Planning Specialist

*Create and maintain forecast models, incorporating, sales analysis, statistical analysis of actual performance vs planned performance, and understanding the reasons for differences between the forecast and actual sales.
*Be the integration point between the Category Team (responsible for the strategic direction of the category as well as responding to the day-to-day operational demand) and the S&OP/ Printer Way Planning team (responsible for placing, tracking, clearing, and costing of orders).
*Create and maintain high-level supplier purchase plans over a defined period (annual, seasonal, strategic buy) and lead the conversation with the supplier, internal category team and around these plans, the inputs going into them, and the potential risks and challenges.
*Translate the forecasting activities into plans to understand the Category performance against the monthly budgets and targets, understand which levers to influence to achieve the monthly targets.
*Continuously drive supply chain efficiencies and analyze the cost to understand what improvements can be made or changes in the way we order products to improve landed cost.
*Report on any risk stock (overstocks and out of stocks) and the impact thereof to the key stakeholders, including the category team, and to ensure appropriate action can be taken to mitigate against this risk.
*Prepare the high-level reports needed by the business and key stakeholders on a regular or Adhoc basis.
*Lead, mentor, and coach a high-performing planning team for the chilled category.
*Create and maintain a robust demand forecast plan, by gathering, analyzing, and validating data.
*Review this demand plan against finance budgets and stock targets, suppliers'' plans, and targets. Present, solicit, and assess feedback between the different stakeholders.
*Recommend adjustments needed to operational forecast and review promotional plans with the category team.
*Where needed achieve consensus for a strategic, seasonal, and operational forecast by facilitating the necessary conversations with all stakeholders.
*Provide the Printers Way planning team with the required stock to be purchased, review proposed orders, get sign-off from stakeholders where needed and facilitate conversation to resolve any challenges relating to specific orders.
*Continuously look for opportunities to improve efficiencies within the supply chain and by performing what-if analysis understand potential impacts of such improvements. *Present the Category Team and Commercial Executives for sign-off and facilitate implementation.
*Prepare the high-level reports needed by the business and key stakeholders on a regular or Adhoc basis.
*Track and report on risk stock, including overstocks, short-dated stock, and potential out of stocks to all stakeholders. Advise corrective action where applicable and manage the implementation of corrective action plans. Report on the potential financial impact on the business. Printers Way and Warehouse teams to support.
*Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, being the planning team within, the Category Team internally in the business, and the nominated person(s) within the supplier base. Responsible for operational communication to these stakeholders.

Key Skills
*Ability to achieve targets in a dynamic and competitive business environment.
*Ability to build and nurture trust with team members, customers and suppliers.
*Strong execution skills.
*Ability to communicate in a clear and confident manner.
*Ability to illicit cooperation from teams, management and external stakeholders.
*Experience building and cultivating effective working relationships with multiple stakeholders (internal & external).
*Effective conflict management and negotiation skills.
*Strong business acumen.
*Analytical thinker and problem solver.
*Emotionally resilient and able to manage a pressured working environment.
*Action orientated.
*A team player with strong inter-personal skills.