Demand Forecasting & Planning Manager

Alshaya

Kuwait

Ref: GP435-5239

Job description / Role

Employment: Full Time

Demand Forecasting & Planning Manager - Starbucks - Kuwait

The job holder will be responsible for demand forecasting and planning activities associated with stores and products for entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The job holder will require leadership skills, forecast modelling and analytical skills, and possess sound communication skills.

Functional responsibilities

- Develop demand forecast , incorporating current and accurate market information that allows the company to correctly predict customer demand and provide the overall business and its supply chain with the appropriate information to plan how to meet that customer demand
- Develop demand forecasts (operational and strategic forecasts) at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons using deepest level of granular data (e.g., SKU, product, store type, store operating hours, store location, channel etc.)
- Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, leverage internal and external data sets (including but not limited to seasonality, and variability), preparing various statistical models to come up with forecast
- Leverage the demand forecast to come up with demand plan for fulfilment centers (FC) across MENA. The demand plan will be used by supply & replenishment team for translating into optimal orders and replenishing FCs regularly
- Monitor, and report essential changes to forecasts and so demand plan, business strategies, and budgets, support company management with risk assessment and activities to help mitigate the risk and propose and implement solutions that accurately improve demand forecasts

Process and system responsibilities

- Develop foundational processes, either directly or collaboratively with other supply chain sub-functional leads, ranging, but not limited to, from data collection, data cleansing, data structuring, and products lifecycle
- Carrying of business process development and support implementation of demand forecasting and planning software and maintaining the same, while developing and sharpening quick tools to develop demand
- Evaluate and monitor forecast accuracy, at different levels (e.g. stores or FC etc), periodically to identify problematic areas and take corrective actions to maintain accuracy at target levels. Responsible to deliver forecasts accuracy targets that drives appropriate inventory levels across supply chain
- Closely coordinate and communicate operations' action plans with supply & replenishment planning and constantly engage with various internal and external stakeholders ensuring alignment in lead times, inventory days, write-off plans and inventory aging.
- Regular reporting to Senior and Executive management of the demand forecast, demand plan and KPIs (e.g. forecast error, trends, bias etc.) and collaborating with supply & replenishment teams to help achieve business KPI's.

Cross-functional responsibilities:

- Utilize a collaborative and consensus approach by working with operations, marketing & category, finance, logistics and various supply chain sub-functions to obtain current and accurate information for demand forecasts and demand plan and reconcile variances and refine the forecast model
- Manage monthly demand review process with key stakeholders for all markets ensuring business insights and sales plan are captured and translated into the demand forecast and demand plan
- Continuously focusses to improve the overall business planning and S&OP processes and develops actionable plans to improve its maturity across all aspects (capability, process improvements and automation). Support Annual Business Planning/monthly forecasting process by driving volume and value forecasting

Partners responsibilities:

- Responsible to lead the demand forecasting and planning team. Leads, motivates, train and support the team in taking extra mile and collaborate with other teams
- Provide leadership and engage and develop team members in a high-performance environment

Requirements

- 5+ years of experience in food & beverage or similar industries
- 5+ years of experience in demand forecasting & demand planning,
- 3+ years of people management experience in high communication environment
- Should have experience with drawing, getting approvals, business case development and supply chain assessment will be advantageous
- In-depth understanding of forecasting models (e.g., data analysis, trend forecasting), and demonstrated advanced methodological skills, data analysis or logic Skills
- Commercial and business acumen knowledge to challenge and drive consensus across cross-functional, clearly communicating across many levels of the organization

About the Company

As a leading international franchise operator, with nearly 90 of the world’s most recognised brands in its portfolio, Alshaya Group brings great shopping, dining, leisure and hospitality experiences to millions of customers across the Middle East & North Africa, Russia, Turkey, Europe and beyond.

Alshaya Group is a dynamic multinational business and family owned enterprise with a consistent record of growth and innovation. For 35 years, Alshaya has been a pioneering force in brand franchising, using its exceptional knowledge and experience to expand at pace.

Our portfolio of well-loved international brands includes Starbucks, H&M, Mothercare, Debenhams, American Eagle Outfitters, P.F. Chang’s, The Cheesecake Factory, The Body Shop, M.A.C, Victoria’s Secret, Boots, Pottery Barn, KidZania and, coming soon, Hampton by Hilton.

From one retail franchise store opened in Kuwait in 1983, Alshaya Group has consistently grown and diversified and today offers customers an unparalleled choice of brands across multiple sectors; Fashion & Footwear, Health & Beauty, Food, Optics, Pharmacy, Home Furnishings, Leisure & Entertainment, and Hotels. A diverse, skilled team of 53,000 people from 120 nationalities support more than 4,000 stores, cafes, restaurants and leisure destinations, a growing online business and a commitment to delivering great customer experiences.

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