Supply Planning Manager

Role Overview

The Supply Planning Manager will play a crucial role within the Supply Chain Centre of Excellence by ensuring timely and accurate product availability across all channels including General Trade, Modern Trade, Quick Commerce, and Online B2B. This position demands a strong analytical mindset, effective cross-team collaboration, and system-oriented thinking to balance demand uncertainties with reliable supply.

Key Responsibilities

• Align brand and channel sales forecasts with manufacturing capabilities to avoid shortages or excess inventory.
• Collaborate with planning and sales teams to spot supply gaps, foster consensus on prioritization, and initiate escalations promptly.
• Maintain comprehensive weekly and monthly dashboards monitoring supply coverage across all trade channels.
• Set and track optimal inventory levels (Days of Holding and safety stock) by SKU and channel to maintain service excellence.
• Identify and manage slow-moving, surplus, or near expiry stocks through redistribution or liquidation strategies.
• Monitor Fill Rate performance segmented by SKU, channel, and region, performing root cause analyses for any declines.
• Coordinate short- and medium-term production schedules alongside manufacturing and procurement teams.
• Develop rolling projections for raw and packaging materials supply relative to production plans, monitoring Available-to-Promise metrics and identifying coverage gaps.
• Manage purchase order forecasts to maintain defined inventory norms, factoring in minimum order quantities and lead times, while aiding supplier allocation decisions based on cost, reliability, capacity, and testing.
• Engage in the monthly Sales & Operations Planning and Integrated Business Planning cycles, preparing pre-reads, supply risk assessments, and coordinating demand-supply-finance alignment.
• Create and analyze 'what-if' scenarios addressing promotions, launches, seasonal changes, and potential supply interruptions.
• Maintain critical product and risk trackers to guide prioritization and inform stakeholders.
• Support systems transition initiatives like MRP implementation and SKU rationalization through data-driven insights.
• Prepare and distribute various reports including weekly Fill Rate Views per channel, inventory health checks, and root cause analyses leveraging tools such as Excel, SAP/ERP, and BI platforms.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related disciplines; MBA in Operations or Supply Chain Management is preferred.
• 5 to 7 years of experience in supply chain roles focused on supply planning and demand-supply coordination.
• Experience working in large FMCG organizations or dynamic consumer startups is highly valued.

Technical and Soft Skills

• Expertise in Microsoft Excel including modeling, dashboard creation, and scenario analysis tools.
• Familiarity with SAP and ERP systems; exposure to advanced planning tools like SAP APO, Kinaxis, or equivalents is advantageous.
• Competence in data visualization and reporting with tools such as Power BI is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills with a methodical approach to problem solving.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy in reporting and data management.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English and Hindi.