Supply and Demand Synchronization manager

Partner in Pet Food (PPF) is an innovative, leading European pet food producer, supplying over 600 customers, including major grocery retailers, supermarkets, specialized pet shops in the 40 markets in which it operates. PPF is the second largest producer of Retailer Brand wet and dry pet food in Europe, offering a full range of high quality cat and dog food products. PPF is headquartered in Hungary, employs around 3. 000 staff and has operations in 10 countries. We are looking for a Supply and Demand Synchronization manager, who would like to be a part of our international team.

PPF operates within a centralized planning framework to manage its supply network. We are seeking an experienced Supply and Demand Synchronization (S&DS) Manager to join our dynamic Supply Chain team. This role is primarily focused on short-term supply planning (1–13 weeks), ensuring optimal production planning and execution across all categories of our Pet Food business. The Supply and Demand Synchronization (S&DS) Manager oversees centralized supply planning, ensuring short-term product availability across all markets. They design and optimize planning processes, deploy systems, and align operations across key functions like Procurement, Production, and Customer Service.

The role supports both immediate (1–13 week) planning and long-term strategy through collaboration within the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) framework. By driving decisions on inventory, capacity, and sourcing, the manager helps eliminate disruptions and meet service goals. Acting as the primary contact for markets and manufacturing sites, they bring visibility and coordination across the organization. Duties and responsibilities: Lead short-term supply network planning to optimize capacity utilization and meet customer service targets. Maintain balanced inventory levels, ensuring product availability while managing total delivered cost.

Collaborate closely with the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) team to ensure alignment with mid- and long-term planning horizons. Manage and develop a team of 7 direct reports located across multiple countries. Drive continuous improvement in planning processes and cross-functional coordination. People & CollaborationLead and develop a geographically dispersed supply planning team (7 direct reports) to enhance maturity and performance. Build strong collaboration with 12 supplying plants, understanding demonstrated and projected output, and resolving related issues. Develop and optimize category-specific supply networks, reducing frozen production periods, changeover times, and enhancing capacity backup capabilities. Translate market requirements into supply network needs and vice versa.

Manage relationships with key business partners, including market GMs, Customer Service, Finance, and Procurement, ensuring timely and structured communication. Functional tasksDrive supply network planning, optimizing capacity and inventory in line with market requirements and demand forecasts. Manage short-term constraints with effective execution and transparent stakeholder communication. Monitor and mitigate supply risks to ensure market supply continuity. Oversee creation, review, and adjustment of operational and tactical distribution plans and production schedules. Identify long-term demand and supply challenges, set inventory targets, and advise on network capacity strategies. Track and report KPIs (e. g.

, service level, inventory health, schedule adherence) to support business performance and early issue detection. Conduct root cause analysis and develop action plans for past issues while monitoring future availability risks. Lead continuous improvement projects to enhance process efficiency and reduce costs. Supply and Demand Synchronization manager tasksShort-Term Focus (1–13 weeks): Lead and optimize the weekly Supply & Demand Synchronization process. Mid-Term Support (3–18 months): Prepare monthly Rough Cut Capacity Planning, manage capacity changes, and initiate backup production. Prepare and lead the monthly Supply Review as part of the IBP process. Integrate recent and future acquisitions into centralized planning processes.

Drive execution of value chain segmentation decisions. Balance product availability with inventory cost efficiency; establish and review stock policies for finished goods. Challenge production planners on lot sizes and cycle times to optimize inventory and freshness. Collaborate with Demand Planners to improve forecast accuracy. Processes & SystemsFurther implement Kinaxis Maestro for supply and inventory planning. Provide supply planning input for the new ERP implementation. Document and optimize supply planning processes and systems. Build capability and key user structures to support system and process excellence. You are the right fit, if you have:

University degree, preferably in SC/ Logistics, engineering, economy or alikeDemonstrated professional communication, also with senior managementMinimum 10 years of relevant supply chain planning an operations experience, coveringExperience in demand-, production- and inventory planning, scenario planning – ideally in FMCG businessStrong analytical and comprehensive skills are most important, as well as an open-mindedness and ability to maneuver through uncertain grounds in an entrepreneurial environmentknow how to motivate people, also on dotted line basis, and how to drive larger transformations and related change managementSupply chain background with the operational cooperation with production plants, production lines, capacities etc.

Strong Leadership SkillsResult and action orientedCustomer focusPlanning agilityStrong line management and influencing skillsDrive for continuous improvementProfessional EnglishStrong IT skills with systems, preferably experience with Navision, SAP, Microsoft as well as Kinaxis Maestro and Power BIThe position is based in the PPF Headquarter in Budapest, about 10 % travel is required within Europe. What we offer: Excellent salarySZÉP CardHome office opportunityCommuting allowanceFree Fitness opportunityPet-friendly officeHealthy breakfasts and other gatherings in the office