Demand Planner at Dis-Chem Pharmacies

Job Description

• Dis-Chem Pharmacies’ in Midrand has an opportunity available for a Demand Planner (Beauty) to join the team. The purpose of this role is to manage the demand and supply requirements for the relevant category. 
• This involves creating and maintaining sales and income forecasts and related buy-plans to ensure the appropriate quality and quantity of inventory is purchased to support category strategy and achieve business objectives.

Minimum Requirements…

Essential:

• Grade 12 / Matric
• BCom Accounting, Quantitative Management, Logistics and Supply Chain or Inventory Management qualification
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in Planning

Advantageous:

• SAP experience or certification and Advance Excel.
• Previous experience in Inventory Planning and Procurement, Business Analysis and Customer Service and Experience in Pharmaceutical or FMCG.

Job Specification…

• Analyse future planning and projections for all global sourcing requirements for both Dis-Chem stores and Distribution Centre’s (DC’s).
• Ensure the effective utilisation of forecasting methods and software tools to deliver and monitor forecast accuracy.
• Establish and maintain consolidated reports.
• Analyse and maintain long range sales forecasts on a weekly basis to ensure recommended order quantities are based on reasonably accurate sales forecasts.
• Conduct daily and weekly analysis and monitoring of all POS activity to develop the right forecast and delivery strategy.
• Analyse Dis-Chem stores and DC’s flows to predict potential out of stocks and determine the best actions to address.
• Monitor and understand demand plan accuracy with the aim of minimising inaccuracies and the impact thereof.
• Analyse reports daily to identify issues that impact in-stock and or inventory at both store level and DC’s, to optimise availability and maximise inventory efficiency.
• Review orders and ensure they are within DSC guidelines.
• Review recommended replenishment purchase orders on a weekly basis, and place orders as required to maintain adequate levels of inventory across the supply chain network.
• Review orders and ensure they are within OTB guidelines.
• Forecast import DC stock split, to be used in the planning of required stock allocation or delivery for the first month and preceding months.
• Analyse past and current business trends and provide recommendations and improve opportunities; gain alignment on recommendations and implement findings.
• Display anomalies and assist in relevant changes advised by buyers to rework necessary calculations.
• Running relevant reports for the importance of providing buyers with necessary information for sales and stock at a particular point in time.
• Assist with compiling monthly reports and monthly summaries.
• Establish and maintain monthly status reports and present to the relevant buyer’s and category manager.
• Prepare and update monthly summary of Pharma purchases, to be presented at monthly planning meetings.
• Establish and maintain a relationship among planners, sales, marketing and finance, for effective knowledge sharing and optimal forecasting.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams/departments to incorporate the on-boarding of new products, retirement of old products, customer-specific inventory requirements and regulatory changes into the demand planning process and recommendations.
• Support the Replenishment team on new store setups, inventory analysis and case fill rate.
• Support collaboratively with internal Supply Planning Team on future inventory needs.

Competencies

Essential:

• Highest level of data analysis skills, aptitude for technology and excellent problem solving and initiative skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Time management, self-motivated, results focused and deadline driven.
• Deadline driven.
• Demonstrate proficiency in statistics, forecasting with understanding of financial and operational impacts, and mathematical reasoning.
• English – Read, write and speak well.
• Understanding of basic financial principles.
• Trustworthy, Honest, Enthusiastic and Behave with Integrity.

Special conditions of employment:

• South African citizen
• MIE, clear criminal and credit

Remuneration and benefits:

• Market related salary
• Medical aid
• Provident fund
• Staff account

Closing Date 02 December 2025