Category Master Planner

[Please note this is a Direct Search led by Bacardi, Applications from agencies will not be accepted nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.]

WHAT DO A CATEGORY PLANNER DO?

Owner of production & network supply plans for their categories, the Category Master Planner partners with Regional Supply teams, markets & global brand teams to translate distribution requirements into realistic production plans, optimising for service, cost & cash.

As the key interface for the supply centre to markets/regions, the Category Master Planner ensures robust & aligned plans are in place.

Collaborating closely with a wide range of stakeholders across local, regional & global functions, this role requires an individual adept at building relationships, strong communication skills & comfortable in providing meaningful, constructive challenge.

Technical skills are also key to success, proficient in using planning systems & analysis of big data. The role will give the successful candidate wide ranging supply chain exposure & will place them in an ideal position to take advantage of the career opportunities available in Bacardi.

A high degree of flexibility is required, to ensure timely responses to changing situations, providing data driven insights & ensuring effective decision making.

Production & Supply Planning – Mid Term (S&OE) & Long Term (S&OP)

• Translate distribution requirements to achievable production plans
• Assess capacity constraints across sites
• Develop production sequence and monitor feasibility
• Make informed Data-Driven Decisions to optimise service, cost & cash
• Partner with regional supply teams to align interregional flows with demand and capacity
• Model interregional flows and optimise network
• Acquire medium and long-term demand forecasts for all FG inventory consuming events and control the translation of those forecasts into a network supply plan by collaborating with cross-functional partners
• Manage allocations with regional supply teams, optimising total network & handling known constraints in line with business strategy
• Ensure transparency & clarity of volumes with associated assumptions, ensuring alignment of key stakeholders within categories
• Lead & influence internal stakeholders to deliver service & cost performance that will support successful delivery of these strategies
• Provide analysis & facilitate actions, to optimise capacity, labour, inventory (incl. obsolete & slow-moving) & supplier requirements
• Support & enable the Long-Term Demand Planning process, for categories under your responsibility

Digital & Analytical Tools for Planning Optimization

• Work with markets & regions to ensure robust planning master data, in relation to replenishment signals
• Key aim to optimise inventory across the global Bacardi network
• Guardian of SAP set-up, ensuring the perfect Heuristic Signal with all regional supply teams
• Leverage digital & analytical tools to refine planning models, improve Replenishment accuracy & drive efficient decision‑making

Product Lifecycle Management & Portfolio Optimisation

• Production planning regarding Product Lifecycle Management & SKU optimisation with NPD & marketing teams
• Key planning representative for finished goods NPD projects, within assigned category/categories
• Ensuring timely planning & decision making, to achieve successful product launches in collaboration with innovation team
• Monitor execution of aligned plans, including depletion plans to limit write off exposure
• Be a custodian of plant SKU master data, to ensure effective management of products
• Experienced in End-to-End Planning & S&OP within an FMCG company is required
• Strong proactive communicator; capable of delivering concise, clear messaging to influence & drive key business decisions
• Self starter with a strong sense of urgency
• Strong at building relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Customer Service “Consumer At The Heart” of everything you do with a passion for delivering service and results
• Quick to identify trends, interpret data & can easily draw conclusions from the reported data; Capable of drawing out meaningful, actionable insights to share & influence stakeholders that will help drive business decisions
• Sound operational, commercial & financial awareness & understands the meaning & implications of the data results for the business
• Technically proficient with strong analytic competence; Expert Microsoft Excel, SAP ECC system; Power BI is a plus
• Data driven skills & mindset to problem solving
• Strong organisational and planning skills

LEADERSHIP AGILITY

• Belonging: You have a strong capacity t