UPL - Regional Demand Planner

Regional Demand Planner

Description:

Title - Regional Demand Planner

Reporting Manager - Regional SCM Head

Roles & Responsibilities:

Strategic Activities:

- Define and track regional demand KPIs such as MAPE, Bias (Forecast vs. Actual), and Fidelity (forecast stability/patterns)

- Follow Global demand planning frameworks (e.g., BCG-recommended process) into regional execution across SKUs and markets

- Support adoption of AI/ML forecasting solutions at a regional level, with focus on segmentation (e.g., Y & Z SKUs)

- Partner with the Global S&OP CoE to ensure regional plans align with global forecasting standards while addressing local business needs

- Drive budgeting and annual demand planning exercises for the region in alignment with commercial and finance teams

Tactical Activities:

- Run and monitor regional demand review sessions, ensuring issues are tracked and resolved with stakeholders

- Ensure closure of MOM forecasts (constrained and unconstrained) for the region, supporting supply planning inputs

- Track and manage a regional SKU based demand list, leading improvement in regional demand & forecast

- Align demand and supply to balance inventory health and service levels in coordination with regional supply planners & commercial teams

- Monitor product margins and incorporate marketing promotions into demand planning process to assess the impact on sales forecast

- Drive and support regular portfolio rationalization drives across geographies

- Create and maintain DP templates for region align with APS platform requirements and global guidelines once the system is live

- Manage demand planning readiness for NPLs (New Product Launches) including code creation, forecast preparedness, and launch alignment with commercial and supply teams

Operational Activities:

- Provide regular updates to regional leadership and RSOP on demand risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.

- Maintain clean data and accurate forecast inputs in APS/SONAR systems (e.g., product hierarchy).

- Drive APS/SONAR adoption, ensure user training, and promote system-driven forecasting.

- Share feedback with Global CoE on tool usability and regional customization needs

Key KPIs:

- WMAPE (%), Bias & Demand Fidelity, SONAR & APS Utilization incl. adoption, NPL Demand accuracy and launch readiness metrics