Demand Planner

Company Description

Minova is a global leader in ground support and geotechnical solutions for mining, tunneling, and surface ground engineering projects. Renowned for its high-quality products, technical expertise, and problem-solving capabilities, Minova has a 140-year heritage of delivering innovative solutions. The company is committed to supporting critical infrastructure projects with reliable and effective products. Minova values innovation and collaboration to consistently meet the needs of its customers worldwide.

Role Description

The Demand Planner at Minova Global will play a pivotal role in establishing and optimizing the company's demand planning function. The purpose of this role is to forecast product demand accurately, allowing the right supply strategies to optimize the inventory allocation, and support Minova's global operations in delivering innovative solutions to customers in safety-critical industries.

Objectives and Tasks

• Develop and implement a comprehensive demand planning framework, transitioning from Excel-based methods to advanced forecasting tools and processes.
• Achieve a 20-30% improvement in forecast accuracy within the first year through the introduction of statistical models and data analytics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align demand forecasts with production, procurement, and sales strategies, supporting Minova’s growth in dynamic markets.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for demand planning and regularly report on progress to senior leadership.
• Analyze historical sales data, market trends, and customer inputs to create baseline demand forecasts, starting with the migration of existing Excel data into structured models.
• Design and implement statistical forecasting methods (e.g., time series analysis, regression models) to replace manual processes, incorporating factors like seasonal mining cycles and project-based demand fluctuations.
• Work closely with sales, marketing, and operations teams to gather business intelligence and refine forecasts for Minova’s product portfolio.
• Conduct regular demand review meetings, presenting insights and scenarios to stakeholders to support decision-making in volatile industries like mining and tunnelling
• Track and report on forecast performance metrics, such as Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), and continuously improve processes based on feedback and data.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Statistics, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain analytics, preferably in manufacturing or industrial sectors.
• Proficiency in statistical forecasting techniques and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel advanced functions, SQL).
• Strong understanding of inventory management principles and supply chain dynamics.
• Experience building demand planning processes from scratch, including data cleansing, model development, and process documentation.
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets and translate them into actionable insights. 

Preferred Skills

• Master’s degree in a quantitative field or relevant certifications (e.g., APICS CPIM, IBF CPF).
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and demand planning software (e.g., SAP APO, Oracle Demantra, or similar).
• Experience in the mining, construction, or chemicals industry, with knowledge of project-based demand patterns.
• Advanced skills in data visualization tools for reporting and scenario planning.