The position involves overseeing key operational tasks while collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve strategic objectives. Responsibilities include managing project timelines, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, and optimizing workflow efficiency. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in a related field, along with a minimum of three years of relevant experience in a similar role. Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with proficiency in industry-standard software. The ideal candidate will demonstrate leadership capabilities and a commitment to continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment.
The Inventory and Demand Planner is responsible for generating precise demand forecasts and facilitating integrated planning initiatives across East and Southern Africa, encompassing approximately seven markets.
The Planner will drive inventory optimization, ensure product availability, and enhance supply chain efficiency by leveraging data-driven forecasting and fostering cross-functional collaboration. The inventory encompasses diverse product categories such as smartphones, televisions, and the core solar product line, collectively accounting for approximately $770 million in annual procurement volume.
This role will collaborate extensively with procurement, operations, sales, marketing, finance, commercial, and global supply planning teams to harmonize market demand, inventory levels, and operational capacities across the eight markets.
What you will be expected to do:
Responsible for anticipating product demand and strategically planning inventory levels to meet market requirements, the Demand Forecasting and Planning role ensures optimal stock availability while minimizing excess inventory and associated costs. This position collaborates with cross-functional teams, including sales, marketing, and supply chain, to analyze market trends, historical sales data, and external factors influencing demand. Additionally, it develops and maintains forecasting models, monitors forecast accuracy, and adjusts plans as needed to align with business objectives. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in data analysis tools, and experience with statistical forecasting methods are essential for success in this role.
Collaborate with stakeholders to establish and sustain accurate short-, medium-, and long-term demand forecasts specifically for ESA markets.
Analyze historical sales patterns, seasonal variations, market intelligence, promotional impacts, and customer insights to enhance forecast precision.
Organize and lead monthly demand review meetings in collaboration with stakeholders from various departments.
Track forecast performance diligently and implement ongoing enhancements to increase forecasting precision.
Oversee the compilation and analysis of demand planning inputs essential for new product launches, product discontinuations, and promotional initiatives.
The Sales, Inventory, and Operations Planning (STOP) process orchestrates the alignment of demand forecasts, inventory levels, and operational capacities to ensure efficient resource utilization and customer demand fulfillment. This role involves analyzing market trends, sales data, and supply chain dynamics to develop strategic plans that optimize inventory turnover, minimize stock outs, and reduce excess inventory. Responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams—such as sales, production, procurement, and finance—to synchronize production schedules, procurement activities, and distribution logistics. Additionally, the position requires monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) like forecast accuracy, inventory turnover ratios, and service level agreements to identify trends, mitigate risks, and drive continuous improvement in operational efficiency. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in data-driven decision-making, and expertise in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are essential for success in this role.
Drive accurate demand projections for the regional STOP process, targeting a forecast accuracy of 85% or higher.
Collaborate effectively with global supply planning and procurement teams to ensure supply availability aligns with market demand, with a focus on achieving zero stock-outs across all markets.
Assess demand shortfalls, potential supply disruptions, and inventory vulnerabilities to develop and propose strategic mitigation measures.
We gather and analyze market data to identify trends, opportunities, and competitive dynamics that inform strategic business decisions. This role involves conducting thorough research, creating insightful reports, and presenting findings to stakeholders to support data-driven strategies. Key responsibilities include monitoring industry developments, assessing market conditions, and evaluating the impact of external factors on business performance. Strong analytical skills, proficiency in data tools, and the ability to translate complex information into actionable insights are essential. Experience in market research, business intelligence, or a related field is required, along with excellent communication skills to convey insights effectively to diverse audiences.
Analyze and evaluate sales performance, inventory trends, and demand patterns across all ESA markets to identify key insights and opportunities for optimization.
Monitor and evaluate critical demand planning key performance indicators (KPIs), such as forecast accuracy, service levels, inventory turnover ratios, the monetary value of working capital efficiency, and revenue losses attributable to insufficient inventory levels.
Offer strategic guidance on balancing trade-offs to enhance working capital efficiency for the business.
Supply chain health check reports must be provided to management to support adjustments in ordering frequency, safety stock parameters, and working capital allocations.
We specialize in enhancing operational efficiency through strategic management initiatives, system optimizations, and process refinements to drive organizational growth and effectiveness. This role requires expertise in identifying inefficiencies, implementing data-driven solutions, and fostering continuous improvement across departments. Key responsibilities include analyzing workflows, redesigning systems for scalability, and ensuring seamless integration of new methodologies to align with business objectives. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, proficiency in change management, and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve measurable outcomes.
Collaborate effectively with Sales, Marketing, Commercial Finance, and Country Sales and Operations Managers to ensure commercial strategies align seamlessly with demand forecasts.
Collaborate closely with local procurement teams to align on lead times and proactively communicate business requirements, thereby mitigating potential supply chain disruptions.
Ensure the precision of demand planning data within ERP and forecasting systems.
Effectively convey demand risks, underlying assumptions, and adjustments to forecasts to all relevant stakeholders.
Lead efforts to enhance forecasting tools, planning processes, and reporting capabilities through ongoing improvement initiatives.
Play a key role in advancing automation and digital transformation efforts specifically within supply chain planning processes.
A strong candidate for this position would possess the following qualifications and attributes.
A Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Statistics, Economics, or a comparable discipline is required.
A minimum of five years of hands-on, uninterrupted experience in regional demand planning, supply chain planning, forecasting, or commercial planning is required.
Proven track record in overseeing diverse market operations across Africa, with a preference for East and Southern Africa (ESA).
Possesses robust quantitative and numerical proficiency alongside expert-level Excel skills.
Proven proficiency in utilizing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and advanced planning tools, including SAP, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), Oracle, or comparable platforms, is required.
Professional experience in industries such as FMCG, consumer goods, renewable energy, retail, manufacturing, or distribution is advantageous.
Possesses a solid understanding of the intricacies of regional trade patterns and supply chain operations across the African continent.
Capable of undertaking travel within ESA markets as needed.
Demonstrates exceptional proficiency in quantitative analysis and adept problem-solving capabilities.
Demonstrates a strong grasp of commercial and business principles, ensuring strategic decision-making and operational effectiveness. Applies industry knowledge and market insights to drive profitability and sustainable growth. Evaluates financial performance, identifies opportunities, and mitigates risks to optimize business outcomes.
Proven ability to communicate effectively and manage relationships with key stakeholders is essential.
Demonstrates strong cross-cultural competence and adaptability in multicultural environments.
Demonstrates exceptional precision and meticulousness in all tasks.
Demonstrated capability to thrive in a dynamic, matrix-structured organization that operates with agility and cross-functional collaboration.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
Experience Required
5 years
