Category Demand Planner

Job Description

Are You Ready to Make It Happen at Mondelēz International?

Join our Mission to Lead the Future of Snacking. Make It Possible.

We are seeking a highly analytical and proactive Category Demand Planner to join our dynamic Supply Chain team. The Category Demand Planner will be instrumental in developing accurate and reliable demand forecasts for a specific category of products, playing a critical role in optimizing our supply chain efficiency, particularly within a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) environment where shelf life is a key factor. This role demands a strong focus on data-driven decision-making, continuous process improvement, and effective collaboration with various cross-functional teams to deliver best service in the eyes of the customer, ensure optimal inventory levels and minimize waste. The ideal candidate will possess a keen willingness to learn, adapt quickly to new challenges, and drive forecasting excellence. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape our data landscape and contribute significantly to our strategic objectives, including laying the groundwork for key IBP process improvements and advanced AI/ML forecasting initiatives.  

You will develop the 0-24-month IBP forecast by brand and at the stock keeping unit (SKU) level. You will coordinate, challenge and influence building blocks with input from sales, marketing and other partners. In addition, you will review the disaggregated short term demand plan, which includes SKU/location mix and weekly pacing. Finally, you will provide the finalized detailed demand plan by SKU to supply planners and adjust it based on feedback from supply planners or commercial teams.  

How you will contribute

1. Demand Forecasting Excellence

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve statistical forecast models, leveraging historical data, market intelligence, promotional plans, IMS and shipment dynamics, distributor inventory and recognized statistical methods. Actively incorporate demand sensing capabilities to capture short-term market signals and dynamics and contribute to demand shaping initiatives through scenario planning and impact assessment of commercial levers.

• Analyze forecast accuracy metrics (e.g., MAPE, bias) and conduct root cause analysis for significant deviations, implementing corrective actions to enhance prediction reliability.

• Incorporate insights from sales, marketing, and category management teams into the forecasting process to build a comprehensive, unbiased demand plan.

• Drive the continuous improvement of forecasting methodologies and tools to achieve best-in-class accuracy and efficiency.

• Manage forecast compilation process, which includes owning the short-term weekly plan and the long-term forecast (three or more months).

• Interact with modelling team to generate statistical forecasting.

2. Process Improvements

• Identify opportunities to streamline and enhance demand planning processes, leveraging technology and best practices to drive operational efficiency.

• Participate in and lead initiatives aimed at improving forecasting tools, processes, systems, and data quality.

• Contribute to the development and implementation of standardized demand planning processes across the organization.

3. Inventory and Waste Reduction

• Collaborate closely with supply planning and operations teams to optimize inventory levels, ensuring product availability while minimizing obsolescence and waste, particularly for products with critical shelf-life considerations.

• Liaise with commercial team to drive stock moveout plans.

• Analyze inventory performance and provide recommendations for replenishment and production plan adjustments based on demand fluctuations and supply constraints.

• Support waste reduction initiatives by providing highly accurate forecasts that enable efficient production and distribution planning.

4. Cross-functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Facilitate and lead monthly Assumptions Validation meetings and Pre-Demand Review, driving consensus on the demand plan with key stakeholders from Sales, Category Planning & Activations, Marketing, Finance, and Supply Chain.

• Effectively communicate demand plans, forecast changes, and key insights to all relevant stakeholders, ensuring alignment and informed decision-making.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with internal partners, serving as the go-to expert for demand-related inquiries within the assigned category.

Qualifications:  

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Statistics, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.

• 2+ years of experience in Demand Planning, Supply Chain Analytics, or a similar role, preferably within a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) environment where shelf life is a key factor.

Technical Skills

• High proficiency in MS Excel and experience in data visualization

• Understanding of ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and/or dedicated planning software (e.g., O9, Anaplan).

• Experience with master data management and governance principles.

• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts for forecasting is a significant advantage.

Core Competencies

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment and effectively manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and integrity.

• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new processes, systems, and business challenges.

• Demonstrate a strong willingness to learn new tools, methodologies, and adapt quickly to evolving business needs and market dynamics.

• Excellent problem-solving skills, analytical skills – and able to understand and interpret data.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Team player who can work with many other functions daily.

No Relocation support available

Business Unit Summary

Mondelēz International in Southeast Asia is in five countries serving 19 markets with more than 18 nationalities and 7,500 employees. This group is emerging as one of the fastest growing regions in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and we are proud of consistently producing high quality products in nine manufacturing sites. We are market leaders in key snacking categories, making and selling brands like Oreo and Tiger biscuits, Kinh Do mooncakes, Jacob’s crackers, Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate, Tang powdered beverage, Halls candy and Eden cheese. We set the benchmark in being a responsible business and contributing to the communities in which we operate.

Mondelēz International is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Job Type

Regular

Demand Planning

Customer Service & Logistics