Category Planning Manager

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities:

Category Demand & Supply Planning:

- Develop demand forecasts for assigned FMCG categories (Foods, Personal Care, Packaging, etc.)

- Translate sales forecasts into production and supply plans

- Ensure high service levels with minimal stock-outs or excess inventory

- Inventory & Replenishment Planning

- Define inventory norms, safety stock, and replenishment cycles

- Balance working capital vs service levels

- Reduce slow-moving and obsolete inventory

- Supplier & Sourcing Coordination

- Work closely with Procurement / Sourcing teams

- Support supplier selection, capacity planning, and risk mitigation

- Manage seasonality and demand volatility (especially agri-based inputs)

- Logistics & Distribution Planning

- Coordinate with logistics teams for inbound and outbound movement

- Optimize warehouse utilization and transportation cost

- Ensure smooth flow from supplier plant depot market

- Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work with:

- Sales & Marketing (demand inputs, promotions)

- Manufacturing (capacity and production constraints)

- Finance (cost control, working capital)

- Act as a single point of contact for category-level planning decisions

- Performance Monitoring & Reporting

Track and improve KPIs such as:

- Forecast accuracy

- Fill rate / Service level

- Inventory turnover

- Supply lead time

- Cost-to-serve

- Drive continuous improvement initiatives.