Supply Chain Optimisation Lead (Port Elizabeth) at Aspen Pharma Group

Overview:

• The Supply Chain Optimization Lead plays a pivotal role in driving strategic supply chain decisions through in-depth data analysis and actionable insights.
• This position requires a seasoned professional with extensive experience in supply chain management, demand management, demand analytics, forecasting, and process optimization, particularly within the pharmaceutical industry.
• The role leads efforts to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall performance, ensuring the company remains competitive in a dynamic market environment while delivering ultimate customer service.

Requirements
Responsibilities:

Data Analysis and Interpretation 

• Analyze complex supply chain data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement
• Develop and implement advanced analytics models to forecast demand and optimize supply chain operations

Demand Management and Analytics

• Lead demand planning processes to accurately forecast product demand based on historical data, market trends, and sales insights
• Utilize demand analytics to identify factors affecting demand variability and propose strategies to address them

Forecasting

• Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts to ensure alignment between supply and customer demand
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to integrate business intelligence and market data into demand forecasts

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Create processes and methods to automate information gathering across the value chain
• Maintain and track accurate data to support supply chain decision-making
• Review, streamline, and automate all internal and external supply chain reports
• Constantly review supply chain data and ensure necessary inputs are fed into the planning and production cycle
• Develop and maintain detailed process maps of key value chain processes to assist with optimization and simulation 

Future-Proof our Business

• Develop frameworks to identify the value of implementing advanced tools and technologies within the Aspen value chain (IoT, BigData, Blockchain, Machine Learning AI)
• Support the creation of LP/MIP capability within Aspen and create the framework/tools for data engineering, digital twin, optimisation, and simulation

Optimised Customer Care

• Ensure that supply chain strategies and operations are aligned with the goal of delivering ultimate customer service
• Proactively address any supply chain disruptions to minimize impact on customer satisfaction and product availability 

Reporting and Dashboards

• Create and maintain comprehensive reports and dashboards to provide real-time visibility into supply chain and demand performance metrics
• Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership and cross-functional teams

Process Optimisation 

• Identify inefficiencies in supply chain and demand management processes and recommend solutions to enhance productivity and reduce costs
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline operations and improve service levels

Strategic Planning 

• Provide data-driven insights to inform strategic supply chain and demand management decisions and long-term planning
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to align supply chain and demand strategies with overall business objectives

Collaboration

• Work closely with procurement, logistics, demand planning, and IT departments to ensure data accuracy and alignment

Technology and Tools

• Leverage advanced analytics tools and technologies to enhance supply chain visibility and decision-making capabilities
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously improve the supply chain analytics functions

Performance Monitoring and Risk Management 

• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure supply chain and demand management operations align with business goals
• Identify potential risks in the supply chain and develop strategies to mitigate them

Requirements:

Formal qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply chain management, Business Analytics, Operations Research, or a related field. Post graduate degree in above fields of study advantageous

Certifications/registrations

• Data science certifications and APICS certification preferred

Overall experience

• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in supply chain, with a strong focus on demand analytics, forecasting, data analytics, and process optimization, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry

Specific experience, knowledge and registrations

• Proven track record of leading supply chain and demand management improvement initiatives and driving tangible results

Work-specific skills & exposure

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and deliver results on time

Skills and attributes

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to present complex data in a clear and concise manner to stakeholders at all levels
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross functional teams
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret complex data sets and translate them into actionable insights
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think strategically and innovatively

Knowledge

• Proficiency in data analysis tools and software such as SQL, Python, R, and advanced Excel.
• Experience with demand planning and supply chain management software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDA) and business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)