Category Master Planner

WHATDOES A CATEGORY PLANNER DO?

Owner of production & network supply plans for their categories, the Category Master Planner partners with Regional Supply teams, markets & global brand teams to translate distribution requirements into realistic production plans, optimising for service, cost & cash.

As the key interface for the supply centre to markets / regions, the Category Master Planner ensures robust & aligned plans are in place.

Collaborating closely with a wide range of stakeholders across local, regional & global functions, this role requires an individual adept at building relationships, strong communication skills & comfortable in providing meaningful, constructive challenge.

Technical skills are also key to success, proficient in using planning systems & analysis of big data.The role will give the successful candidate wide ranging supply chain exposure & will place them in an ideal position to take advantage of the career opportunities available in Bacardi.

A high degree of flexibility is required, to ensure timely responses to changing situations, providing data driven insights & ensuring effective decision making

RESPONSIBILITIES

WITH OUR CONSUMER AT THE HEART, YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE TO:

Production & Supply Planning - Mid Term (S&OE) & Long Term (S&OP)

• Translate distribution requirements to achievable production plans
• Assess capacity constraints across sites
• Develop production sequence and monitor feasibility
• Make informed Data-Driven Decisions to optimise service, cost & cash
• Partner with regional supply teams to align interregional flows with demand and capacity
• Model interregional flows and optimise network
• Acquire medium and long-term demand forecasts for all FG inventory consuming events and control the translation of those forecasts into a network supply plan by collaborating with cross-functional partners
• Manage allocations with regional supply teams, optimising total network & handling known constraints in line with business strategy
• Ensure transparency & clarity of volumes with associated assumptions, ensuring alignment of key stakeholders within categories
• Lead & influence internal stakeholders to deliver service & cost performance that will support successful delivery of these strategies
• Provide analysis & facilitate actions, to optimise capacity, labour, inventory (incl. obsolete & slow-moving) & supplier requirements
• Support & enable the Long-Term Demand Planning process, for categories under your responsibility

Digital & Analytical Tools for Planning Optimization

• Work with markets & regions to ensure robust planning master data, in relation to replenishment signals
• Key aim to optimise inventory across the global Bacardi network
• Guardian of SAP set-up, ensuring the perfect Heuristic Signal with all regional supply teams
• Leverage digital & analytical tools to refine planning models, improve Replenishment accuracy & drive efficient decision-making

Product Lifecycle Management & Portfolio Optimisation

• Production planning regarding Product Lifecycle Management & SKU optimisation with NPD & marketing teams
• Key planning representative for finished goods NPD projects, within assigned category/categories
• Ensuring timely planning & decision making, to achieve successful product launches in collaboration with innovation team
• Monitor execution of aligned plans, including depletion plans to limit write off exposure
• Be a custodian of plant SKU master data, to ensure effective management of products
• Experienced in End-to-End Planning & S&OP within an FMCG company is required
• Strong proactive communicator; capable of delivering concise, clear messaging to influence & drive key business decisions
• Self starter with a strong sense of urgency
• Strong at building relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Customer Service “Consumer At The Heart” of everything you do with a passion for delivering service and results
• Quick to identify trends, interpret data & can easily draw conclusions from the reported data; Capable of drawing out meaningful, actionable insights to share & influence stakeholders that will help drive business decisions
• Sound operational, commercial & financial awareness & understands the meaning & implications of the data results for the business
• Technically proficient with strong analytic competence; Expert Microsoft Excel, SAP ECC system; Power BI is a plus
• Data driven skills & mindset to problem solving
• Strong organisational and planning skills

LEADERSHIP AGILITY

At Bacardi we care deeply about finding brilliant talent who can bring the following personal attributes to help elevate our 3Fs: Fearless, Family, Founder culture to the next level.

• Belonging: You have a strong capacity to create a culture of ‘Belonging’, where people feel appreciated for who they are, what they do, and who they can become

• Self-Awareness: You have high levels of self-awareness, are reflective and know yourself well, understanding both your own strengths and weaknesses and your impact on others

• People Agility: You bring a deep ability to understand and relate to people and navigate through tough situations to harness and multiply collective performance

• Results Agility: You demonstrate consistent delivery of results in first-time situations by inspiring teams, exhibiting a presence that builds confidence in yourself and others.

• Mental Agility: You can think critically to penetrate complex problems and expand the possibilities by making fresh connections. You think strategically whilst being execution focused and bring creativity to the challenges you’re presented with

• Change Agility: You have a deep natural curiosity, desire to experiment and ability to effectively deal with the heat of change. You have a growth and learning mindset: ready to test, stumble, learn and apply from experience

Disclaimer: Bacardi seeks talent from all backgrounds to bring diversity of thought, agility and capability to our organization across the globe. We promote a working environment where all employees are treated and rewarded fairly. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination that adversely affects individuals or groups on the basis of national origin, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, and any other legally protected aspect of a person’s identity.

U.S. applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.

Perks of Working for us

At Bacardi, we are committed to providing our Primos (employees) with a comprehensive Total Rewards package of compensation, benefits, incentives, allowances, well-being, and much more to meet the needs of themselves and their families. It goes beyond just Cash! The total rewards program is based on pay for performance, whereby the incentive programs are linked to company and individual performance.

Compensation, Paid Time Off & Retirement:

• Competitive Pay Package
• Competitive Holiday/Paid Time Off, plus additional days offered ( i.e., volunteer day, allowing you to give back to the community)
• Retirement/Pension Plan

Health & Wellbeing

• Medical, Critical Illness, and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Best-in-class, family-friendly, and inclusive leave policies

Additional Benefits

The benefits /perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Bacardi, your work location, and are subject to change.

Some benefits may be subject to an employee contribution.

Some benefits may be fully or partially subsidized. Incentive plans are linked to the nature of your employment and can vary based on region, market, function or brand.

AI Disclaimer

We recognise that AI tools can be valuable to support you throughout the recruitment process. At Bacardi, we want to get to know you and understand your own experience, capabilities and perspectives during the interview. We therefore ask that you do not use AI assistance during live or pre-recorded interviews. If you use assistive technology or would like us to make any adjustments to the interview process, please let us know. This won't affect your application.