Business Planner

Adhesive Technologies Logistics / Supply Chain South Africa, Johannesburg-Bedfordview, Gauteng Full Time Regular
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About this Position

The key purpose of the role is to act as a local demand planner for Industrial South Africa who works closely together with local marketing and sales functions to ensure demand planning processes are well established and consolidated in the country.

The role-holder would be able to independently handle interactions with several cross-functional stakeholders and deliver a clear and accurate Business Plan. 

What you´ll do

  • Forecasting & S&OP Process:
  • Owns and ensures high-quality demand plans by integrating market insights from Sales and Marketing
  • Led the monthly S&OP cycle (Demand, Supply, Executive), driving cross-functional alignment and timely decision-making
  • Actively participated in S&OE meetings to ensure short-term execution alignment
  • Develops, enriches, and finalizes mid and long-term demand forecasts using statistical baselines and market intelligence
  • Identifies future events, promotions, product launches, and market changes impacting demand
  • Continuously improves forecast accuracy through analysis and root-cause reviews
  • Establishes clear demand communication processes across local & regional stakeholders
  • Actively challenges commercial assumptions to balance growth ambition with supply and inventory realities
  • Coaches and upskills local sales teams on demand planning and forecasting discipline.
  • Collaborates with Supply Planning to optimize inventory, production planning, inter-market supply, and third-party sourcing
  • Manages and maintains product lifecycle data (new products, replacements, phase-outs)
  • Drives inventory performance, including inventory days on hand and slow-mover reduction
  • Owned and drove slow-mover and scrap reduction initiatives through structured monthly review meetings
  • Closely collaborate with sales team to educate customers on the forecasting process to improve demand reliability
  • Led cross-functional task forces and crisis meetings to resolve supply and demand disruptions and ensure business continuity
  • Escalates demand–supply gaps with clear scenarios and recommendations for management decisions

  • Monitors and reports key KPIs (forecast accuracy, Bias, portfolio optimization, inventory levels, premium freight, OSMI, Scrap)
  • Aligns with Finance, Sales, Marketing, Purchasing, Production, and regional teams to ensure S&OP effectiveness
  • Analyses demand and supply trends to propose improvements in service, cost, and inventory performance
  • Analyse specific country challenges (large distance, long lead time, air freight profile, etc.) and create contingency scenarios and right stock management 

What makes you a good fit

  • Exceptional S&OP knowledge
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management
  • Minimum matric qualification 

Some perks of joining Henkel

  • Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid work model, and work from anywhere policy for up to 30 days per year
  • Diverse national and international growth opportunities
  • Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
  • Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
  • Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
  • Annual 1 month bonus
  • 66.67% company contribution to Medical Aid
  • Subsidised canteen
  • Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programmes

At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We look for a diverse team of individuals who possess different backgrounds, experiences, personalities and mindsets.

JOB ID: req82461

Job Locations: South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg-Bedfordview

Contact information for application-related questions: recruitment.ssa@henkel.com

Please do not use this email address for sending your application or CV. To apply, please click on the "Apply for this role" button below. Applications sent via e-mail will not be accepted.

Application Deadline: As long as the vacancy is listed on our Career Site, we are happy to receive your application

Job-Center: If you have an application already, you can create or log in to your account here to check the status of your application. In case of new account creation, please use your email address that you applied with.

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How is work at Henkel

Acerca de Henkel

Con un legado sólido de cerca de 150 años, estamos liderando el camino para reimaginar y mejorar la vida hoy, así como para las generaciones futuras, a través de nuestras marcas y tecnologías innovadoras y sustentables, en nuestros equipos de todo el mundo. Henkel ocupa posiciones de liderazgo en los negocios industriales y de consumo: nuestro portafolio incluye reconocidos productos para el cuidado del cabello, detergentes para la ropa, suavizantes de telas, así como adhesivos, selladores y recubrimientos funcionales. 

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FAQ

Sí, solo debes completar tu perfil en nuestro sistema de solicitud en línea y una vez completo, puedes aplicar a varios puestos. 

Sí, por favor. Henkel es una compañía internacional en la que estarás trabajando con personas de todo el mundo y el inglés es el idioma oficial de la compañía. Como norma general, escribe la solicitud en el mismo idioma en el que está escrita la oferta de empleo.  

Cada vacante que abrimos en Henkel es única y encontrar a la persona adecuada es importante tanto para el candidato contratado como para Henkel. Queremos asegurarnos de que tanto el candidato como la compañía, son una buena opción el uno para el otro. Durante todo el proceso proporcionamos un feedback a los candidatos.

Sí, de hecho es una expectativa de Henkel que nuestro personal sea flexible y pueda cambiar de residencia. Esto ayuda a respaldar a la empresa a un nivel más amplio y global.
Nuestra filosofía “Triple two” promueve esta idea permitiendo que trabajes en al menos dos puestos, en dos áreas de negocio distintas y en dos países diferentes. El motivo detrás de esta filosofía es que trabajar en distintos puestos, en distintas unidades de negocio y con diferentes funciones es bueno para el desarrollo de nuestro personal y mejora la idea de Henkel como empresa global.

Aquí encontrarás más información sobre nuestros programas de capacitación.

Nuestro equipo de reclutamiento te ayudará con todo lo relacionado con tu solicitud. Contacta con el equipo aquí.