Demand Planning Manager, NEDM

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Great things are happening in the Europe and Australia (EUAU) region. Each day, our 2,500 plus colleagues bring their passion to our offices, manufacturing sites, R&D center, and commercial/distributor markets across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. We are energized by over 150 years of bringing people together with the food they love. With beloved brands Old El Paso, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Fibre One, Latina Fresh and more, we are on a mission to become the undisputed growth leader in food for EUAU. In a world that's ever-changing, we look to stay ahead and seek people who share our love of food and are hungry to shape the future.

DEMAND PLANNING MANAGER

We serve the world by making food people love. As one of the world's leading food companies, General Mills believes that food should make us better.

Food brings us joy and nourishes our lives, connecting us to each other and the earth. General Mills operates in more than 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant and more.

We seek out the best talent, offer them great development, trust and support and the chance to lead something big. Choosing a career with General Mills means joining a company where you can make a difference in the lives of millions of people. There is tremendous opportunity here for individuals who want to advance food through innovation and serve the world.

We are looking for a passionate Demand Planning Manager to manage Distributor Markets in Northern Europe, based out of the UK. The position reports to the Head of Supply Chain. A business critical and high impact role- is responsible for developing demand and distributor replenishment plans - that will enable the company to meet its sales and service objectives. Collaboration is paramount with all functions to ensure that the main business objectives are met.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Ensure accurate planning on SKU level to support the rolling 4 months production & procurement plan to factories, and 24 months rolling forecast for crop related SKUs. This in accordance with approved service agreements with plants.
• Ensure accurate planning, sku mix, aggregate volume leading to proper financial planning (Scenarios, Budgets, and long range planning).
• Work closely with key distributors to harmonize process to ensure availability and minimize lost & distress sales
• Champion and lead Customer Collaboration with distributors by;

o Being a business partner

o Deep-dive into supply chain performance losses (Primary/Secondary)

o Monitor and report Stock health to the business and drive corrective actions

o Order proposals/reconciliations & reviews to ensure business plans are delivered

o Support distributor by ensuring right stocks are available at right time/place

o Engaging with top retailers by identifying service improvement opportunities

• Work closely with Supply Planning to evaluate material and production constraints, storage, write offs implications & supply issues in order to provide contingency plans for best utilization of resources aiming at optimizing it.
• Support GIC analyst to assemble and analyze all data related to sales forecast along with (historical sales, market trends, seasonality, promotions...), the base to drive the Demand Reviews.
• Lead Demand Reviews, challenge sales forecast assumptions based on statistical forecast, communicate supply issues, share analysis, share ability to run activities as per suggested timing according to distributors stock, reporting any abnormalities noticed in distributors stock and sales report, supply delays affecting stock levels
• Work closely with CS team to ensure a clean input on the in transit orders for DRP calculation
• Running DRP tools to update shipment plan in APO in accordance with Drop to plant calendar and work closely with customer service team, prompting the orders from distributors in accordance with SLA, ensuring proper supply to answer the projected sales including incremental ones driven by ATL and BTL aligned on activities.
• Track and explain the variance in term of performance versus outlook during demand reviews, share findings and analysis with the Head of Supply Chain
• Measure to improve-KPIs:

o Forecast accuracy (IMS & SHP ) lag-1/lag-3

o Sales Plan Performance (IMS and Shipment) lag-3

• Reconcile the actual orders captured by CS team and ensure forward outlook planning in coordination with Head of Supply Chain
• Ensure customers and plants are aligned with SLA, handle clarification proactively.
• Support in NPD & launch process; liaise concurrently with all stakeholders to ensure timely product supply, including system integration and delivery to customers.
• Ensure a low phase-out cost for non performing SKU as an output of rationalization
• Adhere to company procedures and deadlines

Required: Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor degree in Business, Supply Chain or similar field
• Retail or Distributor facing experience
• PC literacy, proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge and experience working with advanced planning & replenishment systems (JDA/o9/OMP/Kinaxis)
• 6+ years' experience in a similar field- Food industry, multinational company
• Knowledge of supply chain concepts and application
• Experience of working with German/Swiss distributors or retailers

Desired: Qualifications/Skills/Experience

• Knowledge about ERP planning- SAP APO is highly desired
• German speakers

Required: Work Attributes/Qualities

• Excellent communicator who is comfortable dealing with various levels in the organization including senior management.
• Effective negotiating skills both internal and external
• A proven "doer" who acts with speed and agility to deliver results.
• Embodies winning as a team culture with full commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to meticulously plan and pivot when required
• Team playe
• Presentation skills, ability to communicate effectively within greater environment by building strong relationship with suppliers and distributor
• Analytical skills, proficiency to record, interpret and analyze key data

COMPANY OVERVIEW

We exist to make food the world loves. But we do more than that. Our company is a place that prioritizes being a force for good, a place to expand learning, explore new perspectives and reimagine new possibilities, every day. We look for people who want to bring their best - bold thinkers with big hearts who challenge one other and grow together. Because becoming the undisputed leader in food means surrounding ourselves with people who are hungry for what's next.