Job description

Job Summary:

Manage the demand planning process at Category and Item Level by creating & maintaining accurate Open-to-Buy data to be used by departments to maximize sales while maintaining planned stock/inventory.

Proactively ensure that the orders are placed in a timely manner and the stocks are available on time with major focus on maximizing sales. 

Job Responsibilities:

•   Maintain accurate monthly stock, sales, margins and intakes by category, available to the business by the start of every month, incorporating actual data from previous month

•   Facilitate monthly departmental meetings to reforecast sales, margins & orders at category/item level 

•   Prepare monthly item wise orders taking into account supplier production time, transit and clearance time, store promotions, sales history, pricing, seasonality etc. and conduct monthly meetings with the key stakeholders to agree on future orders

•   Weekly analysis of forecast vs actual sales of items to identify gaps and highlight to the relevant stakeholders to take corrective action to maximize sales

•   Review every Purchase Order before its release to evaluate its impact on stock and make sure the orders are as per the order forecast agreed during forecasting meetings

•   Proactively alert key stakeholders and department heads if orders are not placed on time, overstock/out of stock situation etc. 

•   Ensure stock availability on all best sellers and continuous lines through out the year

•   Create and share Forecast Accuracy report to all departments based on Sales Forecast vs Actual Sales on a monthly basis

•   Focus to be on maximizing sales by ensuring stock availability at all times

•   Manage prioritization of shipments and interact with logistics team to prioritize clearance from port

Candidate Requirements:

•   Minimum 3 to 5 years’ experience of stock management and sales forecasting preferably in a retail merchandising environment

•   Thorough working knowledge of retail procurement in both local and overseas markets

•   Very strong Excel and Reporting skills is a must

•   Good proficiency in developing reports and providing insights to the business

•   Positive attitude with a ‘can do’ approach when working under pressure or to tight deadlines

•   Able to work with other support functions, being a team player

•   Excellent communication skills 

•   Well-developed analytical, reasoning and data interpretation skills

•   Strong skills in Business Objects, SAP and MS office

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree

MBA

Skills

• Strong demand planning, forecasting, and inventory management skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, SAP, Business Objects, and MS Office.
• Excellent analytical, reporting, and data interpretation abilities.
• Knowledge of retail procurement, replenishment, and supply chain processes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and perform effectively under pressure.
• High attention to detail with a proactive, results-oriented mindset.
• Experience in retail merchandising or FMCG environments is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA is an advantage.