Job DescriptionDemand Planner- Africa About AbbottAbbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You will have access to:Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of .A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.The Opportunity This position works out of our Johannesburg offices, South Africa in the Abbott Molecular Division (AMD ) . In AMD, we focus on molecular diagnostics and the analysis of DNA, RNA, and proteins at the molecular level and are committed to are committed to advancing molecular testing solutions that guide life’s most profound decisions.As the Demand Planner, you will be responsible for the short and mid-term demand planning and driving the operational excellence in demand.What You’ll Do Demand Planning: own the demand forecast process, consolidate the country demand forecasts in sales and units and develop a realistic demand plan for Africa. Anticipate when to act and provide supporting detail to reach consensus on the demand forecast, identify and articulate issues and decisions that need to be addressed in the IBP meeting. Challenge forecast assumptions, ensure the demand forecast is integrated into and synchronized with the financial plans, continuously monitor variables affecting demand, collect and report rationale for variances and deviations to target.Takes accountability and ownership of the Sync Chart process for Africa Liaising with Delkenheim and Des Plaines for Direct ShipmentForecasting Accuracy: drive accountability for demand forecast accuracy in the region through KPI reporting and feedback to process participants.IBP Process: Aligns with Managing Director and Commercial Excellence on the Integrated business planning {IBP) process with senior management and cross-functional teams across Africa through monthly Demand Review meetings.Overseeing processes in delivery of the month/ quarter: analyze the demand for the month/ quarter and work closely with Supply Chain team, Head of Commercial Excellence and Managing Director to ensure sales commitments can be met. Creates and manages area or country product/shipment allocations during times of short supply.New product launches support the development of new product launches and retirements plansCommunication: support management team in demand planning and forecasting accuracy improvements, develop and maintain communication links between finance, marketing, sales, and commercial excellence to ensure proper execution of the forecastKPI management: develop, maintain, and constantly improve processes and performance measures for AfricaFunder Demand: Attend all funder calls and provides input on all demand related questionsFunder Demand: Ensure that Abbotts demand aligns with funder contracts ensuring Africa is always within the OTIF, KPI stipulated by funders in their SLAWeekly reporting on Demand for region Africa and ensuring no stock out in any countryDevelops and implements programs to help the field be more efficient and allow sales team to be more time in front of customersAfrica Growth Charts / KPI tracking reports on monthly basisWork through the Synch chart on monthly basis to ensure the supply can cater for Other Africa needsManage the stock assignment with SNR Commercial Analyst, EMEA and Head of  Commercial to get the needed stock requirement in-route to South-AfricaEnsure Stock recons Understand customer expectations on KPI's, provide visibility to their scorecards internally and deliver on customers' KPI expectations wrt demandCollaborates with key stakeholders and those who influence service performance; including Commercial teams, Supply Planning, freight, and warehousing service providers to address ways to improve customer satisfactionBack Order management – and ongoing feedback to sales teamRequired QualificationsUniversity Degree in Supply Chain and or logistics, or equivalent business experiencePreferred experience: 4 years experience in a Snr Demand planning roleExcellent MS Office skills, especially Excel and Power PointStrong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to communicate across all organizational levels, confident presenting to senior managementEnjoy working independently in an agile business environmentOffice basedAccountability and Ownership of Demand Process     Long-term, strategic focus on global account relationship in terms of demand planning: Chemonics, Global Fund, UNDP, UNICEFTravel up to 30%Fluent in EnglishApply NowFollow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.#J-18808-Ljbffr