Demand Planner (Siqalo)

Closing Date 2026/09/18

Reference Number RCL260907-4

Company RCL Foods

Job Title Demand Planner (Siqalo)

Functions Supply Chain

Job Type Classification Permanent

Location - Town / City Westville

Location - Province KwaZulu-Natal

Location - Country South Africa

Job Description RCL FOODS is a deeply rooted South African food manufacturer that produces some of the country’s most-loved brands, including Yum Yum peanut butter, Nola mayonnaise, Ouma rusks, and Selati sugar, just to name a few. At the heart of our culture and strategy is our Purpose – WE GROW WHAT MATTERS – which reflects our belief in collectively doing that little more to create a positive impact that truly matters.

Visit our website: www.rclfoods.com

Siqalo Foods is on the hunt for a Demand Planner for their Spreads Division . The role will be based in Westville and will report into the Planning Manager .

The Demand Planner will be responsible for working as part of a cross-functional team (Customer, Marketing, Supply Planning and Commercial) to deliver the demand planning & forecasting process within Siqalo Foods Consumer.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant 3-year degree in BCom Economics or related Supply Chain Management.
• Diploma in SAPICS (CPIM).
• 3 years prior experience in demand planning, forecasting or Supply Chain Planning within an FMCG environment.
• Previous experience on a planning tool.

Knowledge

• Statistical modelling and forecasting.
• Demand planning principles.
• Forecast Value Add (FVA).
• Forecast bias and accuracy management.
• Scenario planning and risk management.
• Promotional and event forecasting.
• New Product Development (NPD) forecasting.
• S&OP.
• FMCG customer and market dynamics.
• Supply chain and inventory management principles.
• Siqalo Foods Consumer business processes and products.
• Supply chain principles and practices.
• Multiple key performance indicators, inter-relationships and bottom-line sensitivity.

Duties & Responsibilities Strategic Planning

• Execute forward demand planning (rolling 24 months) in line with management requirements.

Sales Analysis

• Analyse weekly and monthly sales trends to generate demand plans, provide recommendations, and drive continuous improvement through cross-functional alignment on base and event forecasts.

Base Demand Planning

• Analyse historical demand, removing anomalies and outliers using market knowledge and sales input.
• Apply appropriate statistical forecasting models for each product group.
• Generate and adjust base demand forecasts as required.
• Investigate demand variances, making recommendations to improve forecast accuracy.
• Continuously improve forecasting through root cause analysis and Forecast Value Add methodologies.
• Develop demand scenarios to identify risks and opportunities.
• Incorporate market intelligence, customer insights, and business assumptions into forecasts.

Events/Promotions Planning

• Use promotional plans and customer input to develop event forecasts.
• Collaborate with customer teams to determine promotional volumes and evaluate effectiveness.
• Challenge promotional assumptions using historical performance data.
• Document promotion assumptions and outcomes.
• Ensure accurate depot-level forecasting for promotions and regional demand allocations.

Consolidated Demand Planning And Continuous Improvement

• Present forecasts and assumptions to gain cross-functional consensus.
• Publish agreed forecasts through SAP, finance tools, and relevant platforms.
• Use Demand Planning KPIs to improve forecast accuracy and reduce volatility.
• Analyse historical data to support forecasting decisions.
• Prepare and distribute KPI reports, scorecards, and performance updates.

Innovation Management

• Partner with Marketing, Customer, Supply Planning, and R&D teams to forecast new product launches.
• Document assumptions supporting innovation forecasts.
• Monitor and report innovation KPIs.
• Support product discontinuations through accurate bleed-out forecasting.
• Use forecasting KPIs to improve accuracy and minimise volatility.
• Ensure accurate depot-level forecasting for new product developments (NPDs).

Portfolio Management

• Conduct data analysis to support portfolio management decisions.
• Recommend SKU rationalisation opportunities in line with agreed guidelines.

ICSE Process

• Collaborate across functions to prepare and deliver monthly ICSE packs.
• Support customer service improvements through forecasting and service KPI analysis.
• Provide data for annual and quarterly budgeting processes.
• Highlight demand anomalies requiring action outside the normal review cycle.

Master Data & Hierarchies

• Maintain customer and product master data and hierarchies.
• Ensure all active SKUs are forecasted and remove forecasts for inactive SKUs.

Projects

• Participate in cross-functional business projects relating to innovation, master data, and demand planning.

Information And Data Management

• Maintain and update demand planning files and reporting systems.
• Ensure forecast changes are captured accurately and on time.
• Provide reliable data and reports to support business decision-making.
• Prepare daily, weekly, monthly, and ad hoc reporting for stakeholders.

Effective Teamwork & Self-Management

• Take ownership of responsibilities and manage priorities effectively.
• Maintain high standards of quality and productivity.
• Communicate risks, delays, and solutions proactively.
• Support company values and stakeholder expectations.
• Contribute to team success and continuous improvement.
• Champion personal and team development through training initiatives.
• Participate in performance management processes and goal setting.
• Maintain awareness of employee relations and compliance requirements.