Planning Manager at Jyoti International Foods, Pune

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and analytical Manager – Demand Planning to lead demand forecasting, supply planning, inventory management, and distribution planning activities. The role requires strong expertise in demand planning, statistical analysis, inventory optimisation, and cross-functional coordination to ensure product availability while maintaining optimal inventory levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead demand forecasting and planning activities by analysing historical sales, market trends, seasonality, and other relevant business variables.
• Develop accurate demand forecasts in coordination with Sales, Procurement, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Apply statistical techniques and data-driven methodologies to analyse large and disparate datasets and improve forecast accuracy.
• Identify demand trends, forecast deviations, and potential supply-demand gaps, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Translate demand forecasts into actionable procurement, replenishment, and inventory plans.
• Analyse data to anticipate future requirements and ensure adequate product availability across the distribution network.
• Take end-to-end ownership of inventory planning, Material Requirements Planning (MRP), and replenishment processes.
• Ensure optimal inventory levels while balancing product availability, working capital, and inventory holding costs.
• Oversee supply planning, distribution planning, and inventory management across regional Distribution Centres (DCs).
• Develop country-level inventory deployment plans to meet anticipated customer demand and service-level requirements.
• Coordinate with warehousing and DC teams to ensure inventory accuracy, availability, and accountability across locations.
• Conduct ABC classification, inventory ageing analysis, stock coverage reviews, and other inventory performance assessments.
• Monitor slow-moving, non-moving, excess, and ageing inventory and initiate timely corrective actions to minimise stock write-offs and inventory risks.
• Track forecast accuracy, stock availability, inventory turnover, and other key planning metrics.
• Collaborate with vendors, sourcing teams, and internal planners to align supply plans with forecasted demand and procurement requirements.
• Identify and reconcile supply gaps, shortages, and planning discrepancies, ensuring timely escalation of potential risks.
• Establish an early-warning mechanism for supply constraints, demand fluctuations, and inventory risks.
• Provide planning inputs for product phase-in and phase-out activities in consultation with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Work closely with Sales, Procurement, Logistics, Warehousing, and Finance teams to ensure seamless coordination across the supply chain.
• Drive timely resolution of supply-related challenges and ensure adherence to agreed planning and delivery timelines.
• Lead, guide, and mentor a team of planners to ensure effective execution of demand forecasting, replenishment, and inventory planning activities.
• Establish clear performance objectives and monitor team performance against forecast accuracy, inventory targets, and service levels.
• Drive standardisation and continuous improvement of demand planning, MRP, inventory management, and reporting processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve planning efficiency, reduce inventory costs, minimise stock-outs, and enhance forecast reliability.
• Prepare and present periodic management reports, planning reviews, and actionable insights to support business decisions.
• Champion supply chain initiatives that improve operational efficiency, inventory productivity, and overall business performance.

Requirements

• Strong expertise in demand forecasting, supply planning, distribution planning, and inventory management.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to interpret large datasets and identify meaningful trends.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, charts, lookup functions, and trend analysis.
• Working knowledge of SAP or other ERP systems, such as Oracle, for demand and inventory planning.
• Strong presentation skills and proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint for management reporting and business reviews.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong logical reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to develop and implement effective planning strategies within defined timelines.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Experience in leading teams and coordinating planning activities across multiple locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• FMCG, Food & Beverage, Food Distribution, Hotels, Restaurants, Supply Chain Management, and Logistics.
• Experience in fast-moving consumer goods, food products, or multi-location distribution operations will be an added advantage.