About the position
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: [Email Address Removed]
Subject 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.
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.
Desired Skills:
- supply chain
- procurement
- operations
