Supply Chain Optimisation Lead

Location: Gqeberha

Overview

The Supply Chain Optimization Lead plays a pivotal role in driving strategic supply chain decisions through in-depth data analysis and actionable insights. This position requires a seasoned professional with extensive experience in supply chain management, demand management, demand analytics, forecasting, and process optimisation, particularly within the pharmaceutical industry. The role leads efforts to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, and improve overall performance, ensuring the company remains competitive in a dynamic market environment while delivering ultimate customer service.

Responsibilities

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Analyze complex supply chain data to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement
• Develop and implement advanced analytics models to forecast demand and optimise supply chain operations

Demand Management and Analytics

• Lead demand planning processes to accurately forecast product demand based on historical data, market trends, and sales insights
• Utilise demand analytics to identify factors affecting demand variability and propose strategies to address them

Forecasting

• Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts to ensure alignment between supply and customer demand
• Collaborate with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to integrate business intelligence and market data into demand forecasts

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Create processes and methods to automate information gathering across the value chain
• Maintain and track accurate data to support supply chain decision‑making
• Review, streamline and automate all internal and external supply chain reports
• Constantly review supply chain data and ensure necessary inputs are fed into the planning and production cycle
• Develop and maintain detailed process maps of key value chain processes to assist with optimisation and simulation

Future‑Proof our Business

• Develop frameworks to identify the value of implementing advanced tools and technologies within the Aspen value chain (IoT, Big Data, Blockchain, Machine Learning AI)
• Support the creation of LP/MIP capability within Aspen and create the framework/tools for data engineering, digital twin, optimisation and simulation

Optimised Customer Care

• Ensure that supply chain strategies and operations are aligned with the goal of delivering ultimate customer service
• Proactively address any supply chain disruptions to minimise impact on customer satisfaction and product availability

Reporting and Dashboards

• Create and maintain comprehensive reports and dashboards to provide real‑time visibility into supply chain and demand performance metrics
• Present findings and recommendations to senior leadership and cross‑functional teams

Process Optimisation

• Identify inefficiencies in supply chain and demand management processes and recommend solutions to enhance productivity and reduce costs
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline operations and improve service levels

Strategic Planning

• Provide data‑driven insights to inform strategic supply chain and demand management decisions and long‑term planning
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to align supply chain and demand strategies with overall business objectives

Collaboration

• Work closely with procurement, logistics, demand planning and IT departments to ensure data accuracy and alignment

Technology and Tools

• Leverage advanced analytics tools and technologies to enhance supply chain visibility and decision‑making capabilities
• Stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies to continuously improve the supply chain analytics functions

Performance Monitoring and Risk Management

• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure supply chain and demand management operations align with business goals
• Identify potential risks in the supply chain and develop strategies to mitigate them

Requirements Formal Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Operations Research or a related field. Post‑graduate degree in above fields of study advantageous

Certifications/registrations

• Data science certifications and APICS certification preferred

Overall experience

• Minimum of 5–10 years of experience…