Specialist: Product and Demand Planning at Motus Aftermarket Parts

Position Overview    
COMMUNICATION

• Communicate orally and in writing with Branches, Co-Workers, Suppliers and the Divisional Companies.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams, present findings, and influence decision making.
• Ability to convey complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner to both technical and non-technical audiences.

GENERAL

• Work within established processes defined by management.
• The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent and is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks and skills required to perform this job. The incumbent may be required to perform additional tasks and duties outside of this description, if so required.

EVALUATION:

• Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Company policy on evaluation of personnel.
• Specific Role Responsibilities    

Demand Forecasting:

• Utilize statistical methods, forecasting models, and business intelligence tools to predict future demand for products.

Data Analysis:

• Analyse historical sales data, market trends, and other relevant factors to identify patterns and trends that influence demand.

Collaboration:

• Work closely with sales, marketing, and operations teams to gather input, validate forecasts, and incorporate business insights into demand plans.

Forecast Accuracy Monitoring:

• Monitor and evaluate forecast accuracy against actual sales data, adjusting forecasts as needed to minimize errors and optimize inventory levels.

Inventory Optimization:

• Collaborate with inventory management teams to ensure optimal inventory levels, balancing cost considerations with service level requirements.

New Product Introductions:

• Support the demand planning process for new product launches, including forecasting initial demand and monitoring performance post-launch.

Promotions and Events:

• Incorporate promotions, marketing campaigns, and seasonal events into demand forecasts, anticipating their impact on demand patterns.

Demand Planning Tool Management:

• Utilize demand planning software and tools to facilitate forecasting, scenario analysis, and reporting.

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve demand planning processes, tools, and methodologies to enhance forecast accuracy and efficiency.

Communication:

• Communicate demand plans, forecasts, and insights to cross-functional teams to support decision-making and planning.

Qualifications and Experience    

• Grade 12/Matric.
• Bachelor’s degree/ Diploma in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field or studying towards.
• Proficiency in demand planning and forecasting techniques, such as time series analysis, regression analysis, and causal forecasting.
• Experience with demand planning software and data analysis tools (Excel, SQL, Statistical Software Packages).

Skills and Personal Attributes    

• Honesty and Integrity.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• High level of attention to detail to ensure accuracy and precision in demand forecasts and analysis.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret data, identify trends, and develop accurate demand forecasts.
• Ability to understand and analyse complex data sets and derive actionable insights.
• Ability to create and maintain reports to track trends and KPI’s (availability, ROI, inventory levels, etc.).
• Possess the ability to work productively without supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Computer literacy, proficiency in MS Office – advanced skills in Excel including PivotTables, VLOOKUP, and data analysis tools.
• Previous experience in demand planning, forecasting, or related roles within supply chain management.
• Familiarity with sales and operations (S&OP) processes and methodologies.
• Experience in industries with seasonal demand patterns or volatile market conditions advantageous.