Demand Planner at Smith & Nephew

Role Overview:

A highly visible supply chain role that will oversee the Supply &Demand Planning (forecasting and inventory) requirements process. This is a hands-on position responsible for developing and executing Demand Supply & Inventory plans that will enable the business to meet sales and service objectives.  Interdivisional collaboration with other members of the RA, QA, sales, marketing, and customer support teams is paramount to achieve these sales and service objectives.

Strategic Planning

• Forecast 3 months out and 12 month variable plan

Sales Analysis

• Weekly and Monthly analysis and communication around DP KPI's (Forecast Accuracy, Forecast Bias,etc)
• Drive weekly decision making process with sales team (priority and accountability)

Forecasting

• Monthly forecasting process for driving regional and local S&OP
• Identify most appropriate statistical model for SKU portfolio
• Identify variance between stat model and customer demand
• Communicate problematic sku's in terms of complexity
• Identify Slow moving sku's and present to BUD heads for discontinuation once a quarter

MRP

• Calculate stock targets by sku by week
• Manage marketing teams by escalating weeks cover that exceed the maximum or are below minimum covers.
• Proactively manage all excessive and obsolete stock across national network.
• Create and place weekly Purchase Orders on inventory that is needed.

Quarterly & Budget Planning

• Facilitate quarterly and budget planning with preparation of packs and comparison of previous information

Events, Promotion and Tender Forecasting

• Work with the marketing teams to determine activities volume and track the effectiveness of the event
• Question the promotional volume based on the success/failure of past promotions.
• Develop tracker to depict success rate of each event along with assumptions as to success or failure of event

Innovation & Discontinuation Management

• Work with sales and marketing in launching new products (timings, quantity and people affected)
• Manage forecast with Supply Planner to execute stock replenishment
• Manage bleed out stock with sales, marketing and supply planning teams

S&OP Planning forums

• Prepare forecast pack for demand review with Business Unit Directors every month
• Prepare for regional demand review with forecast and KPI updates
• Monthly meetings with financial accounting teams understanding commercial aspect of stock
• Weekly update to Ops team driving inefficiencies and incorrect practices

DRP Planning

• Facilitate weekly depot replenishment through the DRP process
• Analysis on short replenishments and incorrect inventory levels at depots
• Management, Review and Update of safety stock levels to drive accurate DRP process

KPI's

• Forecast Accuracy
• Forecast Bias
• Service Level
• Stock value

Competencies

• Tolerant of stress and pressure
• Proactive
• Attention to detail
• Deadline driven
• Able to plan ahead and manage time
• Able to prioritise
• Innovative and creative

Skill

• Verbal and written communication
• Computer literacy (Microsoft AX, Logility, SAP BO and MS Office intermediate)
• Assertive
• Interpersonal
• Relationship management
• Logical thinking
• Analytical thinking
• Presentation
• Numeracy