Demand Planner SADC at Reckitt

Your responsibilities

• Lead accurate demand forecasting, integrating data on sales, promotions, trends, and seasonality into actionable insights.
• Conduct monthly reconciliation of distributor Stock on Hand (SOH), In-Market Sales (IMS), and shipments to ensure data accuracy and identify variances for corrective action.
• Generate IMS forecasts through analysis of historical trends, promotional calendars, and commercial activity plans; derive shipment forecasts aligned to distributor SOH targets and demand.
• Lead IBP meetings with the commercial team and country managers to deliver an unbiased forecast, identify gaps, and communicate supply constraints or business risks.
• Challenge forecasts when needed using trend analysis, MAPE, BIAS, promotional plans, and media phasing insights.
• Communicate agreed IMEX forecasts to source points via Rapid Response and Supply Planners for stock planning.
• Plan replenishment to maintain targeted service levels and manage the local IBP process for assigned brands and categories.
• Produce, update, and publish key reports, including monthly forecast accuracy, and IBP gap (initial and final); provide SKU volumes to Finance for business forecasts and planning.
• Communicate both risks and opportunities early through the IBP process to enable alignment and proactive action planning.
• Collaborate with source points to ensure optimal production levels.
• Ensure inventory levels and controls remain within budget and aligned to forecast.
• Minimise business waste related to product relaunches and promotions.
• Challenge assumptions and influence other teams when necessary to ensure the best outcomes for our supply chain.

The experience we're looking for

• University degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Rapid Response, SAP Turbo, and MS Office (with strong Excel skills).
• Strong customer-centric approach with a service-oriented mindset.
• Driven by a passion for customer service and an understanding of complex supply chains.
• Experience across various supply chain functions, including Demand and Supply Planning, Inventory Management, Logistics, and S&OP.
• Highly analytical with strong fact-based decision-making skills.
• Ability to work independently, think logically, challenge the status quo, and drive continuous improvement for productivity gains.
• Strong teamwork capability with the ability to lead within a cross-functional environment.
• Committed to continuous improvement and excellence in business processes.
• High level of motivation and a drive for execution; able to act as a catalyst for change.
• Solid understanding of FMCG operations and business dynamics.
• Good command of English.

The skills for success

• Supply Chain Management, Business Partnership, Collaboration and partnership building, Relationship Management, Business Acumen, Productivity management, Improve business processes, Advanced Analytics, Data Analytics, Supply Chain Planning, Logistics Management.

What we offer

• With inclusion at the heart of everything we do, working alongside our four global Employee Resource Groups, we support our people at every step of their career journey, helping them to succeed in their own individual way.