Demand Planner

Job description / Role

We are Chalhoub Group, a leading family business in the world of beauty, fashion and gifts. We have blended our Middle East expertise and intimate knowledge of luxury to offer service excellence to all our partners and a unique experience to all our customers for over 60 years

As we continue to grow, it's our vision to become a hybrid retailer, bringing luxury experiences to the fingertips of customers everywhere.

Our passionate teams drive our vision forward, without them, we couldn't create luxury experiences for our customers. Through opportunities, development and support, we empower each and every employee to achieve their career goals - and beyond. It's an exciting journey we're on, and one you could be part of

The Demand Planner will be welcomed among the Regional Supply Chain team for Parfums Christian Dior Orient (PCDO). PCDO manages an area of 36 countries in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and India, with subsidiaries and agents' structures, as well as 7 brands: Parfums Christian Dior, Make Up for Ever, Givenchy, Kenzo, Loewe, Acqua Di Parma and Benefit Cosmetics.

Your core mission is to consolidate and arbitrate the regional forecasts, propose demand actions to achieve business goals being the integration point with marketing, sales, finance and the supply chain teams based in Dubai. To succeed in this role, you should be professional, highly-analytical, and possess excellent communication skills. The successful candidate should also have an in-depth knowledge of advanced mathematical and forecasting policies.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Planning Manager, the Demand Planner is the interface between the Brand (Marketing, Sales, Controlling, E-commerce) and Logistic teams based in Dubai and the Supply Planning team located in France.

The main responsibilities will be the following

Demand Planning

Forecasts initialization

- Ensure data cleansing of historic sell out and sell in data
- Set appropriate parameters
- Update customer and product scope in relation with master data
- Run the forecast process: gather, analyze and validate data

Forecasts analysis and adjustment

- Challenge the forecast with the sales budget
- Analyze and improve the forecast considering Marketing, Commercial inputs
- Control and adjust introduction strategy and cannibalization
- Control and adjust products trends, end of life products, special events
- Manage seasonality and campaigns roll-out to finalize the Forecast OutputC/ Market B C/ Market demand:
- Compile the forecast from all channels / regions
- Validation of some agents orders for the Customer Service
- Operation follow-up:
- Anticipate and assess the impacts of unexpected events on the planning horizon
- Compare sales to the forecast monthly and propose corrective actions

Sales trend awareness

- Be up-to-date on the sales, distribution channel strategy
- Interact with commercial, marketing, and finance
- Develop positive relationships with other departments to guarantee efficiency
- Provide input to the Supply Planning organization in developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs
- Understand sales mechanisms related to external events

Purchase Coordination

The mission is to lead all activities enabling accurate supply plans, matching clients demand needs and expectations with availability, cost and cash efficiency.

- Maxime the presence rate at counters and guarantee the best fulfillment service level for all retailers and agents of the region
- Validation of replenishment through the DRP process to ensure the availability of the products on time on market
- Define and communicate the target stock level for the regional hub according to life cycle (new products, basic items, phasing out¦), distribution channels and expected service level
- Control the stock level and quality - optimize the inventory depletion (sales, staff sales, returns & disposal)
- Monitor the total transport costs for inbound/outbound (Air ratio)

Performance Analysis And Management

- Analyze and provide visibility on the supply chain performance and risks for service/stock/P&L impact to Brand and Shared Service Center
- Make recommendations and lead corrective and preventive action plans to drive business metrics with key internal functional areas and key clients.
- Animate S&OP reviews with Brand and top management
- Lead ambitious supply chain project to support business growth
- Support the development of the logistics department at the agents and the retailers, by initiating and supporting improvement projects in terms of service level, stock and forecast management.

In this position, all initiatives taken to propose and conduct any continuous improvement actions/ projects (optimized tool, simplified processes, reduction of administrative workload...) will be welcome and encouraged.

Requirements

Profile

Professional experience

- 2-5 years' experience in Supply Chain

Education

- University Degree / Master
- Concentrations on Supply Chain or Logistics
- APICS certification is a plus

Languages

- Fluent English
- French and/or Arabic can be an advantage but is not compulsory

Competencies

- Knowledge and understanding of Distribution / Supply Chain concepts and application
- Proficient user of the Office 365 / Business Intelligence Software
- Strong analytical, planning and organizational skills
- Strong interpersonal and communications skills (oral & written)
- A dynamic and proactive personality
- Ability to animate reviews with top management
- Self-starter with ability to work independently under pressure and react quickly to changing priorities

Work Relations

- Internal work relations: Brand (General Management; Marketing, Sales, Controlling, E-commerce); other SSC Teams (Logistics, Controlling, Regulatory affairs; Traffics) ; and HQ (Supply, Forecast, Customer Service)
- External work relations: Distributors & Agents; Boutiques Managers.

What we can offer you

We will help shape your journey with us through enriching experiences, learning and development opportunities and exposure to different assignments within your role or through internal mobility.

Our Group offers the opportunity to support careers that may span different teams, different job roles, different categories and even different countries. We offer diverse career paths for those who show drive and passion as well as the desire to learn and grow.

Amazing benefits

We recognise the value that you bring, and we strive to provide a competitive benefits package which includes health care, life insurance, child education contribution & exclusive employee discounts.

About the Company

The Chalhoub Group is the leading partner for luxury across the Middle East since 1955. As an expert in retail, distribution and marketing services based in Dubai, the group has become a major player in the fashion, beauty and gift sectors regionally.

By blending its Middle East expertise and intimate knowledge of luxury, Chalhoub Group is building brands in the region, by offering service excellence to all its partners and a unique experience to its customers through its passionate teams.

With a growing workforce of more than 9,000 people, implemented in 14 countries, as well as the operating of over 470 retail outlets, the group's success is attributed to its most valued asset of highly skilled and dedicated teams. Professionalism and passion are what fuel the Chalhoub Group's competitive edge in today's market.

By being committed to implementing sustainable practices into their business, the Chalhoub Group has been awarded in 2013 the CSR Label from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.