Demand & Supply Planner

The above vacancy exists at Trouw Nutrition South Africa and will report to the Supply Chain Manager. The Demand & Supply Planner is responsible for creating, monitoring, analyzing and improving the demand forecast for both the short and long term for the relevant market(s) for various product types, brands and channels. The Demand & Supply Planner works closely with the sales, purchasing, pricing, supply chain and operations teams.

Demand planning is a key role in the S&OP processes, as the forecast it delivers will enable operations to meet the production targets timely, efficiently, and cost effectively. The Demand & Supply Planner combines variety of information from sales, supply chain / procurement, operations (timely, as accurate as possible, useable in qualitative and quantitative terms) in order to properly forecast the products that need to be produced.

Trouw Nutrition South Africa is part of Nutreco (a SHV company), one of the major players in animal nutrition. Nutreco is a global leader in animal nutrition and fish feed. Our advanced feed solutions are at the origin of food for millions of consumers worldwide. Quality, innovation and sustainability are guiding principles, embedded in the Nutreco culture from research and raw material procurement to products and services for agriculture and aquaculture. Experience across 100 years brings Nutreco a rich heritage of knowledge and experience for building its future.

Job Description:

Forecasting

• Prepares as accurate as possible the demand forecast for all products with a horizon of 18 months (using the appropriate forecasting software) in close cooperation with the stakeholders that contribute to this process (Sales, Operations, Supply Chain), by gathering and analysing data, apply statistical modelling and review and validate the results, in order to deliver a reliable forecast as part of the S&OP process
• Maintain demand planning master data and systems and software, maintain relevant data and monitor / analyse trends
• Responsible for monitoring the forecast accuracy & bias with sales and is constantly looking for solutions and tools to improve the accuracy of the planning with sales, supply chain and operations.
• Responsible for translating the product forecast into the required raw materials including developing the Rough Cut Capacity Plan.
• Work with global supply points to keep them informed of expected requirements based on the forecast

Data and information gathering

• Collects timely the right input / data and information from sales (and marketing) about seasonal effects, sales plans, promotions, market trends, distribution changes, tenders, product introductions and product terminations in order to combine all relevant information into the forecast
• Identifies variances based upon historical production performance and expected future activities of products, and planning inventory needs for future demand
• Identifies relevant market-related data and competitive intelligence that is relevant for the demand forecasting process
• Identify sales opportunities and risks and propose push sales on available capacities and RM

Collaborative planning

• Prepares relevant material to facilitate discussion and facilitates / manages the monthly Demand and Supply meetings, in which the input from sales & marketing is discussed beforehand
• Achieves consensus for operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process with sales & marketing
• Get input from Customer service teams when required
• Collaborate with key customers planning teams to tend to collaborative and integrated plan.

Stock Control

• Timely informs stakeholders when stock levels, outbound deliveries and/ or customer service are at risk
• Contributes to an optimal balance between production and stock orders

Continuous improvement

• Timely informs stakeholders when stock levels, outbound deliveries and/ or customer service are at risk

Projects

• Timely informs stakeholders when stock levels, outbound deliveries and/ or customer service are at risk

IBP

• Is involved in the IBP process as necessary

Our organisation:

Nutreco is a global leader in animal nutrition and fish feed. Our advanced nutritional solutions are at the origin of food for millions of consumers worldwide. Quality, innovation and sustainability are guiding principles, embedded in the Nutreco culture from research and raw material procurement to products and services for agriculture and aquaculture. Experience across 100 years brings Nutreco a rich heritage of knowledge and experience for building its future.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Nutreco is an equal opportunity employer; applicants are considered for all roles without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental, military status or any other status protected by applicable local law. Please advise us at any point during the recruitment and selection process if you require accommodation. Nutreco is committed to compliance with all applicable legislation, including providing accommodation for applicants with disabilities.