Head of Demand Planning

Orkla Confectionery & Snacks

Orkla Confectionery & Snacks (OCS) is a dominant snack company located in the Nordics and Baltics, operating across seven markets with a proud annual turnover of around 7.5 billion NOK. Our company comprises over 3,000 dedicated people, bound by a passion for nurturing our portfolio of cherished brands like KiMs, Nidar, Stratos, Sætre, Göteborgs Kex, OLW, Panda, Laima, Selga, Taffel, Kalev, Nói Síríus, and many more. At our core, we are more than just snacks; in OCS we are creating moments of happiness, powered by a network of 13 specialized factories with a commitment to excellence and sustainability. OCS is an Orkla ASA portfolio company (PortCo).

As an independent PortCo with its own board and management structure, OCS is evolving. Our future organization will focus on three categories: Confectionery, Snacks, and Biscuits. This structure aims to enhance cost efficiency, harmonization, and investment in our brands, factories, and expertise.

About the role

OCS is seeking a Head of Demand Planning to join our team. In this vital role, you will oversee the entire Demand Planning process, managing a team of Demand Planners in each Business Unit (BU) and reporting directly to the Planning & Logistics Director. As a key member of the OCS Planning & Logistics Management Team, you will lead the Demand Review process within S&OP.

You will create and optimize forecasts to accurately project future sales while ensuring effective collaboration across cross-functional teams and maintaining a standardized Demand Review process. Your responsibilities include identifying process improvement opportunities, developing best practices, and monitoring performance metrics and KPIs. You will present insightful reports and recommendations to management while fostering a high-performing, collaborative team culture. By working closely with our executive team, category sales, marketing teams, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) departments, you will ensure that our sales forecasts align with overall business objectives. The role is preferably located in Stockholm but we are also open for candidates to be located in Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki, Tallinn, Copenhagen or Riga.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Demand Forecast Planning strategies and ensure alignment across stakeholders.
• Build Demand Planning capabilities and monitor performance gaps.
• Lead cross-functional teams to maintain the Demand Review process and ensure standardization among Demand Planners.
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and finance teams, and other planning functions.
• Prepare and present reports, forecasts, and recommendations to management.
• Identify process improvement opportunities to enhance Demand Planning and S&OP processes.
• Monitor performance metrics and KPIs, establishing best practices and policies.
• Build, develop, and retain a strong team, driving a collaborative organizational culture.

Who are you?

The ideal candidate will demonstrate key personal abilities such as defining direction, resilience, relationship building, and managing change. A strong capacity for collaboration with various functions and Business Units is essential, reflecting a cooperative and open mindset. Robust analytical skills and financial acumen are crucial, along with proficiency in data analysis to leverage data-driven insights effectively. Excellent communication skills are necessary for articulating insights, rationale, and plans across critical functions and management teams. Additionally, the candidate should be adaptable and capable of managing pressure and setbacks.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Supply Chain or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Operational Demand Planning & Management.
• Strong knowledge of supply chain, logistics, business, and finance.
• Extensive experience in leading planning teams and defining processes.
• Proficiency in Office package, ERP systems, and Supply Chain Planning tools.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; proficiency in local OCS languages is a plus.
• Experience in a multinational environment and matrix responsibilities is an advantage.