Planning Manager
AI Summary
The Manager – Planning will be responsible for driving end-to-end planning excellence across inventory, demand, supply, and production functions. The role demands a data-driven professional who can translate forecast insights into actionable plans, optimize stock levels, and ensure seamless product availability across channels — supporting the organization's growth objectives in a dynamic eyewear market.
About this role
The Manager – Planning will be responsible for driving end-to-end planning excellence across inventory, demand, supply, and production functions. The role demands a data-driven professional who can translate forecast insights into actionable plans, optimize stock levels, and ensure seamless product availability across channels — supporting the organization's growth objectives in a dynamic eyewear market.
Requirements
Responsibilities:
Inventory Planning
Develop and maintain optimal inventory levels across all SKUs — frames, lenses, accessories, and spare parts.
Define and monitor inventory norms including safety stock, reorder points, and maximum stock levels.
Conduct regular inventory health assessments and initiate corrective actions for slow-moving or ageing stock.
2. Demand Planning
Develop short, medium, and long-term demand forecasts using statistical models and market intelligence.
Collaborate with sales, marketing, and merchandising teams to incorporate promotional plans, new launches, and seasonal trends into forecasts.
Conduct SKU-level demand analysis to identify growth opportunities and rationalize underperforming products.
Facilitate monthly Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) reviews with cross-functional stakeholders.
3. Supply Planning
Translate demand plans into supply requirements and coordinate with procurement and vendor teams to ensure timely material availability.
Manage supplier lead times, capacity constraints, and order schedules to maintain uninterrupted supply flow.
Monitor and resolve supply gaps, escalating critical shortfalls to leadership with mitigation plans.
Evaluate alternate sourcing options and maintain vendor performance scorecards.
Drive supply chain risk assessments and build contingency plans for critical material categories.
4. Production Planning
Develop and maintain the Master Production Schedule (MPS) aligned with demand forecasts and capacity availability.
Coordinate with manufacturing teams to schedule production runs.
Monitor production adherence to schedule and initiate corrective actions to address deviations.
5. Inventory Replenishment
Design and execute replenishment strategies for retail outlets, warehouses, and e-commerce fulfilment centres.
Monitor replenishment triggers and automate order generation through ERP/planning tools wherever feasible.
Optimize replenishment frequency and order quantities to minimize carrying costs while maintaining service levels.
Track On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) metrics and take proactive actions to prevent stockouts or overstocking.
Collaborate with logistics and warehouse teams to ensure smooth inbound and outbound replenishment flows.