Assistant Manager, Planning (Demand & Supply)

Job Summary

Suntory is a global leader in consumer-packaged goods, renowned for producing and distributing a uniquely diverse portfolio of beverages, premium spirits, beer, wine, and wellness products throughout the world. With a history dating back to 1899, we are driven by a profound purpose: To inspire the brilliance of life, by creating rich experiences for people, in harmony with nature. At Suntory Beverage and Food, we boldly move forward together to realize the dreams of becoming a world-leading next-generation global beverage company, always together with Seikatsusha – you are an important part of this and here’s how your role helps us win.

We are seeking a dynamic and passionate Assistant Manager, Planning (Demand & Supply) to join our Procurement team at Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pacific. In this role, you will play a pivotal role in supporting the procurement of goods, materials and services that delivers the best total value to the company. You will also play a key role in updating demand forecast from customers (SPBT, SPVB, SBFO) while translating this into a continuous flow of various materials requirements at optimum levels, in order to enable a seamless flow and precise timing of production output for final delivery from suppliers.

Job Responsibilities

• Inventory Management and Control
  • Lead and drive internal weekly S&OP and external monthly customer S&OP meeting, to align the demand fulfilment consensus plan.
  • Set-up and document S&OP processes, review product fulfilment strategy to get alignment with customers.
  • Plan and prepares monthly S&OP meetings with customers to review demand forecast, confirmed PO changes and product innovations.
  • Prepares Dashboard reports on Demand and Supply planning (RM) with suppliers on operation activities to be used as basis for continuous improvement.
  • Maintain SAP updates, generate demand plan and reports to present function KPI during monthly stakeholders meeting.
  • Track weekly/monthly forecast error results versus established targets, confirmed customer PO, and identify and report on the root cause.
  • Support New Product Development (NPD) launches with regional team, IMS, and QA functions, collaborates with Procurement and Finance teams to detail monthly forecast by plant/customer/material level.
• Vendor Performance Monitoring
  • Monitor supplier performance by reviewing delivery schedules, product quality, and other contract terms. Report on any issues or non-compliance.
  • Lead and work collaboratively with procurement, suppliers, logistics freight forwarders and customer procurement to manage order scheduling and fulfilment. Develop action plans to avoid service and order fulfilment impacts
• Purchase Order Management & Analysis
  • Assist in creating, processing, and tracking purchase orders (POs) in alignment with procurement plans and business requirements.
  • Drive and generate 6-12 months of rolling sales forecast and 3-6 months of confirmed customer PO to align with the allocated supply plan in SAP (PIR).
  • Analyse trends to drive improvements in forecast accuracy and bias, manage customer PO demand fluctuations to optimise product availability and order fulfilment according to agreed performance and stock target.
  • Change management control to document assumptions, implications and approval related to demand fluctuations within the defined time fence (90-day).
• Risk Management
  • Assist in identifying potential risks in the procurement process, such as supplier delays, price fluctuations, or inventory shortages, and suggest mitigation strategies.
  • Manage materials allocations and availability to demand. Maintain a detailed knowledge of sales strategies and initiatives, including gaps and opportunities between the customer demand forecast and supplier capacity and supply ability
  • Participate in supplier audits and evaluations to assess performance, identify risks, and ensure suppliers meet contractual obligations.
  • Ensure that procurement activities comply with company policies, industry standards, and legal requirements (e.g., procurement contracts, payment terms).
• Process Improvement Initiatives
  • Identify opportunities for improving procurement processes, such as streamlining order workflows, reducing lead times, or enhancing supplier relationships.
  • Demand focal point to participate in continuous improvement projects supporting supply with cross-function collaboration, to determine optimal product assortment that achieves supply chain optimization.
• Budget and Cost Control Support
  • Support the procurement team in budget management, cost tracking, and ensuring that procurement activities align with budgetary constraints.
  • Participates in annual budget preparation with demand forecasts.

Skills and Experience

•    College or University degree in either of logistics, finance, technology, supply chain or business.
•    Have accountability and responsibility for product and materials planning including production scheduling in a supply chain function.
•    Proven track record of 3-7 years experiences in Beverages, FMCG or Pharmaceutical Plant Management experience.
•    Good understanding of beverage production facilities, manufacturing process, operation KPI, safety and quality) in Beverages, FMCG or Pharmaceutical industries.
•    Familiar with PPIC (production planning & inventory control)
•    Experience in SAP (PP, MM)
•    Good MS office skills (Excel & Powerpoint)