Demand Planner

Job Description

Demand PlannerDo you have expertise in, and passion for Global Supply Chain (Operations) Would you like to apply your expertise in a company that follows the science and turns ideas into life changing medicines Then AstraZeneca might be the one for you!ABOUT ASTRAZENECAAstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world s most serious diseases. But we re more than one of the world s leading pharmaceutical companies.BUSINESS AREAGlobal Supply Chain (Operations)Be part of shaping the future of Operations here at AstraZeneca. Be part of shaping the next phase of Operations journey towards the 2025 strategy. Build on our foundations of high performance through agility, responsiveness, reliability and efficiency to deliver our new modalities and complex pipeline to market at speed. Backed by a supportive team, be part of accelerating our operational excellence with innovations in cutting-edge science, Lean ways of working and fast changing digital technologies.What you ll do

• The Demand Planner (DP) role sits within the Regional Demand Teams in GSC&S. The Demand Planner is a key role that acts as the operational point of contact between Operations and Commercial, and is the link between the Marketing Company (MC) and Supply Organisation for Supply and Market Intelligence. This role gives a great opportunity to work across 2 SET area (Operations & Commercial), in a dynamic region which is involved in facilitating access to patients with our exciting portfolio of new products. The Demand Planner works in close partnership with the aligned Market Company Account Manager (MCAM) for the relevant markets.
• The objective of this role is to include the use of analytical capabilities, demand and planning expertise, along with interactions with the Marketing Company and supply regions, to meet the market(s) needs within the executional planning horizon. There is a significant analytical aspect of this role in reviewing and challenging data and underlying assumptions to make recommendations. The Demand Planners are supporting the overall product portfolio management through the entire product cycle, from NPI to divestment / withdrawal.
• Also, as the Demand Planners sit within a regional team, there are many opportunities to work on initiatives / improvements across the region.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

• Be the single point of contact for all operational aspects of demand, with links into the Supply organisation.
• Demand Validation, verify demand volumes and ensure associated market intelligence is documented, working with MC commercial team. Active adoption of V4CAST to support the Demand validation and transition to statistical forecasting. Ensure that exceptional demand changes between Marketing Companies and Pack Sites are managed.
• Handle product supply issues in collaboration with Site, Global Logistics and Commercial Team.
• Escalate to the Marketing Company Account Manager where there are potential issues/gaps for resolution and widely through the TIER process where required.
• Forecast quality metrics review and monitoring of supply chain parameter settings etc
• Effectively leading or supporting in Market pre- S&OP, S&OP and IBP meetings (as appropriate for the market) e.g. KPI reporting and analysis.
• Ensure there is an effective and efficient communication flow to appropriate Operations channels to support Marketing Company execution of life cycle management.
• Involvement in new product introductions (NPIs), switches, divestments and acquisitions project teams.
• Manage customer managed inventory (CMI) orders. Ensure there is alignment with the global planning cycle and APO/SAP planning requirements for all CMI-supplied products into their respective markets.
• Drive and deliver improvements in market and across the region, and manage improvement projects.
• Support Global Projects/ Initiatives as a key contributor.
• Support potential stock out early detection and proper communication to local Health Authorities (where required).
• Apply the Lean principles and ways of working in daily activities.

Key customers

• Marketing Companies (marketing, commercial, regulatory, local distribution, finance, market access)
• Supply Sites
• Global Operations Launch Teams (GOLT)
• Global Logistics
• Project Managers / Teams
• Global Business Process Owners
• Demand Team

Detailed accountabilities:Demand Management

• Act as the day-to-day operational customer interface
• Key contributor in the Market pre-S&OP, S&OP and IBP (as appropriate for the market)
• Responsible for Demand Validation - a key part of the Monthly Global Demand Management Cycle. This to ensure that Operations receive the most accurate demand signal possible, helping to balance supply and demand by minimising the risk of stock outs and ensuring we are making resource planning decisions based on the organisations best information. Key input to the Global Planning Cycle, following standard deadlines, working day schedule.
• Monitoring of forecast vs sales in current month.
• Analysis of sales pattern / phasing and ensuring correct forecast split patterns are set in APO (sign off by MCAM).
• Alert Monitoring
• Approval and release in APO of ad hoc forecasts.
• Manage /analyse short term demand changes and events; ensure it is aligned with rules of engagements with the supply organisation. Identify where there is a concern and agree next steps with the MC.
• Overall control of VMI product flow, interaction with supplying sites in case of issues (where applicable)
• Master Data ensure APO planning system reflect true demand by management of i.e master data parameters, consumption settings, split pattern and past due demand elements.
• Meetings - attend/lead Execution Planning Meetings, Market Pre -S&OP, S&OP & IBP, Product S&OP and TIER meetings as appropriate.

CMI Planning - activities are dependent on the region / market, but can include the following:

• APO CMI Demand & Supply Planning including PO creation
• Master data review and update for CMI
• Planned unavailable stock (shelf life) management (past due and updates in APO)
• Pack change process support (up to order placement)
• Coverage Reports creation at least 1 a month
• Planned unavailable stock report run to identify risks (once a month)
• For Tail SKUs, submitting the Expediting form when required

Product Life CycleThe DP has a key role to support Local, Regional and Global Projects and Initiatives as a project lead/project member or contributor/expert. These can include:

• NPI (New Product Introduction) - Support first stock to Market, and ensure correct demand signals and required Master Data set up. Where applicable support early access programs.
• Product Discontinuation Support last stock to Market agreement, and ensure correct demand signals and required Master Data set up.
• Switches/ Supply Chain Change Support switch plan/implementation as project member or local project lead, ensure correct demand signals and required Master Data set up.
• Pack Change /Artwork Change - Support different types of pack changes i.e artwork (where required), ensure correct demand signals and required Master Data.
• Divestments/ Acquisitions - Support project, ensure correct demand signals and required Master Data set up.
• Support Local & Global Project & initiatives

Reporting / AnalyticsThe DP has a key role to Monitor, Analyse and Report - including improvement work - on:

• Stock Management (Proactive Planning tool) - stock outs, projected stock outs and projected low stocks alerts, including RCA and escalations (TIER) where appropriate
• Forecast Accuracy & Bias MAPE Management
• Monthly update of Global Launch Tracker (where required)
• Inventory Management
• Master Data Management
• Demand packs

Essential for the roleThe role is focused on communication, relationships and data analysis. Experience and strengths in these areas therefore would be beneficial.

• Experience and knowledge of Supply Chain planning methodology
• SAP systems knowledge, including APO
• Forecasting and demand statistical analysis
• Analytical and reporting skills, and data interpretation
• Effective stakeholder and customer management skills
• Confident communication skills, able to negotiate and influence positive outcomes
• Collaborative working skills, especially across cultures
• Experience in employing Lean tools to deliver improvements

Desirable for the role

• Statistical forecasting
• Data science (AI / ML) applications to forecast and demand analysis
• Commercial / MK experience
• APICs certification
• Project Management experience

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Keyskills :
life cyclesupply chain planninglean toolssupply planningproduct flowretailsales analysisapoproduct portfolio managementstock reportmaster datasocial medialean principleschange processsalessupply chain