Package Description
Main purpose of role:
We are seeking a highly analytical and strategic SF&OP Manager to lead and manage the Sales Forecast & Operations Planning (SF&OP) process. The SF&OP Manager is responsible for all sales forecasting activities – by products, purchasing by Supply Chain and Inventory Management through the Inventory Roll Forward Model, along with running the monthly SF&OP Senior Management Review. This pivotal role acts as the primary liaison between Sales, Marketing, Product Management, Supply Chain/Operations and Finance, to ensure demand forecasts are accurate, aligned, and actionable—driving effective decision-making across the business, to ensure effective and efficient Cash Management and Inventory Timing and Holding.
Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities:
1. SF&OP process management
- Management and optimization of the monthly SF&OP cycle, to include: demand review, supply review, etc..
- Establishment of a structured reporting system (KPIs, dashboards) for decision support.
- Support gathering, analysis and reporting of business, customer and market intelligence.
2. Demand Planning & Forecasting
- Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, customer inputs, develop statistical forecast, and evaluate forecast results using forecasting software.
- Retrieve, validate and review customer Point of Sales (POS) data for forecasting and business intelligence purposes.
- Coordinate cross-functional review of forecasts to reconcile variances, anomalies and uncertainties to develop a consensus forecast.
- Maintain the forecasting software as the primary tool for forecasting. Create reports in the forecasting tool or via the business intelligence tool.
- Proactively provide input to the supply chain, sales, finance and other teams to optimise operations, inventory management and reporting. Provide ad hoc information or reports to various teams.
- Continually monitor and review forecasting performance metrics to improve forecasting models and / or processes.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships internally with relevant cross-functional teams whilst maintaining rigour and integrity of established processes.
- Lead the cross-functional SF&OP process to identify pain points, risks and opportunities.
3. Stakeholder management & communication
- Building strong, trusting relationships and acting as the key link between sales, marketing, supply chain/operations, and finance.
- Promoting cooperation and mutual understanding between operational and commercial functions.
- Proactively provide input to the business to optimize operations, inventory management and reporting. Provide ad hoc information and data modelling as required.
Key Skills and Personal Qualities required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Economics or a related field
- 4+ years’ experience in Demand Planning, Supply Chain Planning, or S&OP-related roles
- Strong business acumen and ability to align operations with strategic goals
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, collating multiple types of data and information from multiple sources, and to analyse and prepare coherent information and reports
- Ability to set priorities, work under pressure and to strict timelines, and follow through with assigned tasks with limited supervision
- Proficiency in Excel, forecasting software, and ERP systems (eg AX, D365), familiarity with Business Intelligence tool (eg MS Power BI) preferable
- Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to lead cross-functional teams
- Excellent English skills
Britax Romer