Manager Demand Planning - EM South at adidas Group

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

• To provide an accurate forecast of future demand which maximizes the sales opportunity while minimize excess stock risk. The primary focus of this is to create alignment between Financial (Sales Planning – IBP), Channel, Brand and Supply Planning using the SAP IBP environment to harmonise and house this single source of truth.

Maintenance of Product Families

• Pre-seasonal alignment with Market Supply Team on seasonal trends in Demand (local Product supply /Global Supply).
• Align Product Family mid-term plan from IBP and Seasonal brand (CTC) guidance. Review  statistical forecast based on algorithm’s.

Pre-Seasonal Planning Preparation

• Review and consolidate RMA article forecast post ranging sign-off (Brand/Channel alignment) across articles, product families and channels.
• Review and consolidate  iMAP Merchandise Plans (DTC), Sales Orders (B2B) and additional Forecast as Orderbooks are built and plans are completed.
• Support CTC in understanding the development of their categories or any Product Family gaps once article forecasts are consolidated.

Seasonal Consolidation of Demand/In Season Maintenance of Demand

• Maintain Demand Plan on a rolling basis (monthly) and manage phasing of demand.
• Review monthly Buying Volumes and be accountable to ensure Purchase Requisitions (PRs) are correctly maintained to support Demand phasing and correctly converted into Purchase Orders (POs).
• Oversee Inventory simulation on a monthly basis to assist in decision support on buying and conversion discussions (Demand Review + S&OP).
• Participate in S&OE (sales and operations executive) sessions to align Demand to constrained Supply and ensure all channels are updated on operational execution (timing and volumes).
• Facilitate discussions on stock sharing with channels, should supply constraints be applied.
• Business Decision Support
• Creation of Reporting Suits to support Business
• Data Maintenance
• Contribute to Continuous Improvement of Operational Demand Planning Process

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Align with IDP team on monthly Drumbeat KPIs (RDP and IBP)
• Lead the monthly IBP drumbeat and monthly IBP submission accuracy in line with EM deadlines
• Manage RMA Range guidance to ensure shape and Gross Sales volumes are aligned with IBP Assumptions
• Category/Article Demand management
• Facilitate and steer S&OP sessions with SCM, Brand, Channels and Finance
• Accountable for demand signal to Product supply
• Consolidate and manage monthly Buying Volume Guidance
• Provide monthly Inventory Simulation data for IBP Process
• Participate in S&OE sessions with SCM, Channels and Finance
• Collaborate with EM DP team to ensure standardized approach is implemented across the region leading to improved planning accuracy.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• CTC Team (Brand) on Range guidance and RMA
• DTC Merchandising Teams, B2B Sales Teams
• Global/Local Supply Chain
• Emerging Markets Demand Planning
• Global Demand Planning

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to manage and influence multiple cross-functional stakeholders.
• Strong cross functional process knowledge or willingness to learn
• Pro-active, collaborative and positive attitude even in changing environments.
• Ability to think tactically but also focus on details.
• Used to multi-task, solve challenges independently and work against deadlines to deliver high-quality work on time in full.
• Proven methodological skills (e.g. data analysis, trend forecasting).
• Simplification and efficiency.
• Good attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Global mind-set and ability to work cross-culturally; experience within different countries and/or different cultures an advantage.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or related field required, higher degree preferred in management/accounting.
• 3 years of cross-functional experience in marketing operations, merchandising, sales/retail or finance.
• Excellent Project Management Skills.
• Excellent Presentation Skills.
• Fluent in English (writing and verbal).
• IT skills: Outlook and Word: Basic; Excel and PowerPoint: advanced
• MSTR/PowerBI/SAP knowledge preferable