Regional Demand Planner | Full-Time

For over 35 years, Aesop has carefully cultivated an inspiring and inclusive environment in which our employees are supported and encouraged to thrive. As a global retail organization, we offer professional development and advancement opportunities to complement career goals and aspirations.

Our approach to skin care involves meticulous attention to detail, using only the most efficacious ingredients to create formulations which stir the self and senses. The same meticulous approach is taken during our recruitment process, seeking out considered and inspired individuals with a wealth of perspectives who bring out the best in themselves and others.

We aim to strike the right balance between people, planet and profit, actively reducing our footprint on the planet that generously sustains us. So far, this journey has led us to become a certified B Corp. We are committed to building a more sustainable and inclusive society.

Role Purpose

The Regional Demand Planner will partner on managing the overall demand plan for the region, which includes forecasting at a SKU x channel x month x DC level. This demand plan will feed into the S&OP process to be consolidated, reviewed, and signed off by the regional management team. Once signed off, this will feed into the global demand plan which will then drive the rest of supply chain. They will also chair the local sales sign off S&OP meetings in region and will have the ability to guide and influence decision making for the region. This position will have a Junior Planner reporting into this role who will help with more tactical and operational tasks within the function.

The objective of the role is to deliver best in class demand planning to ensure forecast accuracy, forecast Bias, financial alignment, and to drive the S&OP process in region effectively through identifying trends, risks, and opportunities. This requires alignment of an 18-month rolling Regional Demand Plan in collaboration with diverse stakeholder groups across Marketing, Visual merchandising, Merchandise planning, Finance, Retail Operations, and other functions. This will include forecasting for new products, marketing campaigns, product transitions and lifecycle changes. Analytical capabilities with high business acumen are required to be able to convert complex problems to actionable solutions. This will also require diligent action/task follow-ups and prioritizations to keep in line with local and regional monthly calendars.

This position will report into the Head of Supply Chain, Americas and with a dotted line reporting to Global Demand Manager.

Role Responsibilities Include - But Not Limited To

Demand Planning

• Monitors weekly demand consumptions and contributes to Weekly Tactical Demand and Supply Review in region to ensure demand is prioritized in case of stock constraints
• New product forecast revisions and validations as the new product process moves through different milestones from inception to execution
• Systematically collaborates with regional teams to ensure the forecasts accurately reflects impact such as pull and push factors from
• In collaboration with logistics, communicates stock constraints and Demand Prioritization to relevant Key stake holders
• Communicates Risks/Opportunities to the Demand plan and tracks the initiatives
• Manages all Demand related activities in Futurmaster such as Supersessions, deletions, history cleansing, exception reporting parameters, statistical forecast review, revisions to Key Customers
• Documents and monitors action plans from the Regional Demand S&OP meeting, ensures Demand Planning activities are undertaken in line with global standards and manages escalation process for changes to forecast inside lead time
• Reviews and understands gaps between forecast and budget and communicates these with key stakeholders (This is a long-term goal)
• Documents Assumptions behind any revisions to the Demand Plan to support Global S&OP/IBP process
• Facilitates all local Demand related meetings as well as the Regional Demand S&OP meeting (monthly with Country Managers and Global Demand Planning Manager)
• Responsible for facilitating the monthly Regional Demand Review process and ensure FuturMaster reflects the latest regional Demand Plan for both baseline statistical forecasts and Scheduled Demand for the next 18-month period
• Specific focus on New product forecasting with performing forecasting by facilitating discussions on New products to be introduced within a rolling 24 month cycle. This will include aligning on assumptions, benchmarking against similar products, assigning campaign factors for launch campaign and cannibalization of existing products due to the launch.

What We Are Looking For

• Advanced analytical skills, should have the ability to evaluate, analyse and present data
• Experience working in ERP systems is preferred
• Expert level knowledge in Power BI, Tableau, Excel a positive
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in a demand planning/forecasting/supply chain planning role
• Excellent communication skills - the ability to understand your audience and tailor your communication accordingly
• Experience with S&OP a necessity, IBP experience preferred
• Ability to build effective and influential relationships in a cross-functional team environment
• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or other relevant fields.
• Cosmetics, FMCG, Retail experience a plus
• Cross functional collaboration skills with Marketing, Finance, Sales and operations teams
• Attention to detail and ability to switch from Strategic to Operational scope as required
• Advanced analytic capability with a strong mathematical and statistical knowledge
• Experience with different planning systems

What's On Offer

The annual salary range for this position is $85,000-93,000

We take a holistic approach to employment, promoting professional development, career growth, employee wellbeing initiatives and encouraging deep connections with the local community through the Aesop Foundation, volunteering and matched giving programs. 

We take a holistic approach to employment, promoting professional development, career growth, employee wellbeing initiatives and encouraging deep connections with the local community through the Aesop Foundation, volunteering and matched giving programs. 

Employee Benefits Include

• Suite of options to aid development, including complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning, in-house Product and Core skills training and study support opportunities
• Paid volunteering allowance for all employees
• Generous product discount allowance and bi-annual complimentary product allocation
• Bonus opportunity based on personal, and business, performance
• Access to employee assistance programs, complimentary subscription to Headspace mindfulness app and summer hours options.
• Flexible, hybrid working pattern

Aesop is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the very best people by offering a creative and inclusive workplace where talent is truly recognized and rewarded. We are committed to promoting inclusion for all with the belief that diversity, inclusion and belonging plays an important role in the success of our organization. We actively encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of our journey.