Demand & Supply Planner | Retail | ACE Hardware

Job Requisition ID: 170514 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A”rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview of the role

Manages, balances and analyses all demand and supply in the supply chain, using advanced analytical, statistical, and optimization techniques. Develop, communicate, and execute end-to-end product demand and supply plans across all channels of distribution in the GCC Region for a current or future product line in collaboration with Commercial, Marketing, Finance and Store Operations. Responsible for measuring, optimizing and continuously improving forecast accuracy, planning inventory flows and phasing, inventory levels, minimizing errors, driving continuous improvement through processes, analysis, etc. Implement and use the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process to harmonize and drive global improvement with common targets to ACE and Homeworks

What you will do

• Forecast demand, inventory, and multi-channel sell through. Generate weekly, monthly and yearly supply plans that meet ACE & Homework’s financial objectives. Evaluate risks. Plan and implement contingency plans to mitigate
• Create baseline forecasts, maintaining data and forecast integrity in the forecasting tool(s) as well as other related platforms; communicate forecast to internal customers
• Conduct monthly forecast maintenance & address demand-related issues in a timely and effective manner.
• Use latest AI (Artificial Intelligence) / ML (Machine learning) techniques for forecasting & demand planning
• Plan & monitor replenishment across the Distribution Centre network, stores & online by maintaining the accuracy replenishment parameter
• The position is responsible for Maintaining capacity plans to ensure the efficient delivery of inventory, service and cost objectives, in collaboration with Logistics (warehousing) and Store Operations.
• Correcting replenishment parameters, lead times are regularly conform to business levels
• Lead Supply planning process and analyse trends impacting the product launches, promotions, customer behaviour, and commercial decisions).
• Defining forecast & replenishment process for New product introduction with buyers & range planning team to avoid over-buy/under-buy and stock out situation in stores
• Provides supply planning expertise to the commercialization of new products or resolution of key inventory shortage issues
• Build Power Users in business across Supply Planning leading practices in the initial set-up & continuous improvement of inventory, replenishment, and capacity planning policies, parameters, and configuration settings to optimize JDA plan outputs and process performance
• Defining forecast & replenishment process for New product introduction with buyers & range planning team to avoid over-buy/under-buy and stock out situation in stores
• Implement and conduct monthly S&OP cycles by respective department, enabling necessary measurement, performance assessment, corrective actions and full visibility
  Schedule the necessary meetings with stakeholders on a monthly / regular basis
• Monitoring monthly ageing stock level and building liquidating strategy with Buying team through inter-territory/store transfer, clearance & promotions.
• Assist in developing annual budgets and cost-effectiveness initiatives.
• Maintain training materials and organize trainings to team members.
• Follow and enforce company rules and regulations

Required skills to be successful

•    Advance system proficiency, SAP & JDA experience is additional advantage
•    Proven analytical skills.
•    Experience with planning software/tools and merchandise management systems is preferred
•    Ability to work & influence in a matrix environment with multiple business functions
•    Strong team player and ability to work with the cross functional partners and senior management on all aspects of the busines

What equips you for the role

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree required minimum with 3+ years of Planning experience. Master’s degree desired.

Minimum Experience and Knowledge:  
•    Knowledge of  Demand & Supply planning processes, general knowledge of Supply Chain
•    Prior experience in product planning, production control, inventory management, or production/manufacturing operations is a plus. Project management desired.
•    Experience with using ERP systems (preferably SAP) and advanced Panning tools with statistical modeling 

We’re here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.