The Position This position has assigned a portfolio of countries belonging to Middle east – Africa (MEA) region and will coordinate, analyze and submit the monthly Demand Forecast for all products we supply to your portfolio. In total, the Demand Planning MEA team will be accountable for demand management of 19 countries. The specialist will report to the Demand Planning Manager META.
This function involves cross-functional collaboration, and it is expected to lead the forecast discussions for your countries and support Commercial business unit to reach our commercial targets.
The specialist will work together with various departments like Demand Fulfillment, local Commercial teams, Customer Service, and Finance, some of them are spread across the region. The team is a mixture of very diverse talent and levels, making the working environment a perfect place for new ideas and cross-functional collaboration.
Responsibilities
- Own and improve forecast accuracy of your region consistently, and share the best practices with your team colleagues to improve the accuracy of whole region
- Act as key contact for Commercial and/or customers at regional and/or market level
- Prepare and lead monthly Market Demand Review meetings (pre S&OP) to update in-market and to-market forecast.
- Prepare and lead monthly S&OP meeting, preparing meeting minutes and ensuring actions and follow-ups are made accordingly
- Support the monthly Integrated Business Planning process (IBP) to achieve a 36-month consensus plan in the market, working in coordination with Commercial and Finance teams
- Collect and analyze business intelligence from market stakeholders in the 36 months’ timeframe
- Identify gaps between financial plans and demand plans and act accordingly
- Ensure integrity of metrics to drive value to customer
- Collaborate with Business Managers and Customer Service to reduce discards
- Manage and proactively resolve escalated supply issues via effective coordination and communication in close cooperation with the relevant teams such as supply planning, transportation, factories, local commercial teams and customers.
- Drive the dialogue each month with local Commercial, Finance, Regulatory Affairs, Demand Fulfillment and Supply Planners to meet service level objectives with optimum inventory policy
- Support the demand aspect for product launches, new product introduction / deletion governance
- Streamline and standardize processes of the demand planning team
- Be the backup of other demand planners when needed, including the manager of the team
Required Education, Experience And Skills
- Bachelor – preferably Supply Chain Management or related discipline. Master of Science or MBA is a plus
- APICS CPIM or CSCP and / or Six Sigma certification is an advantage
- Minimum 2 solid years of demand planning expertise is a must, preferably in pharmaceutical environment
- Solid stakeholder management experience; proven ability to build, develop and maintain productive relationships with different stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills
- Highly organized profile with customer focus, proactive and problem-solving mindset
- Fluent in English (both written and verbal) and strong presentation skills with ability to effectively speak with senior management. Must speak Arabic.
- Microsoft Office expertise (advanced Excel skills is a must)
- Planning ERP systems awareness (SAP S/4HANA experience preferred)
- Be able to cope with high-pressure environment and able to sustain it
- Team player that is also capable of working independently
- Flexibility and ability to work in a rapidly changing environment
- There is no relocation for this role.
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