Distribution Requirement Planner

Job Purpose

The primary purpose of the Distribution Requirement Planner role is to optimize the distribution of products from factories and central warehouses to regional and global warehouses to meet customer demand efficiently while balancing service, inventory, and cost. The DRP ensures proper planning, allocation, and replenishment across the supply network, supporting both operational execution and strategic decision-making.

Main Objectives:

1. Distribution Requirement Planning – 35%
   
   • Create and maintain the distribution requirement plan to optimize product allocation from production sites and central warehouses to regional/global warehouses.
   • Align inventory with market demand and customer needs to support production plans
2. Service, Inventory, and Cost Trade-off Management – 15%
   
   • Understand and balance trade-offs between service levels, inventory levels, and cost efficiency.
   • Monitor and adjust plans to maintain reliability, lead times, and cost-effectiveness.
3. Replenishment & Supply Planning – 25%
   
   • Manage supply and replenishments across the network, ensuring SKU-level demand consolidation and resolution of exceptions.
   • Oversee daily/weekly distribution plan releases, inventory projections, and warehouse capacity planning.
4. Data Accuracy & Master Data Management – 10%
   
   • Maintain correct transactional and master data for all planning activities.
   • Ensure housekeeping processes in ERP/SAP systems are followed consistently.
5. Collaboration & Stakeholder Communication – 10%
   • Liaise with planning teams, manufacturing, logistics, and customer service to ensure integration across functions.
   • Lead MDI meetings and gatekeeping sessions; provide KPIs to measure performance.
6. Process Improvement & Projects – 5%
   
   • Support initiatives to improve planning efficiency, reduce slow-moving/obsolete stock, and enhance inventory and service performance.

Job Responsbilities

1. Supply & Replenishment Management –Oversee supply and replenishments across the network; review mid- and long-term supply plans against resources, warehouse capacities, and Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)-level demand.
2. Distribution Requirement Planning – Consolidate independent, dependent, and distribution demand; release weekly/daily Stock Transfer Orders / Intercompany Deliveries (ICDs) and ensure alignment with production and warehouse capacity.
3. Exception & Inventory Management – Resolve planning exceptions in accordance with Integrated Business Planning (IBP) rules; balance service levels (On-Time In-Full, OTIF) with inventory targets (On-Warehouse Coverage, OWC) and manage slow-moving/obsolete stock, rework, and scrapping.
4. Inventory & Capacity Planning – Project inventory volume and value; plan warehouse and logistics capacity; maintain replenishment policies, safety stock levels, shipment calendars, and SKU stocking levels.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration –  Communicate and integrate with manufacturing, logistics, customer service, and planning teams; drive Material Demand Integration (MDI) meetings and gatekeeping meetings with other departments.
6. KPI Tracking & Reporting – Provide relevant KPIs for service, inventory, and supply plan adherence; conduct impact analysis to evaluate the effect of decisions or scenarios on the plan.
7. Logistics & Distribution Optimization – Review logistics schedule adherence, optimize truck load management, and ensure smooth execution of distribution flows.
8. Process Improvement – Support projects and initiatives to enhance planning performance, efficiency, inventory control, and service levels across the supply network.
9. Master Data & System Management – Ensure correct master data and housekeeping of transactional data in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) / Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing (SAP); monitor replenishment model and policy adjustments.
10. Training & Knowledge Sharing – Act as a resource for other planners; share knowledge, provide guidance, and support team coordination for smooth planning operations.

Level of Autonomy

• Decisions related to the creation and release of the master production planning
• Low-impact exception management decisions
• Change replenishment model for a concrete SKU (e.g., from Pull to Push)
• Adjust replenishment policies for a set of products

Job Requirements

1. Education & Experience: University or college degree in Business Administration, Economics, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related discipline; at least 1 year of experience in supply planning in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Paint/Coating, or Retail sectors.
2. Technical & Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities, able to identify, structure, and resolve issues; experience with supply planning tools such as Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing (SAP) and Business Intelligence (BI); good understanding of goods handling, transportation (including dangerous goods), and cross-border documentation requirements.
3. Results Orientation & Process Improvement: Focused on achieving results, with a strong desire to challenge and improve existing processes and the status quo.
4. Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication, interpersonal, and cross-cultural skills; flexible and able to work effectively under pressure.
5. Language & Cultural Awareness: Fluent in English with understanding and sensitivity to different cultural behaviors in a global supply chain environment.