Operations and Planning Manager | Al Futtaim Automotive | Trading Enterprises

Overview of the role:

• The purpose of the role is to manage the planning of Passenger Vehicle supply and demand of Honda in the UAE and International Markets. The Operations and Planning Manager is accountable for Demand Management, Sales Planning, Sales Operations whether to Retail, Corporate or Fleet customers. Responsible for the key functions of annual sales plan and demand order plan. Develop demand and sales forecasts at multiple levels across distribution channels. Improve the stock turnover by reducing the risk of excess and Obsolete stock. OEM and internal liaison, reporting and forecasting. Campaign management and vehicle life cycle support.

What you will do:

• Sales Planning strategy that delivers brand market share and profitability targets.
• Using best available data to forecast market and segment model mix volume and using the information to establish appropriate budget/forecast assumptions for sales and stock planning.
• Carflow management to ensure healthy balance sheet position and cash mgt. with efficient stock, from Factory order to final Customer Delivery, by influencing OEM, Suppliers, Group Value Chain teams (such as PDI, F&I) for UAE and International Markets.
• The development of the annual and quarterly sales and demand plan with the detail by models and channels.
• Prepare forecast data and evaluate forecast results.
• Review sales and demand plan monthly with each distribution channels. Review and assess risk to supply and demand variability and identify opportunities to manage and mitigate risk.
• Lead continuous improvement of forecast accuracy and bias by implementing best practice.
• Develop and measure key performance indicators to track and evaluate forecast made, to assist in assessing the effectiveness of the demand planning and forecasting function.
• Interact with sales and marketing to understand forecast demand drivers.
• Regularly review stock levels and procedures to determine the appropriate level of stock required with considering future campaign activity and to place orders.
• Identify overstock and slow-moving vehicles and liaise with product manager and sales support manager to resolve issues.
• All ad hoc reporting, analysis, and presentation.
• Work closely with Product, Pricing, Sales Distribution channels to review sales, demand planning and performance, (with Brands, Principals, and relevant Center of Excellence).
• Report sales performance.
• Early identification of sales and demand issues and deviation of actuals from plan.
• Recommend sales and demand plan by month by model and by variant.
• Provide support and advice on sales strategy.
• Stock optimization.
• Review inventory policy and target service levels.
• Continuous monitoring of aged stock.
• Lifecycle management support.
• To provide data support with logistics to control the inbounds and clearing documents on time (and related requirements).
• Creating dashboards for monitoring of progress and process adherence.
• Perform Kaizen and projects to reduce operational costs.
• Taking necessary actions/advise for effective inventory control.

Skills

Required Skills to be successful:

1.- OEM experience in sales, operations, and demand planning.

2.- Strong expertise in data analytics. 

3.- Experience in reporting and forecasting for multiple brands.

4.- Experience in driving commercial results.

About the Team:

• Reporting to the Managing Director and will work closely with internal and external stakeholders. 

What equips you for the role:

• Bachelor’s Degree (MBA / MSC Preferred). 
• 5 years’ work experience in a multinational Sales and Marketing environment in leading Automotive brands.
• Experience in sales planning and demand order plan.
• Extensive knowledge of inventory management systems and supply chain modules in other ERP system.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word/ Excel/ PowerPoint/ MS Projects) Power BI.