Demand Planner

Roles and responsibilities

Job Responsibility

• Develop and maintain demand forecasts based on sales trends, historical data, and other relevant factors.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and production teams to understand market demand and upcoming promotions or initiatives.
• Monitor inventory levels and adjust forecasts as needed to optimize inventory turnover and minimize excess stock.
• Work closely with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of materials and products to meet demand.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and implement solutions to enhance demand planning processes.
• Generate reports and analysis on key performance indicators related to demand planning and inventory management.
  

Candidate Requirements

• UAE/MOFA attested Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or a related field.
• Proven experience as a Demand Planner in a construction company or related industry.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and trends effectively.
• Proficiency in demand planning software and advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work across different teams.
• Attention to detail and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Certification in supply chain management or forecasting is a plus.
  

Skills

Skills:

• Strong analytical and forecasting skills
• Knowledge of demand planning software and tools
• Understanding of construction industry dynamics and market trends
• Ability to collaborate with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting
• Adaptability and flexibility to changing priorities and requirements

Desired candidate profile

1. Forecasting and Analytical Skills

• Demand Forecasting: Ability to create accurate demand forecasts based on historical sales data, market trends, and seasonality. Using statistical methods and tools like ARIMA, exponential smoothing, and regression analysis.
• Data Analysis: Strong skills in analyzing large datasets, identifying patterns, and making data-driven decisions. Proficiency in tools like Excel, R, or Python for statistical analysis and modeling.
• Trend Analysis: Identifying trends in consumer behavior, sales data, and external factors (e.g., economic shifts, competitor activity, and promotions) that could influence demand.

2. Supply Chain and Inventory Management

• Inventory Optimization: Ensuring that inventory levels are balanced to meet demand without overstocking or understocking. Understanding concepts such as Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), Safety Stock, and Replenishment Planning.
• Lead Time Management: Working closely with suppliers and manufacturers to understand and manage lead times for orders to ensure on-time delivery while minimizing costs.
• Stock Control: Knowledge of inventory control systems and practices, such as Just-in-Time (JIT), First-In, First-Out (FIFO), or Last-In, First-Out (LIFO).

3. Collaboration and Communication

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with other departments, such as sales, marketing, finance, and supply chain teams, to gather insights and align strategies.
• Vendor and Supplier Relationships: Building strong relationships with suppliers to ensure timely deliveries and coordinate demand with supply.
• Stakeholder Communication: Presenting demand forecasts, inventory levels, and any changes to key stakeholders, including management, sales teams, and logistics teams.

4. Problem-Solving and Adaptability

• Scenario Planning: Ability to evaluate different scenarios and their impact on demand (e.g., market disruptions, new product launches, promotions).
• Crisis Management: Quickly responding to unexpected changes in demand, such as supply chain disruptions, sudden market shifts, or seasonal changes.
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly reviewing and improving forecasting processes and methodologies to increase accuracy and reduce forecast error.

5. Technology and Software Proficiency

• ERP Systems: Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software like SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics for managing supply chain and inventory data.
• Demand Planning Software: Familiarity with specialized demand planning and forecasting tools like Infor Demand Management, Kinaxis RapidResponse, Oracle Demantra, and Forecast Pro.
• Advanced Excel: Expertise in using Excel for complex data analysis, building models, and creating dashboards for reporting purposes.
• Business Intelligence Tools: Proficiency with BI tools like Power BI, Tableau, or Qlik for generating insights and visualizing demand data.