This role is accountable for driving excellence in Demand Planning, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), and Master Data Management. The position oversees forecasting activities, process maturity, analytics, scenario planning, and performance management across India and the broader region. It also leads the planning service operations team to deliver agreed service levels and best-in-class planning capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

Integrated Business Planning & Forecasting:

- Drive IBP maturity by strengthening planning processes, governance, and cross-functional alignment.

- Lead market and regional forecasting activities, including demand shaping and recurring Demand Review cycles.

- Integrate financial forecasting with the IBP process to ensure alignment between operational and financial plans.

- Provide leadership in short- and medium-term forecasting horizons (1-24 months).

- Oversee the end-to-end forecast upload process for the APAC region.

Data, Analytics & Forecast Quality:

- Lead statistical forecasting using advanced analytics, forecasting models, and data insights.

- Monitor, report, and improve key planning KPIs such as MAPE, Bias, service metrics, and revenue-linked measures.

- Develop new analytics, dashboards, and reports to support continuous improvement, including trend analysis, forecastability assessment, and Forecast Value Add (FVA).

- Identify anomalies and trends to support better decision-making across commercial, supply chain, and finance teams.

Scenario Planning, Inventory & Risk Management:

- Conduct scenario planning to understand risks, opportunities, and potential trade-offs across demand, supply, and inventory.

- Drive inventory optimization strategies to improve working capital and supply continuity.

- Identify demand-shaping opportunities that balance service, cost, and capacity.

Master Data Management:

- Ensure excellence in global master data maintenance within the planning systems.

- Uphold data integrity, governance, and process consistency across all planning parameters and structures.

Planning Service Centre Leadership:

- Lead best-practice implementation across the planning service operations, ensuring consistent processes and effective use of planning tools.

- Provide oversight of all planning and operational activities at the service center, ensuring adherence to agreed service levels.

- Develop and maintain SOPs, process documentation, and operational standards.

- Build, coach, and develop a high-performance team with strong planning and analytic capabilities.

India Market Demand Leadership:

- Facilitate India Demand Review meetings, ensuring shared accountability between commercial and supply chain for forecast accuracy.

- Translate market intelligence, customer inputs, promotions, seasonality, and external drivers into accurate demand projections.

- Act as the central point of contact for all India demand, supply, and service-related concerns.

Key Requirements (Skills, Competencies & Experience):

Technical & Functional Skills:

- Strong expertise in Demand Planning, IBP, and S&OP/SIOP processes.

- Proficiency in statistical forecasting and familiarity with advanced analytics tools or platforms (e.g., IBP systems, forecasting engines).

- Deep understanding of master data structures and planning system configuration.

- Experience in inventory optimization, scenario planning, and supply-demand balancing.

- Strong analytical skills with ability to work with large datasets and derive actionable insights.

Competencies:

- Strategic thinking with the ability to connect operational, commercial, and financial plans.

- Excellent cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management.

- Strong communication and facilitation skills to lead demand reviews and decision forums.

- Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify and drive process efficiencies.

- Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team.

- Strong problem-solving, prioritization, and decision-making skills.