Purpose:
This role exists to build and run an end-to-end planning engine for Gulf APAC. The Demand & Supply Planner owns the planning cadence, connects commercial, operations and finance, and translates demand signals into executable supply plans. The role is designed to start as an integrated.
Core Mission:
To design and operate an S&OP/IBP-lite planning cadence that balances service, inventory, cost, and cash, while providing clear visibility and decision-making discipline across the business.
Key Responsibilities - Demand Planning
- Own rolling demand forecasts (weekly, monthly, quarterly)
- Consolidate inputs from Sales, Marketing, Promotions, and New Product Introductions
- Analyse historical trends and market intelligence
- Challenge assumptions and biases in demand inputs
- Track forecast accuracy and continuously improve forecast quality
Key Responsibilities - Supply Planning
- Translate demand plans into production, procurement, and inventory plans
- Balance capacity, lead times, MOQ, and working capital constraints
- Identify supply risks and mitigation actions early
- Work closely with Procurement, Manufacturing, and Logistics teams
Planning Cadence & Governance
- Design and lead weekly demand/supply reviews
- Facilitate monthly S&OP or consensus planning meetings
- Define decision rights, escalation paths, and accountability
- Align Sales targets, Supply capability, and Financial outlook Data, Tools & Visibility
- Build and maintain planning models (initially Excel-based)
- Create dashboards for demand/supply gaps, inventory health, and service risks
- Define data standards and planning assumptions
- Partner with IT as planning tools and systems mature
Future State Design
- Design the blueprint for separate Demand and Supply Planning role
- Document processes, handoffs, and governance
- Serve as the centre of excellence for planning capability in APAC
- Act as the regional point of contact for sales on all branded workshop matters, providing guidance, troubleshooting issues, and supporting rollout milestones.
- Coordinate workshop related marketing activations including mechanic promotions, loyalty programmes, incentive schemes, and local campaigns.
- Track and report on programme KPIs including network growth, compliance, volume contribution, and distributor adoption.
- Support ongoing optimisation of the programme by identifying execution gaps and recommending practical improvements (without redesigning core frameworks).
Key Skills and Personal Attributes
Ideal Profile
- 5-8+ years of experience in demand planning, supply planning, or S&OP
- Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, or regional APAC supply chains preferred
- Strong analytical and Excel skills planning system exposure a plus
- Commercially minded with operational understanding
- Able to challenge stakeholders with data and structure ambiguity
Personal Attributes
- Connector across functions
- Structured, pragmatic, and calm under pressure
- Builder mindset with strong ownership
- Trusted advisor rather than order-taker
