Demand Planner (Siqalo)

Company Overview

RCL FOODS is a well-established South African food manufacturer known for iconic brands such as Yum Yum peanut butter, Nola mayonnaise, Ouma rusks, and Selati sugar. Their core ethos, "WE GROW WHAT MATTERS," reflects a commitment to making a meaningful positive impact through collective effort.

Role Overview

Siqalo Foods, part of RCL FOODS, is seeking a Demand Planner for their Spreads Division based in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal. Reporting to the Planning Manager, the Demand Planner will collaborate cross-functionally with Customer, Marketing, Supply Planning, and Commercial teams to manage demand planning and forecasting activities for the consumer segment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a rolling 24-month forward demand plan aligned with management objectives.
• Analyze weekly and monthly sales trends to create accurate demand plans while recommending improvements through cross-department collaboration.
• Perform detailed historical demand analysis, identify and adjust for anomalies, and apply suitable statistical forecasting models per product category.
• Generate, refine, and monitor base demand forecasts, investigating variances and implementing recommendations to enhance forecast accuracy.
• Use root cause analysis and Forecast Value Add techniques for continuous forecast improvement, while preparing demand scenarios to evaluate risks and opportunities.
• Integrate market intelligence, customer insights, and business assumptions into forecasting efforts.
• Prepare promotional and event forecasts incorporating inputs from customer teams, assess promotional volume assumptions against historical data, document assumptions, and ensure precise depot-level forecasting.
• Present consolidated demand forecasts to achieve cross-functional alignment and disseminate approved forecasts via SAP and finance systems.
• Leverage demand planning KPIs to enhance forecast precision, decrease volatility, and distribute performance reports regularly.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Customer, Supply Planning, and R&D teams to accurately forecast new product launches, monitor innovation KPIs, support product discontinuations, and ensure depot-level accuracy for new product developments.
• Analyze data to support portfolio management decisions, including SKU rationalization aligned with guidelines.
• Coordinate across departments to prepare monthly ICSE reports, support customer service enhancements, contribute data for budgeting, and flag demand anomalies requiring special attention.
• Maintain and update product and customer master data and forecast hierarchies, ensuring forecasts exist only for active SKUs.
• Participate in cross-functional projects related to innovation, master data, and demand planning processes.
• Manage demand planning files and reporting tools, ensuring timely and accurate capture of forecast changes and providing reliable data for business decision-making.
• Produce daily, weekly, monthly, and ad hoc reports for stakeholders as needed.
• Uphold ownership of responsibilities, manage priorities efficiently, maintain high standards, and communicate proactively about risks and solutions.
• Support organizational values and contribute to continuous improvement efforts, including team development initiatives and performance management.
• Stay informed about employee relations and compliance matters affecting the team.

Minimum Requirements and Knowledge

• A relevant three-year degree such as a BCom Economics or related Supply Chain Management qualification.
• Completion of a Diploma in SAPICS (CPIM) certification.
• At least three years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain planning within an FMCG setting.
• Prior practical use of planning software tools.
• Expertise in statistical modeling, forecasting methodologies, and demand planning principles.
• Understanding of Forecast Value Add (FVA), forecast bias, and accuracy management.
• Knowledge of scenario planning, risk management, promotional and event forecasting, and new product development forecasting.
• Familiarity with Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), FMCG market and customer dynamics, supply chain and inventory management principles.
• Awareness of Siqalo Foods Consumer business processes and product lines.
• Understanding of multiple key performance indicators (KPIs), their interactions, and impacts on bottom-line results.