes, and reporting capabilities.
  
• Contribute to automation and digital transformation initiatives within supply chain planning.