Digital Transformation Director Demand Planning & COE

Operations

As the Digital Transformation Director Demand Planning & COE, you will lead the transformation and digitalization of demand planning processes across all categories globally. This role requires a deep understanding of demand planning, advanced systems, and new technologies, coupled with excellent stakeholder management skills. The role also includes scope of digitalisation of IBP process – executed in collaboration with Planning Performance team, who own IBP TOM.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a global Target Operating Model for demand planning. Ensure consistency and standardization of processes across all regions and categories.
• Lead global transformation and digitalization initiatives for demand planning processes. Implement advanced technologies and systems to enhance demand planning accuracy and efficiency. Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for digital transformation in demand planning.
• Utilize advanced demand planning tools and technologies, including AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of demand planning processes. Identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions to achieve desired outcomes.
• Continuously improve Demand Planning process by external benchmarking to increase maturity of the process against Gartner maturity scale (validated as part of Planning Target Operating Model and supportive technology solutions).
• Collaborate with various departments, including marketing, IT, and customer service, to ensure successful implementation of demand planning initiatives. Manage relationships with key stakeholders to drive alignment and support for transformation projects.
• Drive change management initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new technologies and processes. Provide training and support to team members and stakeholders to facilitate the transition.
• Lead and mentor a team of demand planning transformation managers, senior managers and Data Scientists. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the team.
• Serve as the key single point of contact with the regional Centers of Excellence (COEs). Ensure effective communication and collaboration between the global and regional teams.

Deliverables

• Revise, execute and drive actions from Demand Planning assessment/survey on maturity and adherence.
• Revise/build training materials on Demand Planning process.
• Define/revise Demand Planning Process KPI and implement governance structure with the CBU’s/Regions.
• Review and drive implementation of global execution of Demand Planning (region/global, cross category).
• Propose process improvements based on harmonisation, Reset, Regional COEs, external benchmarks, performance and adherence to the process.
• Identify gaps in Demand Planning process harmonisation/adherence and drive closing the gap (RESET collaboration).
• Represent Planning (as Demand Planning BPO) in Reset TOM / Interdependencies workshops, Design Authorities etc.
• Lead the Demand Planning stream of Reset projects, like Iberia LightHouse.
• Annual alignment on priorities with Global IT, Regional COEs and other global and regional teams.
• Quarterly review of results and revision of priorities with Smartplanning COE team.

About you

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in demand planning and digital transformation.
• Strong understanding of advanced demand planning tools and technologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to lead and mentor a team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

About Danone

At Danone, we offer a complete package of benefits, with a competitive primary salary and yearly bonus, plus benefits like a premium free pension, 30 days annual leave and several discounts on a collective health insurance and even on some of our products.

In the Netherlands we also offer a hybrid working environment which enables each team to meet our people's desire for flexibility. Across our 3 office hubs in Hoofddorp, Zoetermeer and Utrecht this helps us create better opportunities for connection and synergies across our entities, teams, functions and categories.