Network Capacity Planner at Vector Logistics

Job Purpose

• Responsible for managing the network within the given parameters. Ensure we improve efficiencies between operations and supply chain planning teams. Prepare short term and long-term capacity and stock holding views. Maintain stock health. Identify bottle necks and draw up contingency plans to overcome these.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning:

• Plan, Control and Execute the forward plan (3-6 months, 2 years etc.) as defined by management.

Capacity Planning:

• Develop the Capacity overview for all SKU’s across the Vector network.
• Identify exceptions where stock holding exceeds warehouse capacity and provide contingency plan in order to still service our Customers.
• Develop alternate scenarios to address exceptions by closing the gap between supply, demand and capacity.
• Work closely with the warehousing and transport planning teams to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet the national demand requirements.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure uninterrupted supply during the year. 

Short Term Capacity Planning:

• Review demand (demand forecasts and actual orders) and stock cover (days) requirements as often as possible across all depots and stock holding positions.
• Ensure that we have sufficient capacity available to accept inbounds on a day-to-day basis.

Stock Management:

• Calculate the stock targets by SKU by obtaining and using the relevant information to input in the inventory optimization model. (e.g. forecast accuracy, factory reliability, production cycle times, order lead time, customer service levels).
• Propose stock level targets for agreement by the Outbound Supply Chain Planning management team (for both operational planning and budgeting processes) for both national and regional levels (for all stock holding points).
• Review stock targets on a periodic basis (usually quarterly).
• Make appropriate recommendation on stock where days cover either exceed maximum or are below minimum covers.
• Proactively drive the management of stock age, slow moving and obsolete stock across all stock holding points and make recommendations to clear stock.
• Compile the warehouse capacity plans.

Sales and Operations Planning:

• Develop the overall supply plan that will be used as input into the company-wide S&OP process.
• Identify gaps and opportunities and make appropriate recommendations to close these with the Supply Planning Manager.

Innovation / Discontinuation Coordination:

• Assist in the coordination for delivery of innovation into the supply chain.
• Work closely with the replenishment teams to ensure sufficient stock covers at the time of new innovation launches as well as assist in the bleed-out of stock.
• Report on a weekly basis on obsolete stock as well as plans to clear stock.
• Ensure stock of new items is received timeously for go-live.

Team Supervision:

• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and activities as completed by the Assistant Capacity Planner.
• Ensure continuation of work if the Assistant Capacity Planner is not available.
• Monitor Assistant Capacity Planner performance and provide feedback in this regard to the Supply Planning Manager.
• Performance reviews to be done as required.

Team Coordination:

• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and activities and demonstrate effective self-management in terms of planning, prioritising and self-development.
• Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of work are consistently and accurately maintained.
• Inform relevant parties in the event of tasks or deadlines not met, the potential risks thereof and provide appropriate resolution.

Key Relationships

Internal Relationships

• The role supports multiple internal stakeholders including S&OP, Commercial, Engineering, Finance, Customer Operations, and broader supply chain functions.

External Relationships

• Externally, the role interfaces with customers where capacity requests arise directly following engagement with the relevant project teams. 

Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job

Qualifications and Experience

• Must have Matric (Grade 12).
• A relevant bachelor’s Degree in supply chain management, Industrial Engineering, Logistics or Operations Management).
• 3 – 5 years’ experience within a supply chain environment.
• Must have had SAP exposure.