Category Master Planner

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 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 key to success, including proficiency in planning systems and analysis of big data. The role will provide wide-ranging supply chain exposure and placement within Bacardi's career opportunities.

A high degree of flexibility is required to respond timely to changing situations, provide data‑driven insights, and ensure effective decision making.

RESPONSIBILITIES

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
• Production planning regarding Product Life‑Cycle 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

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• 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 for problem solving
• Strong organisational and planning skills

LEADERSHIP AGILITY

• Belonging: You have a strong capacity to create a culture of ‘Belonging’, where people feel appreciated for who they are, what they do, and who they can become
• Self‑Awareness: You have high levels of self‑awareness, are reflective and know yourself well, understanding both your own strengths and weaknesses and your impact on others
• People Agility: You bring a d