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JOB PURPOSE
Supply Chain Planning plays a critical role in enabling manufacturing excellence by translating business demand into executable production and material plans. The function ensures optimal balance between service level, cost, and inventory by integrating demand signals, production capability, supplier readiness, and inventory management. Through strong cross‑functional and external collaboration, Planning safeguards business continuity while supporting sustainable growth.
Enable the Business Unit to succeed by delivering strong service and supporting growth. As Demand Planner, you will own the end-to-end rolling demand forecast and drive both short-term S&OE and long-term S&OP cycles for your portfolio. You will act as a key business partner to Commercial, Marketing, and Customer Development teams to translate market drivers into accurate volume plans. You will also lead KPI performance analysis and deploy digital planning tools to continuously optimize forecast quality and support overall business growth.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Demand Forecasting & S&OP Execution
• Rolling Forecast Ownership: Lead Demand Planning Meeting (DPM) to generate and own the integrated 0-24 month rolling volume demand plan for the assigned portfolio that aligns with category strategy.
• S&OE & S&OP Alignment: Identify demand gap in customer for short-term S&OE execution (next 3-4 months) and medium-to-long-term S&OP plan to enable proper supply planning, inventory and business waste optimization.
• Baseline Modeling: Build statistical baseline forecasts by applying machine learning (ML) models and monitor ML adoption to foster non-touch forecast.
• Innovation & Promo Forecasting: Partner with Marketing and CSP to create accurate volume forecasts for new products, innovations, and special promotional packs with clear growth drivers & volume assumption.
• Dcom Forecasting: Deploy Dcom demand forecasting model based on demand driver, with weekly forecast refreshes. Partner cross-functionally with Media, CSP and Marketing and Key Account to capture the latest customer insights and intergrate into forecasting, enabling agility and responsiveness in supply planning.
2. Performance Tracking & Data Analysis
• Driver Actualization Review: Analyse actual vs. planned sales data & develop tool and technique to evaluate the performance of underlying demand drivers that have been built in DPM.
• KPI & Root Cause Analysis: Track and report key metrics (Forecast Accuracy, Bias, etc.), performing deep-dives to drive corrective actions.
• Demand Movement Tracking: Own the set of forecasts by closely monitor forecast movement in each bucket such as cycle, monthly, weekly with transparency of change and highlight to supply planning or business team if movement is sufficient.
3. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Risk Management
• Business Partnering: Coordinate with cross-functional teams (CSP, CDE, Marketing, CMI) to gather business insights and market trend to enhance forecast reliability and align forecast.
• Risks & Opportunities: Identify and reconcile ad-hoc volumes to effectively manage supply chain risks and commercial opportunities.
• Service Level Monitoring: Partner with the MSO Planner & Customer Service to monitor customer service rate and ensure order opportunity is captured.
• S&OP Optimization: Collaborate with cross-function & Integrated Planning Manager to continuously improve the flow & efficiency of SnOP Process.
4. System and Digital Transformation
• DP Key User: Act as the key user and system operator for core planning platforms (Kinaxis and Splanner).
• Digital Tool Deployment: Implement new digital initiatives and advanced planning tools (e.g., Anaplan, machine learning algorithms, Dcom Forecasting Model) to continuously improve forecast quality.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management or equivalent.
• (4+) years’ relevant experience in supply chain; project management experience is a plus.
• Strong Excel skills, Power Query, Power Pivot, and Power BI.
• Proficiency in Kinaxis, SAP, and digital tools is a plus.
• Strong data analytics and technical capabilities.
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and cross-functional stakeholder management.
• Quick learner, adaptive team player, and natural problem solver.
• Good written and verbal English communication.
Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.