Africa Demand Planner at Diageo

About the role

• The Demand Planner handles all SAP APO statistical forecasting and data integrity activities.   Creating baseline forecast models to support the monthly S&OP process and owning and driving statistical forecast accuracy performance to achieve targets.  They will collaborate with the DP Business Partner on history adjustments to drive robust statistical forecasts.  Taking ownership for data integrity and ensuring the weekly forecast sent to Supply is applied to the accurate sku/location.

Key Responsibilities

Functions:

• Baseline Forecasting
• Data Management
• S&OP Support

Metrics (at country and at Africa levels):

• Sales Forecast Accuracy -  Monthly and Weekly
• Sales Forecast Bias
• Forecast Value Add by step
• System indicators – Skus with forecast and no sales
• Demand Plan stability
• Extreme error – Oversell /Undersell

 Generate base line statistical demand forecast for at least 18 months rolling:

• Pro-actively works with the Demand Manager and the DP Business Partner, owning the statistical forecast and highlighting deviations to the shipment and/or depletion trends.
• Use and maintain the APO software as the primary forecasting system tool
• Collaborate with DP Business Partner on all forecast history cleaning activities including documenting adjustments and assumptions (market trends, seasonality, promotions).
• Maintain statistical parameters for “best fit” model & generate a baseline at least 18 month rolling.
• Maintain APO master data including CVC creation, disaggregation factors and attributes.
• Analyse outliers through appropriate reports and make corrections.
• Support scenario planning for promotions, innovation and major events (duty, economics change, etc.) through stat analysis.
• Provide reports and insights to maximise the use of baseline forecast.

Provide key input to S&OP/IBP process:

• Participate where relevant in S&OP process to align upon consensus forecast.
• Review statistical input to planning and AOP process and challenge projected growth based on historical trends.
• Collaborate with Demand Business Partners to conduct root cause analysis to identify drivers of forecast error and work together to take the necessary corrective action to drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy and bias performance.

Continuously improve statistical forecasting method:

• Test and implement new models
• Implement standard methodologies
• Support system developments

Experience / skills required: 

• Proven experience in a similar Demand Planning role
• Baseline understanding of the end-to-end Supply Chain Planning processes; Supply Planning, Distribution Requirements Planning, Inventory Planning, Conversion, Logistics, Procurement and Customer Service
• Demonstrated proficiency in statistics and/or forecasting methodologies with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts
• Strong analytical, organizational and decision making skills
• Good communication skills – verbal, written and presentation.
• Proficient in MS applications e.g. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook
• Experience with advanced planning software with Supply Planning (SAP APO system and Business Intelligence/BW )