Supply Planning Manager

Company DetailsCareem Grocery is redefining how people shop for groceries, pharmacy, and retail products in the Middle East. As an innovative vertical within Careem, the region's leading super app, Careem Grocery aims to simplify lives by offering a seamless, fast, and reliable shopping experience. With a focus on quality, trust, and convenience, Careem Grocery is committed to delivering essentials swiftly, ensuring customers have more time for what truly matters.Job Roles & ResponsibilitiesWe are seeking a Demand/Supply Planning Manager (L9) who thrives in a dynamic environment and is passionate about optimizing supply chain operations. In this role, you will lead the demand and supply planning processes, ensuring alignment between customer demand and inventory supply to meet business objectives.Key ResponsibilitiesDemand Forecasting: Utilize historical sales data, market trends, and customer insights to develop accurate demand forecasts for our quick commerce groceries business.Demand Variability Management: Develop strategies to manage and mitigate demand volatility, considering factors such as seasonality, promotions, and external market influences.Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP): Lead the S&OP process, facilitating regular meetings to align demand and supply plans, identify gaps, and develop action plans to meet business objectives.Reporting and Communication: Prepare and present demand planning reports, including key performance indicators (KPIs), to senior management and stakeholders. Communicate forecast updates, insights, and recommendations to internal teams.Inventory Management: Plan and manage inventory levels to meet customer demand while minimizing costs and stockouts. Collaborate with suppliers and logistics teams to optimize inventory replenishment processes.Collaborative Forecasting: Engage with internal stakeholders, such as sales, marketing, and product teams, to gather input and align on demand forecasts.Data Analysis: Analyze sales data, market trends, and other relevant factors to identify patterns and drivers of demand. Utilize statistical models and forecasting tools to generate accurate demand projections.Continuous Improvement: Monitor demand planning processes, identify areas for improvement, and implement enhancements to optimize forecasting accuracy, inventory turnover, and supply chain efficiency.Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, logistics, and operations, to ensure effective execution of demand plans. Provide input and support for new product launches, promotions, and supply chain initiatives.Systems and Tools: Leverage advanced demand planning tools and statistical forecasting software to enhance forecasting accuracy and automate processes where applicable.Ideal candidate profileExperience: 4+ years of experience in a supply chain role or similar. Time spent in tech, logistics, or a start-up is a plus.Education: Bachelor's in Engineering, with a focus on Supply Chain or Operations Management is a plus.Analytical Skills: Strong analytical capabilities, mastery of Excel is required. Bonus points for technical ability in SQL.Work Ethic: Grittiness. You never hesitate to roll up your sleeves and address something hands-on; you persevere when others fall away.Attention to Detail: High level of attention to detail & speed of execution; the role will require lots of daily operational follow-ups.Communication: Strong communication skills, as you will need to communicate with all levels of Supplier & DC operation teams.Initiative: Self-starter - the ability to self-serve, investigate, and get the data we require will make you much more effective in this role.