Planning & Optimisation Manager

About the position

Our client in the mining and explosive sector is seeking a highly strategic and experienced Planning & Optimisation Manager. This critical role is responsible for leading the end-to-end planning process, ensuring optimal balance between customer demand, supplier performance, and inventory levels across multiple operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse the internal and external business environment to identify constraints, risks, opportunities, and threats, and develop strategies that promote sustainable growth and operational resilience.
• Identify and manage business risks and opportunities, implementing mitigation actions and contingency plans that ensure stability and continuity.
• Develop and execute robust supply, demand, and inventory plans informed by S&OP processes, ensuring optimal allocation of constrained stock and timely adjustments based on changing operational conditions.
• Enhance operational performance by aligning planning processes with operational requirements, driving efficiency, cost optimisation, and resource utilisation.
• Lead and implement optimisation initiatives by identifying operational constraints and developing effective solutions that support business and operational goals.
• Coordinate cross-functional planning and optimisation efforts with procurement, logistics, commercial, operations, and external suppliers to ensure alignment of people, equipment, and material resources.
• Drive continuous improvement through performance monitoring, data analysis, benchmarking, and the establishment of key operational metrics.
• Identify trends, gaps, and improvement opportunities, implementing best practices that streamline operations and encourage innovation.
• Ensure all planning and optimisation activities align with organisational strategic objectives, supporting broader operational execution.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure coordinated actions and shared operational success.
• Produce accurate demand forecasts and planning reports using integrated planning systems, inventory monitoring tools, and data visualisation dashboards to support informed supply chain decision-making.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing planning and optimisation team, promoting accountability, problem-solving, and strong execution capability.

Requirements

• BCom / BSc in Supply Chain, Planning, Process Optimisation or similar
• Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management or similar (advantageous)
• 7+ years' experience in Supply Chain or Planning & Optimisation roles
• 5+ years people management experience
• 2+ years' experience in explosives, chemicals, mining or other high-risk regulated industries
• Proficiency in Excel, SAP, planning systems, and practical decision-support tools
• Strong background in S&OP, including experience running or co-owning structured planning cycles
• Exposure to heavy industrial or regulated environments (beneficial)

Desired Skills:

• S&OP
• SAP
• Excel