Demand Planner, ESA

What you will be expected to do:

• Liaise with stakeholders to develop and maintain short, medium, and long-term demand forecasts for ESA markets.
• Review historical sales trends, seasonality, market intelligence, promotions, and customer insights to improve forecast accuracy.
• Facilitate monthly demand review meetings with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Monitor forecast performance and continuously improve forecasting accuracy.
• Manage demand planning inputs for new product launches, discontinuations, and promotional activities.

• Contribute to the regional SIOP process by providing accurate demand projections with a target of 85%+ forecast accuracy.
• Work closely with global supply planning and procurement teams to align supply availability with market demand, targeting zero stock-outs across all markets.
• Identify demand gaps, supply risks, and inventory exposure and recommend mitigation actions.

• Review sales performance, inventory trends, and demand patterns across ESA markets.
• Track key demand planning KPIs including, but not limited to, forecast accuracy, service levels, inventory turns, quantity value of working capital optimization, and loss of revenue from low inventory levels.
• Provide recommendations on trade-offs to optimize working capital requirements for the business.
• Provide supply chain health check reporting to management to inform changes in ordering frequency, safety stock definitions, and working capital requirements.

• Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Commercial Finance, and Country Sales and Operations Managers to align commercial plans with demand forecasts.
• Work with local procurement teams, coordinate on lead times, and communicate business needs in advance to avoid supply chain bottlenecks.
• Maintain accurate demand planning data in ERP and forecasting systems.
• Communicate demand risks, assumptions, and forecast changes effectively to stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in forecasting tools, planning processes, and reporting capabilities.
• Contribute to automation and digital transformation initiatives within supply chain planning.

You might be a strong candidate if you have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Statistics, Economics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5+ years of continuous experience in regional demand planning, supply chain planning, forecasting, or commercial planning.
• Experience managing multiple markets within Africa, preferably ESA.
• Strong quantitative and numerical skills with advanced Excel capability.
• Experience using ERP and planning systems such as SAP, IBP, Oracle, or similar tools.
• Experience in FMCG, consumer goods, renewable energy, retail, manufacturing, or distribution industry experience preferred.
• Knowledge of regional trade dynamics and supply chain considerations within Africa.
• Ability to travel within ESA markets as required.
• Strong quantitative evaluation and problem-solving skills.
• Commercial and business acumen.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to work effectively across diverse cultures.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced matrix environment.

What Sun King offers:

• Professional growth in a dynamic, rapidly expanding, high-social-impact industry
• An open-minded, collaborative culture made up of enthusiastic colleagues who are driven by the challenge of innovation towards profound impact on people and the planet.
• A truly multicultural experience: you will have the chance to work with and learn from people from different geographies, nationalities, and backgrounds.
• Structured, tailored learning and development programs that help you become a better leader, manager, and professional through the Sun Center for Leadership.