About Unilever
With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.
At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.
Job Purpose
We are seeking a Market Collaboration Planner who will be responsible for analyzing historical demand, developing demand plans, managing events, and facilitating the demand planning process. The role involves working closely with cross-functional teams to ensure business alignment and consensus in delivering accurate forecasts and addressing supply gaps effectively.
Main Responsibilities
- Generate demand signal by analyzing demand input from the forecast tool (FEU), inputting market intelligence inputs (NPD, promo activity, other strategic implications) and aligning demand signal with the business plan (handshake).
- Managing execution of demand adjustments with the Demand Planner (Capgemini L2).
- Aligning demand requirements with cross-functional stakeholders (CBD, CSP), ensuring congruence with historical performance, business plan sign-offs (handshake, P&L) and strategic plans.
- Key role in the S&OP cycle – leading DRM (Demand Review Meeting) while playing a supporting role in ARM, DSR & CBD Handshake.
- Review daily/ weekly demand trends and coordinates with Sales Ops & CSP on demand adjustments for in-month plan.
- Controls demand adjustments into forecast – NPD pipeline, promo phasing, adhoc promo, step-up plans.
- Works with customer to manage events (activities management process) of above the line activities, below the line activities, documenting assumptions and holding accountable category to ensure activation grid is up-to-date with robust objectives for each event.
- Present the exceptions at the monthly meeting and facilitate the process of reaching consensus on the final forecast number.
- Question the activity base volume projections based on the success or failure of past activities
- Document assumptions for base & changes. Facilitate events discussions, documenting the event objectives and circulating to relevant team members (e.g. marketing, finance).
- Agree the demand plan with Cross functional teams, ensure business alignment and consensus to deliver set forecast.
- Upload agreed demand in Kinaxis, ensuring MD relating to each product is maintained for accurate data flow.
- Communication with Integrated Planning on ensuring correct demand is used for supply planning and that changes are captured.
- Works with Customer Service Leaders to develop scenarios to change the phasing of demand to address supply gaps.
- Communicates scenarios to change the phasing of demand to Category Managers and agrees appropriate action.
- Consider possible mix changes to mitigate supply losses and ensure sales plan delivery with sales team alignment.
- Closely monitor forecast performance metrics and develop action plans for future improvement.
Candidate Criteria
Experience & Qualification
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in supply chain management or related field.
- Minimum 8 years experience in Supply Chain field.
- Extensive Supply Chain experience, ideally across different SC functions.
- Robust knowledge of supply chain from Strategy, Planning, Logistics, Manufacturing, Procurement and Sustainability.
- Finance and business acumen for supply chain.
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and collaborate in a high pressure environment.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, written and verbal. Able to translate ideas into clear and specific project plans.
Leadership
- You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
- As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.
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.