Sales and Operations Planning Manager (S&OP)

Tiger Brands Ltd

2014 - 2020

South Africa

• Implemented and managed the end-to-end Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) processes for the Canned Fruit Category (annual intake of 120,000 tons of fresh fruit) and the Baby Category (9.4 million cases annually), aligning operations with key company objectives.

• Led the development of integrated S&OP systems and reports, concurrently establishing rigorous daily, weekly, and monthly S&OP cycle meetings with Category Leadership and relevant stakeholders.

• Ensured full visibility and transparency across all business functions, supporting Category Executives, Category Management, and relevant teams in executing timely and effective risk-mitigating action plans.

• Facilitated all S&OP meetings, ensuring real-time response to supply risks and challenges.

• Proficiently conducted comprehensive S&OP analysis and reporting, encompassing sales, production, inventory, customer service levels, and historical and projected financial performance, providing valuable insights for business decision support.

• Played a pivotal role in operational planning for both categories, executing tactical, strategic, and long-term planning. Conducted supply chain capacity studies and provided project support and coordination.

• Functioned as the primary point of contact for all demand, production, and inventory inquiries.

ACHIEVEMENT: Employee of the Year Award, Canned Fruit Division, September 2015, for significantly improving demand and production planning.

Master Planner

Tiger Brands Ltd

2007 - 2014

South Africa

• Established and led the Planning Department for the Beverage Division following the acquisition from Cadbury Schweppes in 2006.

• Managed a diverse product portfolio with an annual volume output of 108 million litres, successfully navigating the challenges of a highly seasonal, short shelf-life Beverage environment.

• As the operational planner, developed, continuously enhanced, and maintained integrated demand, production, finished goods inventory, and distribution planning systems. Initially utilizing MS Excel, later oversaw the transition to SO99 (ERP) by ToolsGroup.

• Led the monthly Supply Review meetings with Category Leadership and cross-functional teams. Presented comprehensive data on sales, production, inventory, and customer service levels. Compiled and monitored action plans to address demand and supply-related risks and challenges.

• Contributed to the success of major project implementations, including Advanced Planning System (ERP) - Project Lead, a 3PL service provider change, and manufacturing plant consolidation. Actively participated in New Product Development projects (NPD Department), range extensions and rationalizations.

• Functioned as the single point of contact for all demand, production, inventory, and distribution inquiries, and aided in business decision support.

ACHIEVEMENT: Elevated customer service levels from below 80% to consistently above 90% while reducing finished goods inventory by 50%. Additionally, as the Project Lead in the implementation of an Advanced Planning System (ERP), co-presented with ToolsGroup at the annual SAPICS conference held in Sun City, South Africa in June 2010, sharing valuable insights on advanced planning systems from a user's perspective.

Supply Chain Coordinator

Tiger Brands Ltd

2003 - 2006

South Africa

• Managed procurement, planning, raw material and packaging material inventory, warehouse operations, and office administration for the Jarred Baby Food Manufacturing Unit, ensuring seamless and efficient operations within the Unit.

• As an integral part of the Unit Management team, contributed to the collective success of achieving a monthly production output of 7 million jarred baby food bottles.

• Formulated, implemented, and continuously improved relevant systems and reporting practices.

• Managed an average month-end raw material and packaging material inventory value of R3.6 million, controlled a monthly expense budget of R55,000 and an annual purchasing budget of R60 million.

• Cultivated successful relationships with 53 suppliers, negotiated various supplier agreements and contracts, ensured compliance with specifications, and facilitated periodical price negotiations.

ACHIEVEMENT: Successfully implemented measures resulting in a 42% reduction in the year-end raw material and packaging material inventory value for 2004 compared to the prior year.

Logistics Planner

Tiger Brands Ltd

2002 - 2003

South Africa

• Ensured optimal stock levels within regional distribution warehouses for the Culinary Business stream.

• Developed and maintained the Distribution Requirements Plan (DRP).

• Facilitated daily communication with the 3PL Service Provider for DRP execution and coordinated with Manufacturing Units for supply. Implemented action plans for prompt issue resolution.

• Designed comprehensive stock holding and sales performance reports for daily internal distribution to Business Executives and relevant stakeholders.

• Actively contributed to the design phase of an Integrated Planning Project.

Manufacturing Planner

Tiger Brands Ltd

2002 - 2002

South Africa

• Generated the tactical and long-term production plans and label requirement plans for the Glass Unit (500,000 cases annually) and the Peanut Butter Unit (1 million cases annually), utilizing the latest demand forecast.

• Analyzed production plan adherence, maintained demand and supply-related reports for the relevant business units, and developed critical reports like Days Cover and Non-Availability Analysis.

• Served as the first point of contact for demand and supply inquiries.

National Demand Planner

Tiger Brands Ltd

2001 - 2001

South Africa

• Executed monthly updates to the 24-month rolling national sales forecast for the Culinary Division.

• Analyzed sales history, trends, seasonality factors and promotional or advertising events that could affect the expected sales volume, ensuring the alignment of projections with dynamic market conditions.

• Led the monthly forecast meetings, fostering collaborative discussions and data-driven adjustments.

• Maintained ongoing communication with manufacturing business units, ensuring optimal stock availability aligned with both forecasted projections and current demand trends.

• Played a pivotal role in Oracle report writing and conducted training sessions, empowering users to independently generate reports.

• Additionally, managed commission payments to Agents.

Project Assistant

Tiger Brands Ltd

2000 - 2000

South Africa

• Spearheaded the design and implementation of ad hoc system requests and report development for corporate office departments, including Commercial, Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain, enhancing operational efficiency.

• Designed, implemented, and maintained an electronic deal sheet system, replacing the manual, handwritten deal sheets and streamlining processes for Customer Account Managers, Sales Assistants, and outsourced Sales Agents.

• Developed and executed Sales Performance Review Reports for Key Accounts on Sales Analyzer, providing valuable insights for Customer Account Managers.

• Actively contributed to price increase procedures and the establishment of new product price lists within the organization.

• Simultaneously fulfilled a dual role as Personal Assistant to the Manufacturing Director and Commercial Services Manager, concurrently overseeing general office administration for the Commercial Services Department in addition to analytical responsibilities.

Secretary | Project Assistant | Contract Work

Tiger Brands Ltd

1999 - 2000

• Served as a contracted Personal Assistant to two Key Account Managers, demonstrating efficiency in task management and contributing to the seamless operation of the department.

• As a contracted Project Assistant, assisted the Commercial Services department with ad hoc projects. Subsequent permanent employment in Mar 2000.

Executive Assistant to the General Sales Manager

Coca-Cola Bottler East London (Pty) Ltd

1999 - 1999

South Africa

• Provided comprehensive administrative support to the General Sales Manager, East London, by producing monthly Sales Management reports and assisting in various responsibilities such as staff coordination, interdepartmental communication, and customer liaison.

• Executed detailed daily, monthly, and annual product sales analysis, including the calculation and monitoring of monthly targets for a team of 4 Area Sales Managers and 17 Sales Representatives, enhancing data-driven decision-making and performance assessment.

• Managed the calculation of monthly commissions for all Sales Representatives, offering essential information to the Salary department.

• Assisted in the preparation of the annual budget for product sales and Sales Department expenses, actively monitoring and reporting on cost center expenses versus budget to ensure accountability and alignment.

• Offered IT support to department staff and handled general office administration tasks, including stationery orders, invoice preparation, and attendance registers.

• Managed pre-printed stationery orders for Sales and Marketing Departments and compiled "Trade Visit Booklets" for Directors' visits to the Bottler and East London Trade.

Corporate IT Admin Controller / IT Equipment Buyer / Executive Assistant

Irvin & Johnson Limited

1995 - 1997

South Africa

• Managed office administration for the Corporate IT department, concurrently executing cost control for a R21 million budget dedicated to a SAP implementation project, encompassing national network infrastructure, and hardware and software upgrades.

• Served as an IT Equipment Buyer.

• Commenced my tenure with I&J as an Executive Assistant to the IT Manager.