Demand Planner, ESA

DEMAND PLANNER, EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA Department: Operations Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time Location: Nairobi, Kenya ABOUT THE ROLE Sun King is seeking a detail-oriented Demand Planner to lead inventory optimization and supply chain efficiency across East and Southern Africa. In this pivotal operations role, you will develop accurate demand forecasts and coordinate cross-functional planning processes spanning approximately seven markets. Your work will directly impact the management of roughly $770 million in annual procurement volume across diverse product categories including smartphones, televisions, and solar energy solutions. You will partner with procurement, operations, sales, marketing, finance, commercial, and global supply planning teams to ensure market demand aligns seamlessly with inventory levels and operational capabilities across the region. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Demand Forecasting and Planning You will collaborate with key stakeholders to create and maintain short, medium, and long-term demand forecasts tailored to ESA market conditions. Your analysis will incorporate historical sales trends, seasonal patterns, market intelligence, promotional activities, and customer insights to continuously refine forecast accuracy. You will facilitate monthly demand review meetings, monitor forecast performance metrics, and manage planning inputs for new product launches, discontinuations, and promotional initiatives. Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning As part of the regional Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning process, you will deliver demand projections targeting 85% or greater forecast accuracy. Working closely with global supply planning and procurement teams, you will align supply availability with market demand while striving toward zero stock-outs across all markets. You will identify demand gaps, supply risks, and inventory vulnerabilities, then recommend concrete mitigation strategies. Market and Business Insights You will analyze sales performance, inventory trends, and demand patterns across ESA markets while tracking essential KPIs such as forecast accuracy, service levels, inventory turns, working capital optimization, and revenue impacts from inventory shortfalls. Your insights will inform recommendations on working capital trade-offs and supply chain health reporting to management regarding ordering frequency, safety stock parameters, and cash flow requirements. Management, Systems and Process Improvements You will strengthen alignment between commercial plans and demand forecasts by working closely with Sales, Marketing, Commercial Finance, and Country Sales and Operations Managers. Coordination with local procurement teams on lead times and advance communication of business needs will help prevent supply chain bottlenecks. You will maintain accurate data in ERP and forecasting systems, communicate demand risks and assumptions effectively to stakeholders, drive continuous improvement in forecasting tools and planning processes, and contribute to automation and digital transformation initiatives within supply chain planning. WHAT YOU BRING Educational Background You hold a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, Statistics, Economics, or a related discipline. Professional Experience You bring a minimum of five years of continuous experience in regional demand planning, supply chain planning, forecasting, or commercial planning. You have successfully managed multiple markets within Africa, with experience in ESA being particularly valuable. Your background in FMCG, consumer goods, renewable energy, retail, manufacturing, or distribution sectors is preferred. Core Competencies Your advanced Excel proficiency combined with strong quantitative and numerical skills enable you to interpret complex data effectively. You have hands-on experience with ERP and planning systems such as SAP, IBP, or Oracle. Your knowledge of regional trade dynamics and supply chain considerations within Africa provides valuable context for your planning decisions. You demonstrate strong quantitative evaluation and problem-solving capabilities, commercial and business acumen, and excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. You work effectively across diverse cultures and maintain high attention to detail and accuracy. You thrive in fast-paced matrix environments and possess the flexibility to travel within ESA markets as required. WHY JOIN SUN KING Sun King offers professional growth within a dynamic, rapidly expanding industry creating high social impact. You will be part of an open-minded, collaborative culture composed of enthusiastic colleagues driven by innovation challenges and their commitment to profound planetary and human impact. A truly multicultural experience awaits as you work with and learn from people across different geographies, nationalities, and backgrounds. Structured, tailored learning and development programs through the Sun Center for Leadership will support your growth as a leader, manager, and professional. Sun King is committed to sustaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where innovation thrives through spectrum-wide diversity. Recruitment, employment, training, compensation, and promotion decisions are based solely on experience, skills, effort, and results. Sun King explicitly prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, caste, national origin, color, gender, marital status, family structure, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, or disability.