Operations and Planning Manager

Job description / Role

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 Arab 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 organization 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:
- The purpose of the role is to manage the planning of Passenger Vehicle supply and demand of Honda in the UAE and International Markets. The Operations and Planning Manager is accountable for Demand Management, Sales Planning, Sales Operations whether to Retail, Corporate or Fleet customers. Responsible for the key functions of annual sales plan and demand order plan. Develop demand and sales forecasts at multiple levels across distribution channels. Improve the stock turnover by reducing the risk of excess and Obsolete stock. OEM and internal liaison, reporting and forecasting. Campaign management and vehicle life cycle support.

What you will do:
- Sales Planning strategy that delivers brand market share and profitability targets.
- Using best available data to forecast market and segment model mix volume and using the information to establish appropriate budget/forecast assumptions for sales and stock planning.
- Carflow management to ensure healthy balance sheet position and cash mgt. with efficient stock, from Factory order to final Customer Delivery, by influencing OEM, Suppliers, Group Value Chain teams (such as PDI, F&I) for UAE and International Markets.
- The development of the annual and quarterly sales and demand plan with the detail by models and channels.
- Prepare forecast data and evaluate forecast results.
- Review sales and demand plan monthly with each distribution channels. Review and assess risk to supply and demand variability and identify opportunities to manage and mitigate risk.
- Lead continuous improvement of forecast accuracy and bias by implementing best practice.
- Develop and measure key performance indicators to track and evaluate forecast made, to assist in assessing the effectiveness of the demand planning and forecasting function.
- Interact with sales and marketing to understand forecast demand drivers.
- Regularly review stock levels and procedures to determine the appropriate level of stock required with considering future campaign activity and to place orders.
- Identify overstock and slow-moving vehicles and liaise with product manager and sales support manager to resolve issues.
- All ad hoc reporting, analysis, and presentation.
- Work closely with Product, Pricing, Sales Distribution channels to review sales, demand planning and performance, (with Brands, Principals, and relevant Center of Excellence).
- Report sales performance.
- Early identification of sales and demand issues and deviation of actuals from plan.
- Recommend sales and demand plan by month by model and by variant.
- Provide support and advice on sales strategy.
- Stock optimization.
- Review inventory policy and target service levels.
- Continuous monitoring of aged stock.
- Lifecycle management support.
- To provide data support with logistics to control the inbounds and clearing documents on time (and related requirements).
- Creating dashboards for monitoring of progress and process adherence.
- Perform Kaizen and projects to reduce operational costs.
- Taking necessary actions/advise for effective inventory control.

Requirements

Required Skills to be successful:
- OEM experience in sales, operations, and demand planning.
- Strong expertise in data analytics.
- Experience in reporting and forecasting for multiple brands.
- Experience in driving commercial results.

About the Team:
- Reporting to the Managing Director and will work closely with internal and external stakeholders.

What equips you for the role:
- Bachelor's Degree (MBA / MSC Preferred).
- 5 years' work experience in a multinational Sales and Marketing environment in leading Automotive brands.
- Experience in sales planning and demand order plan.
- Extensive knowledge of inventory management systems and supply chain modules in other ERP system.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word/ Excel/ PowerPoint/ MS Projects) Power BI.

About Al-Futtaim Automotive
A major division of the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of companies, Al-Futtaim Automotive is an industry leader with presence in 10 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Our core business activities at Al-Futtaim Automotive include distribution, manufacturing, leasing and aftersales, and we are firmly established as the regional representative of some of the world's most iconic automotive brands: Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Volvo and RAM.

We are driven by a customer-centric approach, constantly pushing the boundaries on innovation, quality standards, and value-added service across our vast universe of customers - right from motoring enthusiasts to fleet operators to contractors. Our mission is to become the leader in custom-made mobility solutions by delivering nothing less than world-class omni-channel experiences.

We channel our local expertise and global trust to deliver one of the most comprehensive portfolios of mobility products and solutions, from passenger cars to SUVs, electric vehicles to high-performance motorbikes, commercial vehicles to industrial & construction equipment.
What keeps the company moving forward is a 9000-member strong team, with inspiring possibilities for growth, throughout the career path. This is Al-Futtaim Automotive and we empower talent to move forward.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.