Title:  Lead: Demand Planning - Stellenbosch

We Go Places! How about you?
Immediate Superior: Head of Planning 
Job Grade: 20 
Location: Stellenbosch
Function: Supply Chain
Sub Function: Planning
Type of Contract: Permanent
Reference Number: 145170 
Closing Date: 22/10/2025

Purpose of the position:

The Lead: Demand Planning’s primary purpose is to assume a “Super User” and management role supporting and overseeing Demand Planners and the Demand Planning Process within the S&OP cycle at a strategic, tactical and operational level. The lead should define an efficient and effective demand planning process supporting business initiatives and driving an effective volume plan for business execution through the management of forecast performance, relevant statistical model selection, fine-tuning and relevant stakeholder engagement.

The Demand Planning Lead is responsible for managing the annual Heineken Budget volume process from the demand side. The Demand Planning Lead is responsible for driving effective projects to deliver continuous improvement initiatives within demand planning. The lead partners with various business stakeholders to support activities relating to demand planning to arrive at a realistic executable view of market demand.

Key Performance Areas would include, but are not limited to:

• Lead the end-to-end Demand Planning function for the centre in support of all regions.
• Act as the Key support to the Demand Review process within the overall S&OP process.
• Responsible for Scenario planning using advanced planning software.
• Oversee and ensure a high level of master data accuracy on all master data elements impacting demand planning.
• Increased focus on statistical forecasting to improve forecast accuracy.
• Oversee the demand planning process to ensure weekly forecasts at the depot level are maintained in the planning system.
• Facilitate and validate input from various business areas as well as market-related insights.
• Communicate effectively within the Supply Chain and all business units.
• Present demand information in an easily digest-able format across different levels and forums in the organisation.
• Practice a high level of judgment on influencing key decisions required from S&OP and S&OE impacting OTIF, Working Capital and COGS.
• Escalate key insights/implications on the business area due to demand changes.
• Developing weekly and monthly statistical forecasts and relating and measuring the impact of forecast accuracy.
• Assemble and analyse all data relevant to creating the consensus forecast (historical sales, market trends, seasonality, promotions, inventory policies and profiles, etc.).
• Make recommended adjustments to generate a statistical forecast based on changes in demand and market trends.
• Review recommended sales forecasts and inventory goals (emphasis on product/segment objectives, new product introduction, and promotions).
• Analyse historical demand and remove anomalies (including outliers) from the norm using historical information, knowledge of the category and through receiving input from the relevant functional departments (Sales and Marketing).
• Review sales plans, finance budget updates or latest estimates and demand drivers.
• Achieve consensus for operational demand forecasts by collaborating with sales, marketing, and finance departments in support of the S&OP process.
• Enter and modify data and ensure the correctness of the product/customer and location hierarchy.
• Identify relevant market-related data and competitive intelligence.
• Prepare and maintain relevant reports about forecast accuracy and the demand planning process.
• Follow Heineken Beverages’ policies and procedures and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

The successful candidate must have the following Skills and experience:

• B.Com degree in disciplines such as Economics, Supply Chain Management or Statistics.
• 7+ Years of hands-on experience in demand planning.
• 5+ Years of experience interacting with sales, finance, and marketing departments concerning inventory and commercial activities such as market demand trends, product seasonality, promotional campaigning, etc
• Excellent MS Excel, MS Word, and MS PowerPoint skills.
• Experience with advanced planning software at the super user level.
• Intermediate level understanding of the integration between the planning system and other corporate systems (BY, BIP, Tableau, etc.)
• Display an advanced understanding of supply planning principles concerning efficient production, resource capacities, Master Scheduling and S&OPs, BOMs and purchasing.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Problem-solving & decision-making ability.
• Experience in forecasting and inventory management systems.
• Experience in Blue Yonder Supply Chain software

The Company’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply. Heineken Beverages (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd) is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates and values inclusion and diversity. You must be fully eligible to live and work in South Africa to apply.