Join the Center of Excellence (CoE) one year into its full operation, marking an exciting start. Be an integral part of a diverse team of 40 members, representing 15 nationalities, at the heart of the digital planning transformation within the company, handling responsibilities that include forecasting, process excellence, data analytics, and data quality.
The Demand Planning Manager is part of the CoE Leadership Team and is a key driver of the European demand planning agenda.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the forecasting analyst team for Europe.
- Create and maintain a statistically driven forecast for the full portfolio over the entire horizon.
- Drive the way of working: understand the S&OP and S&OE planning processes and the needs of various stakeholders, balance different countries' needs while driving standardization.
- Use digital storytelling to bring data to life, and foster data-driven value-added discussions in each country.
- Collect relevant assumptions systematically both within and outside the system.
- Enhance the data model by defining, collecting, and cleaning relevant data references.
- Fine-tune (or rebuild) the forecasting models by selecting the best-fitting model per product and manually adjusting the forecast as needed.
- Communicate and explain the statistical forecast to the markets/planning team in a non-technical manner.
- Listen to market feedback, evaluate statistical findings and improvements, provide business insights, and communicate clearly with stakeholders.
- Adapt leadership and stakeholder management styles as the planning approach evolves over time.
- Create feedback mechanisms from the markets to drive process and statistical improvements.
- Co-create and support the long-term planning vision and agenda that enables the human-centric, digital planning transformation.
Qualifications:
Education and Professional:
- Degree in computer science, data science, machine learning, mathematics, statistics, or a related natural science or technical degree. A Master's or advanced degree (sciences or business) is preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or statistical modeling in an Food/Chemical/FMCG company.
- 2-3 years of experience in a leadership or team leader role.
Knowledge / Experience:
- Experience with statistical forecasting tools such as R, Python, or SAS.
- Experience with demand sensing and machine learning algorithms.
- Experience with ERP and Advanced Planning Systems.
- Understanding of demand drivers, building blocks, outliers, and demand shaping characteristics within CPG (preferable but not essential).
- Understanding of Lean / Six Sigma.
- Ability to present complex analysis in understandable forms to business stakeholders.
- Experience with digital transformations in companies.
- Attention to detail and a passion for data accuracy.
- Ability to listen to others and integrate their ideas.
