Customer Collaboration Manager at PZ Cussons

The Role

We are looking for an attentive and detail-oriented individual with clear communication and interpersonal skills, who is able to display strong decision making and has a deep understanding of Supply chin and Forecasting principles. You will be reporting to the Senior Customer Collaboration Manager, and you will be working with the rest of the Customer Collaboration team as the interface between the Customer Supply Chain and the business, hosting regular forecasting review meetings and be the integration point into the sales and commercial organisation.

Duties/Accountabilities:

• Develop demand forecasts (operational forecasts) at multiple levels of aggregation for multiple time horizons as part of a demand planning function.
• Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models, and evaluate forecast results.
• Coordinate cross-functional research activities to reconcile significant variances and refine the forecast model to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions.
• Interact with sales, marketing, and customer collaborative contacts to understand demand forecast drivers.
• Use the Demand Planning software as the primary forecasting system tool.
• Provide input to the Supply Planning organisation to support developing inventory strategies on existing items, new products, and product phase-outs.
• Develop and maintain a suite of reports/templates to be used in the IBP (Integrated Business Planning) process to analyse Forecast Changes, YOY movements.
• IBP Process - challenge the ways of working to improve the quality of information/analysis in the various forums (Commercial Planning Meeting, Forecast Consensus Meeting).
• Prepare and Maintain relevant Customer Specific Reports to include Stock Holding, Sales Data and Stock Cover where appropriate
• Track, review and publish promotional sales performance and promotional evaluations for the customers allocated
• Track, review and action on shelf availability numbers for the customers allocated
• Support the JSCP’s for the customers allocated

Key Attributes/Skills:

• Experience in commercial planning within FMCG
• IT literate with experience of MS office applications
• Intermediate or advanced Excel skills essential
• SAP APO (Advanced Planner and Optimizer) experience essential
• Deep understanding of Supply Chain and Forecasting principles
• Strong communication and excellent interpersonal skills. Comfortable liaising with individuals at all levels
• Excellent attention to detail
• Able to work to strict deadlines and remain calm under pressure