Deputy Manager - Routing Intelligence

Job description:

The role is responsible for leading route planning and scheduling services for the Europe Route Engineering team across the UK and Poland markets, owning route data quality, route optimization analysis, and timely upload of route changes in the system for the field sales and last-mile operations.

Responsibilities:

• Own route and customer visit-plan information and data quality.
• Route optimization, scenario analysis, and schedule updates in SAP S/4 and Territory Planner.
• Validate and upload route changes, support last-mile scheduling, and guide coordinators.

Functional Responsibilities:

• Own route and customer visit-plan data in SAP S/4 for UK and Poland (day, frequency, route changes, new customers).
• Geocode new customers and run geo-code quality checks to keep location data accurate in Territory Planner.
• Lead data preparation for route engineering and build balanced, optimized routes/days in Territory Planner, including what-if scenarios.
• Upload routes and visit plans into SAP, validate the data after upload, and resolve exceptions.
• Govern the monthly route-change cycle in line with approvals, red-line cut-off, and month-end freeze.
• Maintain customer visit sequence and delivery calendar (SAP, TP, and AFS) across both markets.
• Analyze route productivity KPIs (calls per route, drop size, travel time, cost-to-serve) and prepare route change reports, maps, and customer-base comparisons.
• Manage the Route Planning mailbox, prioritize requests, and ensure SLA/KPI adherence.
• Identify and drive process improvements and automation (Excel, Power BI, macros) to reduce manual effort and improve data accuracy.

People Responsibilities:

• Partner with GTM Routing COE team and UK and Poland field sales teams to gather requirements, align priorities, and share insights.
• Guide, train, and review the work of Routing Coordinators; act as backup to the Route Planning Manager.
• Own SOPs, process documentation, and knowledge transfer for the UK and Poland markets.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (BE, B.Tech, BBA, B.Com, MBA, or any equivalent degree) from a recognized institution.
• 6+ years of experience in the Retail, CPG, or FMCG industry.
• 4-6 years of hands-on experience in route planning, route engineering, supply chain, logistics, distribution, or field sales.
• Strong understanding of CPG/FMCG business processes, including sales channels, customer coverage, visit frequency, cost-to-serve, and route productivity.
• Strong knowledge of Go-to-Market (GTM) and Direct Store Delivery (DSD) route processes; route engineering or route modeling experience is required.
• Advanced hands-on experience with Territory Planner or similar routing/GIS tools, including geocoding, route optimization, scenario modeling, and route sequencing.
• Good working knowledge of SAP S/4HANA and SAP DSD.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivots, lookups, macros), PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook; Power BI exposure is an advantage.
• Experience managing shared mailbox queries and service requests within SLA targets using ServiceNow or similar ticketing systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to understand business drivers, develop metrics, and lead process improvements.
• Fluent in professional English; Polish or another European language is an advantage.
• Results-oriented with strong planning, organization, and follow-up skills; experience guiding or training junior team members is preferred.

Skills

GIS, Geocoding, Route Engineering, Route Modeling, Route Optimization, Route Planning, Routing, SAP, SAP DSD, SAP S/4HANA, Sequencing, Territory Planner