Demand Planner
Olayan Kimberly Clark
Total years of experience :16 years, 7 Months
Develop demand forecasts (operational forecasts) at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons as part of a demand planning function.
Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results.
Coordinate cross-functional activities to reconcile and refine the forecast model to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions.
Interact with sales, marketing, and F&A to understand demand forecast drivers.
Utilize a collaborative and consensus approach by working with Sales, Marketing and F&A to obtain and ensure that current and accurate information is used for demand forecasts.
Provide input to Supply Planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs.
Closely coordinate and communicate customer action plans with supply planning
Principal Accountability:
Create statistical forecasts: - Gather, analyze and validate data - Summarize/aggregate statistical forecasts.
Review sales plans, Latest Estimates and demand drivers: - Present, and assess feedback on the various forecasts from sales, and finance - Recommend adjustments for operational forecasts - Review promotional plans with sales
Achieve agreed operational demand forecasts by facilitating a collaborative planning process with sales, marketing and finance personnel: - Prepare relevant material to facilitate research and discussion.
Provide input to volume planning ( Latest Estimates / annual process) - Facilitate and manage demand planning meetings - Achieve consensus with the business side and the demand chain
Prepare and maintain relevant reports pertaining to demand planning process
Closely monitor the freight rates for the orders dispatched from NDC and create monthly analysis on Freight cost per case.
Verifying Hauler Invoices, Create Shipment Cost Documents for additional charges, (waiting, labor, customs etc.) for any orders / shipments applicable.
Review the transporter invoices for all the Hauliers for the freight rates mentioned and amend the system (SAP) for any variances.
Generate monthly KPI’s for monthly operational costs, transportation cost analysis, and equipment maintenance costs.
Evaluate the transport KPI’s and coordinate with the hauliers for high level of service with optimized rates. Conduct transport evaluation on a monthly basis.
Review transportation contracts / rates and recommends the needful suggestions / clause to be included.
Generate Cost Transformation ideas to reduce and optimise the transportation costs across all Distribution Centers in GCC.
Track transporter payments on fortnightly basis for a timely payment and follow up with RTC Team / Local Finance Team on any payment delays.
Conduct weekly reviews of the transporter performance and implement corrective measures to improve the service levels
Review the cost effectiveness of dedicated trucks and reporting to Distribution supervisor on monthly basis.
Co-ordination with POD team to Ensure the on time submission of PODs by 3PL haulers
Freight Rate updating in SAP on required time (updated rates providing by purchase Team)
In additional to the above, support Warehouse Team on stock management level.
Coordinate with the Customer Service Team to get the dispatch notification for the daily orders before the cut off time
Analyse the dispatch notification and liase with Transport Planner for physical dispatch, based on the required delivery dates and delivery lead times.
Trouble shoots all the delivery issues by effective communication with Transport Planner, Customer Service Team and Sales Team
Prepare IBI documents based on the stock transfer notification from the Planning Team. Liase with the Transport Planner for Pick/Pack and loading the trailers.
Prepare return tickets for all the delivery returns on a daily basis, and duly communicate with all the regional Customer Service Team. Control and ensure that return invoice is generated in the system for all the Return Tickets generated on a weekly basis.
Update the system with all the inbound IBI transactions from Dammam plant before 9 am on a daily basis.
Highlight any stock discrepancies between physical and system to prepare the required adjustment documents and take the needful approvals from the Warehouse Supervisor.
Coordinate with Logistic Coordinator and Customer Service Team to get the dispatch notification for the daily orders.
Receive the loading slip (Picking Ticket) from Logistic Coordinator and schedule the deliveries based on required delivery dates and CS team’s instruction.
Take the delivery booking from Key Account Customers, and coordinate with the transporters to schedule the vehicles accordingly.
Analyse all the orders, and optimize the trailer loadability factor and the transportation cost benefits by combining two to three orders for various zones.
Prepare daily scheduling of the delivery routing and send the trailer forecasts to all the transporters
Close coordination with the Dispatching Supervisors for the daily loading schedules.
Ensure the Transporter Manifest is provided by all the drivers before loading the container / trailers. Ensure all Documents are attached with OKA Invc (PO, CHEP Docket if required) and get the proper signatures from the drivers
Update the transport evaluation file on a daily basis and generate monthly transporter evaluation KPI’s
Manage customer priorities and requests in a cost efficient manner to satisfy both external and internal customer requirements..
Contact prospective customers through exhibitions and fairs.
Sales calls on schools, early childhood centers
Conduct targeted mail outs, attendance at relevant tradeshows, and seminars etc
Assist customers in making the right choice
Conducting surveys at different occasion to know the trends in the market which was very helpful in taking future decision for the senior management.
Managing the day to day activities happening at the outlet.
Checking the stock and had a key role in arranging the merchandise at the outlet.
Managing of accounts and billing process at the counter and back office.
Was a key player in Customer Relationship Management.
Submitting reports to the Cluster Manager of the outlet about the business status at the end of the day.
