SUMMARY:
Job Title: Group Demand Planner
Department: Supply Chain & Procurement
Location: Durban Head Office, KwaZulu-Natal
Employment Type: Permanent
Closing Date: Until Filled
About Us
Stratogo is a professional recruitment and workforce solutions company specializing in sourcing and placing top talent across various industries.
Our client, a leading FMCG manufacturing company, is seeking an experienced
Group Demand Planner to lead the demand planning process across the business. The successful candidate will be responsible for budgeting, forecasting, Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), demand reviews, and advanced analytics to ensure accurate demand forecasting, optimise inventory levels, improve customer service, and support strategic business decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve demand forecasts using historical sales data, market trends, and business intelligence.
- Lead the demand planning process to ensure forecasts align with supply chain, financial, and commercial objectives.
- Analyse demand fluctuations and recommend strategies to minimise stock shortages, excess inventory, and lost sales.
- Support budgeting, financial planning, and operational forecasting processes.
- Utilise advanced forecasting systems such as SAP, APO, RRP, APS, PPDS, and IBP to improve forecast accuracy.
- Participate in and contribute to Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings.
- Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Planning, Logistics, and Finance teams to align demand and supply plans.
- Provide demand risk analysis, promotional forecasting, and market trend insights to support business planning.
- Develop dashboards, reports, simulations, and forecasting models to improve decision-making.
- Monitor key demand planning KPIs including forecast accuracy, forecast bias, inventory turns, customer service levels, and forecast error.
- Apply predictive analytics and scenario modelling to improve forecasting performance.
- Support Procurement and Supply Planning teams in proactively managing supply constraints.
- Drive automation, continuous improvement initiatives, and best practice demand planning processes.
- Identify opportunities to improve inventory management, reduce costs, optimise working capital, and improve service levels.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree or National Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Economics, Statistics, Business Management, or a related qualification.
- APICS or CIPS qualification will be advantageous.
- Proven experience in Demand Planning within an FMCG or Manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), demand forecasting methodologies, and financial planning.
- Advanced experience with forecasting systems including SAP, APO, RRP, APS, PPDS, IBP, or similar platforms.
- Strong experience in business intelligence, data analytics, forecasting, and predictive modelling.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills are essential.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent forecasting and data interpretation abilities.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong planning, organisational, and project management abilities.
- High attention to detail with exceptional numerical accuracy.
- Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and within cross-functional teams.
- Continuous improvement mindset with strong business process optimisation skills.
What is on Offer
- Competitive salary package.
- Opportunity to join a leading FMCG manufacturing organisation.
- Exposure to strategic Supply Chain and Demand Planning initiatives.
- Career growth and professional development opportunities.
How to Apply
Send your CV to:
Tasmim.Cassim@stratogo.comSubject Line: Group Demand Planner
Please note: Only applicants with
FMCG Manufacturing Demand Planning experience will be considered.
Note: If you do not receive a response within three weeks of submitting your application, kindly consider your application unsuccessful.
POSITION INFO:
We are committed to locating the ideal job for you, so we kindly advise against paying for this service. There are no costs associated with securing employment with us.
