Role Summary
This role leads the end-to-end business planning process for a designated brand and its sales channels, covering both demand and supply planning. The manager supports functional planners through the full Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle—Demand Consensus, Supply Review, and Executive Review. The position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams to drive operational efficiency, optimize inventory, and support the achievement of financial goals.
Key Responsibilities
1. Demand Planning Management (35%)
Oversee the demand planning process across pre-season, in-season, and post-season phases, aligned with global planning timelines.
Guide planners in working with Sales, Channel, and Merchandising teams to build seasonal demand forecasts and monthly pacing aligned with financial targets.
Ensure accurate demand inputs in planning systems and maintain key parameters.
Own wholesale forecasts and support direct-to-consumer (DTC) forecasting, with a long-term goal of integrating OMNI channel forecasting.
Monitor forecast accuracy, identify key product launches and demand shifts, and ensure alignment across finance, sales, and operations plans.
2. Supply Planning and Inventory Management (30%)
Define and implement inventory strategies, including safety stock levels and buy plan execution.
Align with commercial leadership on inventory targets and ensure proper execution of product launches and phase-outs.
Conduct regular S&OP and S&OE meetings to address low-forecast items, factory delays, and supply constraints.
Maintain optimal inventory levels, track open-to-buy budgets, and manage end-of-life inventory and liquidation strategies.
3. Planning Process and System Improvement (15%)
Lead local planning system enhancements, including implementation and optimization of advanced planning tools.
Drive the adoption of the 5-step S&OP process to improve cross-functional alignment and inventory efficiency.
Support global and regional initiatives such as standardizing inventory reporting and improving order management systems.
4. Integrated Planning Advocacy (10%)
Represent demand and supply planning in executive-level S&OP reviews.
Facilitate cross-functional alignment and action planning to meet financial and inventory turnover goals.
Act as the local liaison for global and regional planning teams, providing updates on demand trends, supply priorities, and critical business needs.
5. Team Leadership and Development (10%)
Lead and develop a team of demand and supply planners, ensuring readiness for process and system changes.
Provide coaching and training aligned with global planning standards.
Foster a strong team culture and contribute to building a positive and high-performing work environment.
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred.
Experience:
10+ years of experience in demand planning, with at least 5 years in that function.
Additional experience in sales planning, supply planning (minimum 2 years), inventory management, or project management is preferred.
Background in footwear, apparel, or FMCG industries is advantageous.
Proven ability to work in complex global organizations and manage competing priorities.
Comfortable working across diverse cultures and adaptable to different work styles.
Skills and Competencies
Fluent in both English and the local language (written and spoken)
Strong analytical, communication, people management, and influencing skills
Project management experience is highly desirable
Results-driven, adaptable, and resilient, with a proactive mindset and a holistic view of end-to-end processes
Able to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments
Knowledge of supply chain operations, including production and logistics, is beneficial
Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with Power BI and MS Access is a plus
Experience with planning tools such as o9, other demand planning systems, BI tools, GT Nexus, and Oracle EBS is advantageous