Business Planning Lead APAC Vegetables

Role purpose

Demand planning / management & forecasting

• To directly manage the Territory/CU demand planning team and drive forecasting and demand planning best practice across all Territories within the Region
• To lead the deployment of the forecasting and demand planning / management processes and capabilities within the Region, in line with the global target operating model and agreed ways of working, and lead associated change management initiatives
• To establish and maintain a robust and efficient regional S&OP decision making platform, in line with global guidelines (joint accountability with Regional Supply Operations)
• To report and monitor defined regional demand planning / forecasting KPIs and metrics, and proactively recommend and drive improvement initiatives
• To actively support the Commercial and marketing teams in developing and signing off robust regional 5-year demand plans, in line with the global calendar
• To facilitate and support relevant demand / forecasting and S&OP platform activities, providing analytical support to guide decision-making and securing timely input to the global S&OP platform

Price and SKU management

• To lead the operational execution of the regional PMin process, incl. ensuring commercial price execution within regional PMin guidelines and a structured exception management process
• To manage of regional SKU range, within the established range hurdles, and oversee a structured phase-in / phase-out process

Accountabilities

Forecast and demand plan development: Monthly (Current Year) and Annual (5 Year)

• Lead the monthly regional demand review process
• Support the annual regional pre-SPP demand review process
• Assist in development of local replenishment strategies and objectives including customer service objectives, inventory targets and make recommendations for the global demand safety stock
• Support the setup and maintenance of local forecast alerts to monitor forecast consumption, drive alignment to agreed process and address main deviations
• Facilitate the annual review of exception management rules for respective Region (i.e. out of cycle changes, unforecasted demand etc)

Forecasting KPIs

• Roll out and drive regionally forecast accuracy and demand reliability metrics and reports, in line with global policy
• Track and measure performance against forecasting KPI`s, including action plans for improvement

Range Management

• To facilitate and support the incorporation of range management decisions (variety phase-in & phase-out, tail management) into the demand plan and the implication on associated SKUs; track and monitor through Regional S&OP process as required
• To establish and lead the regional operational SKU management process in line with commercial, marketing and supply guidance
• To lead the annual product segmentation process for the Region

Price management

• To facilitate the implementation and operational management of the regional PMIN process for all commercial varieties and SKUs, including exception management as required

Process set up and implementation

• Represents the Region in relevant global platforms to contribute to global target process design for demand planning/management and S&OP, as well as regional PMin and SKU management
• Ensure that critical demand planning and pricing processes & tools are designed and function as efficiently as possible and proactively review any improvements with regional and global teams
• Together with regional Supply Operations, establish and maintain a robust regional S&OP decision making platform, in line with global S&OP target process
• Serve as technical expert in matters concerning forecasting tools, process and system integration with P&S, Finance etc.
• Kick off and lead regional process / system improvement initiatives, in line with regional requirements and global efforts
• Manage the interface with Regional Supply Operations, financial forecasting, budgeting and S&OP, and ensure alignment with the Global Demand Planning Manager and OU team
• Regularly refresh knowledge and train the regional portfolio and demand planning community on process, system, KPIs and business rules
• Facilitate Territory / CU forecasting process improvement initiatives

Syngenta Seeds is one of the world’s largest developers and producers of seed for farmers, commercial growers, retailers and small seed companies. Syngenta seeds improve the quality and yields of crops. High-quality seeds ensure better and more productive crops, which is why farmers invest in them. Advanced seeds help mitigate risks such as disease and drought and allow farmers to grow food using less land, less water and fewer inputs.

Syngenta Seeds brings farmers more vigorous, stronger, resistant plants, including innovative hybrid varieties and biotech crops that can thrive even in challenging growing conditions.

Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States.

Critical Experience (Experience/Previous Roles required for Job)

• Advanced skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Operate statistical analysis tools
• Excellent communication skills
• Advanced analytical skills
• Proven leadership ability

Critical Knowledge (Education/ Development expected for Job)​​​​​​​

• Bachelor Degree and/or Master, preferably in Business or Economics
• 3-5 years’ experience in a Demand Planning or Demand Management, Commercial Operations, Marketing or Supply Chain roles
• APICS accreditation
• ERP proficient knowledge
• Ability to deal with change and demonstrate problem solving
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines, multi-task and complete projects on time
• Knowledge of demand management/forecasting tools, forecasting processes