Job description Posted 08 February 2021

Demand & Forecasting Manager

12 months

Up to £260 per day via umbrella (negotiable)

Remote / Brentford

The Demand Forecasting Manager is responsible for developing a robust and un-biased sales forecast for all Rx therapies managed by the Customer Supply Chain Organisation, in this case specifically looking after the Spanish region. These demand plans will be used to maintain appropriate levels of inventory in the corresponding regions.

As a Manager, you will be responsible for driving improvements in forecast accuracy and improving performance in customer service and reductions in working capital. You will work, through a dotted reporting line, with the European Demand Forecasting Director, aligning with demand forecasting standards and targets, supporting the evolution and vision of demand forecasting for GSK. Additionally, you will act as the single point of contact for the franchises, ensuring we provide the right levels of service across the business.

This position will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to contribute to the development and transformation of the organisation. You will learn a variety of skills related to the Core Commercial Cycle and Supply Chain in general and will engage with the customer and commercial focused elements of GSK business in greater depth than many similar positions, developing a useful network and a broad range of relevant skills.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Operating the volume forecasting process within the Customer Supply Chain supporting the Core Commercial Cycle (CCC) for the full pharma portfolio

• Improving customer service levels, reducing working capital, and minimize stock write-offs.

• Generating a demand plan (including statistical forecast baselines) for a 43-month horizon, and leading the monthly Pre-Demand Review Meetings to make the necessary adjustments based on market intelligence

• Monitoring of demand forecasting KPIs within the Spanish market, driving improvements in accuracy, bias, working capital and customer service

• Ensuring that there is a comprehensive total volume forecast including New Product Introduction, competitor activity and tenders, enabling proper production planning, capacity of supply chain and suppliers to meet demand

• Developing demand scenario plans to support the stakeholders at market and regional levels to assess and act on business risks and opportunities

• Providing forecast inputs into the key CCC meetings, including Demand Review Meetings and EU Therapy DRM’s, feeding through to Supply Review and regional S&OP Meetings, and participates to one or more LOC/Therapy Demand Review Meetings representing Customer Supply Chain

• Promoting a ‘one number’ mindset to drive business decision-making and forecast transparency and functional accountability

• Contribution to the demand forecasting evolvement as defined by the strategy at regional and global level

• Contributing to strategic global and regional projects that will use demand forecasting as a lever to unlock further benefits in GSK's supply chain including Inventory Reduction, write off reduction, OTIF improvement etc.

About You:

This is a lynch-pin role, which will be required to represent markets in Tier 2/3 region on a global scale in Supply Chain decision making. As such, communication and influencing skills are essential. This will include networking with colleagues and external partners at a variety of levels, so a flexible approach to communication will go a long way, allow you to effectively work with and lead cross-functional teams as required. You will often work independently, proactively seeking opportunities to increase value through raising standards and championing best practice, so the capacity to work under your own initiative, planning and managing your own time effectively is important. More technically, you will need to be highly numerate, able to understand complicated information, solve problems, and communicate complex analytical issues in a clear and approachable way.

Required Qualifications and experience:

• Degree Qualified

• Practical experience in the Pharmaceutical industry

• Demonstrable experience of the Core Commercial Cycle

• Strong experience working with multi-functional teams, including particularly Sales, marketing and Finance

• Hands on experience of Demand Forecasting

• Strong knowledge of SAP APO

• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to lead cross functional teams

• Ability to communicate and influence at all levels of the organization

• Strong networking, planning and organisational skills with a demonstrated capability to manage complex projects with short timelines.

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English, and preferably fluency in one or more additional European languages.

Additional Skills:

• Qualified in a relevant discipline such as Demand Management, Logistics, Supply Management etc.

• Hands on experience managing strategic therapies, brands or markets

• Knowledge of digital systems and their application in Supply Chain