The Demand Planner is responsible for the Sales forecasting, demand planning and monitoring inventory levels for the full product portfolio of Lotus Bakeries Korea. The Demand Planner is also responsible for all placing Purchases Orders and tracking the PO’s plus all communication with our Factory Planning & Export team in Belgium, freight forwarders including communication with Asia region team. The Demand Planner reports to the SC Manager of Lotus Bakeries Korea.

S&OP Process

• Create a solid sales forecast (SFC) by distributor by SKU, based on sales history, seasonality, market trend, commercial activities;
• Validate SFC with each account manager and understand to reasons for large variances between SFC and Actuals, and impact on forecast going forward; if possible use statistical forecasting through IBP; in line with S&OP process, the DP ensure adequate input is given to the S&OP meeting, to allow final decision taking on the S&OP plan (highlight issues like excess stock, constraints etc).
• Consolidate final forecast and compare with BU, highlight any gaps vs BU to management team to trigger action plans;
• Prepare Demand Plan using our specific "Waterfall" template to ensure we have fresh stock available at any given point being able to support the business based on the SFC, while limiting the risk of overstock (Aged stock);
• Works with all stakeholders to ensure that all kinds of promotions, base line volume change, NPD and product phase-out plans for all product lines are addressed as part of the S&OP process
• Grow and improve S&OP maturity continuously to get a sustainable forecast process

Inventory Management

• Target maximum 30 days of stock per SKU to ensure fresh stock is available to our customers at any point in time and have sufficient buffer stock available to support any fluctuations in  the SFC and ad hoc requests. 
• Closely monitor inventory on hand and potential ageing stock – report/discuss potential ageing stock on weekly basis to ensure necessary actions are planned by commercial team
• Ensure proper stock allocation per SKU per distributor in case of supply constraints based on input from commercial team/country manager.
• Measure/review local distributors stock to ensure stock levels at our distributors are reasonable and consider this stock when preparing the demand planning and stock allocation (if applicable).

Inventory replenishment (Purchase Order process) and T&D (including landed) cost management

• Purchase order placement regularly and monitor production status, booking confirmations, shipping schedule changes, and any other logistics issues at origin.
• Works with various stakeholders to ensure that all shipping documents are handed over to Logistics specialist to go through customs clearance and quarantine in Korea
• Verify the invoice issued by freight forwarder and keep tracking of balance amount
• Work with local 3PL logistics company for boned trucking and deliver to the appointed warehouse location
• Prepare monthly landed cost report to monitor the actual cost compared with budget

Master data management and project management

• Maintain/update the material/customer master in SAP
• Update the applicable pricing for repacking products and packaging material as year-end activity 
• Demand and Supply planning related projects assigned on an ad hoc basis
   

Alongside living our TOP values of Team Spirit, Open Dialogue, and Passion, the most important things we’re looking for from you are: 

Ideal candidate: 

• TOP Values: Team Spirit, Open Dialogue, and Passion
• Lotus Competences: Excellent Execution, Driving Result, Improving Continuously, Strategic Thinking, Embracing & leading change, Making people better
• Professional Knowleges: In-depth & broad

Education (degree):

• University level 

Experience:

• Around 4 – 6  years of solid Supply Chain experience, previous working experience as Demand Planner is a plus.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills required including use of advanced formulas
• Experience with SAP is a plus.
• Strong experience in FMCG (preferably in food/drinks), working with A-brands and working in an international environment.
• Knows and understands the supply chain dynamics in Korea.

Language:

• Fluent in Korean and English (both verbally and in writing)

Personal competences:

• Strong personality, serious partner in business, perfect sparring partner for management team and General Manager
• Strong communicator both internal and external. Representative for the company.
• Analytical, fact based, solution thinker and creative (‘how can we make this happen”)
• Hands on mentality, decision maker, can manage short and long term
• Understands the broader picture with an eye for detail.
• Entrepreneurial, high energy level (no 9-5 mentality) and a good sense of humor 

KPI’s:

• On time execution of S&OP process and final SFC and promotion planning
• Timely and accurate placement of PO’s
• Forecast accuracy > 75%
• Update IBP SFC on time and in full
• T&D cost within Budget