The Sales Analyst and Demand Planner position analyzes sales data, develops forecasts, and collaborates with various teams to optimize inventory and sales strategies. They will use data analysis and forecasting techniques to predict product demand, provide statistical reporting activities associated with customers and products; and ensuring optimal stock levels to meet customer needs while minimizing excess inventory.

Key Responsibilities

Demand Planning:

• Review historical sales trends, research demand drivers, prepare forecast data, develop statistical forecast models based on actual historical trends and future business plans, and evaluate forecast results.
• Maintain forecast models for all branches, incorporating business intelligence and forecast Information gathered from sales, marketing, finance, retailer replenishment analysis, and other sources (i.e. Nielsen or other syndicated consumer data.
• Using forecasting models and software to predict future demand at various levels of aggregation.
• Provide procurement with the aligned demand forecast and net inventory replenishment requirements to inform inventory sourcing on a monthly basis.
• Collaborating with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to refine forecasts and align on strategies.

Sales Analysis:

• Analyzing sales data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement.
• Monitoring sales performance against targets and identifying areas needing attention.
• Tracking sales metrics and creating dashboards to visualize performance.
• Prepares and reports on sales performance to the management.

Inventory Management:

• Working with supply chain to ensure optimal inventory levels to meet customer demand while minimizing costs.
• Developing inventory strategies for new products, existing items, and product phase-outs.
• Statistically determine and maintain ideal stock levels for all SKUs in all branches on a quarterly basis.
• Provide weekly reports to nominated managers on inventory levels, sales trend by product type and sales persons to support marketing initiatives
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Schedule and coordinate cross-functional sales & operations planning meetings to reconcile significant variances and refine the forecast model to reflect updated sales and marketing assumptions.
• Coordinate and communicating demand forecasts and insights to relevant stakeholders.

Process Improvement:

• Identifying opportunities to improve the demand planning process and forecasting accuracy.
• Refining systems and methods to better anticipate customer needs and improve overall efficiency.

Skills, Experience & Education

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Business Administration, Marketing, or any relevant discipline. Postgraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline will be an added advantage

Experience

• 3-5 years of experience in a similar role, preferably in a fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) or manufacturing environment.
• Good analytical skills with proficiency in the use of Excel, BI tools and PowerPoint