Demand Planner

About This Role

Demand Forecasting & Planning

• Lead the monthly demand planning process and own the creation of rolling forecasts (3/6/12-month) by market and SKU
• Analyze historical shipment data , market dynamics, and seasonality to build accurate demand plans
• Integrate commercial inputs, promotional plans, and distributor feedback into forecast models
• Drive GTI’s Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) cycle: prepare demand review inputs, align with cross-functional teams, and ensure forecast accountability
• Monitor forecast accuracy and propose improvements to reduce forecast error and improve planning responsiveness
• Assess and synthesize external market inputs (e.g., trade feedback, census data, field insights) into demand signals

Inventory & Sales Performance Visibility

• Provide Supply Chain with validated demand plans to avoid stock-outs, aging inventory, or overproduction
• Track and report stock coverage , safety stock, and product velocity by market/customer/SKU
• Identify gaps in demand vs. supply and propose mitigation plans with relevant stakeholders
• Support launch planning for new products or packaging formats with demand simulations and allocation logic

Sales Reporting & Data Analysis

• Consolidate and structure large datasets from shipment records, customers, and markets
• Build and maintain Excel or Power BI dashboards that track volume trends , seasonality, customer segmentation, SKU performance, and forecast vs. actual variances
• Conduct deep-dive analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to measure sales performance, customer frequency, and region-specific trends
• Read and interpret third-party market data (e.g., retail audits , census data, market studies) to assess market preferences and commercial potential
• Provide monthly and quarterly sales performance reports for leadership decision-making

Process Development & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Supply Chain, Finance, and Commercial teams to align demand plans with supply capabilities and business targets
• Help define the forecast ownership process , cadence, and documentation framework
• Contribute to the development and optimization of GTI’s demand planning tools, templates, and reporting cadence
• Participate in commercial audits, distributor reviews, and market visits to validate assumptions and evolve planning maturity

Required Skills To Be Successful

• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (Power Query, Pivot Tables, Lookup functions) and experience with Power BI or similar dashboard tools
• Excellent analytical capabilities and ability to interpret large, complex datasets
• Strong understanding of demand planning cycles, forecast accuracy KPIs, and S&OP principles
• Able to generate insights from external data such as retail audits or national statistics
• Proactive, collaborative, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, transformation-driven environment
• Strong communication skills to translate data into actionable recommendations across departments

What Equips You For The Role

• 4+ years of experience in demand planning , sales analytics, or commercial forecasting within FMCG, tobacco, or regulated industries
• Hands-on experience with S&OP processes , forecasting tools, and ERP/sales data environments
• Proven ability to consolidate scattered data and convert it into commercial insight
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Economics, Engineering , or related field