Overview
As Senior Manager – Global S&OP & Demand Planning Lead, the role is responsible for designing, governing, and scaling Holcim’s global Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and demand planning framework across all regions and business segments.
The position leads the global demand planning strategy, ensuring forecast accuracy improvement, bias reduction, and inventory optimization, while connecting commercial strategy, operations capacity, and logistics performance. The role also oversees the deployment and continuous enhancement of the Group’s AI-based demand planning engine (Holcim Foresight).
Operating in a complex multi-segment, multi-country environment (Cement, Aggregates, RMX, Mortar across 30+ countries), the role ensures that planning becomes a strategic margin protection lever and enables differentiated service (premium vs. standard).
Key Responsibilities
1. Global S&OP Framework & Governance
1. Define and govern the global S&OP framework and maturity roadmap
2. Standardize planning processes, KPIs, and executive review cadence (Quarterly update)
3. Align commercial forecasts with operational and logistics capacity
4. Ensure integration between demand, supply, and financial planning
5. Lead global S&OP performance reviews with regions
2. Global Demand Planning Leadership
6. Define global demand planning standards and methodologies
7. Drive forecast accuracy improvement and bias monitoring
8. Ensure proper segmentation logic (premium vs. standard service levels)
9. Support inventory target definition and service trade-off decisions
10. Consolidate global planning performance dashboards
3. AI Planning System (Holcim Foresight) Governance
11. Own the functional roadmap of the AI demand planning tool
12. Translate business needs into system enhancements
13. Prioritize developments and manage global rollout (incl. Team in India)
14. Ensure adoption across regions through strong change management
15. Monitor forecast uplift and business impact
4. Performance & Business Impact
16. Link forecast improvements to cost-to-serve optimization
17. Reduce inventory volatility and working capital intensity
18. Support network optimization and capacity planning initiatives
19. Improve service reliability and reduce last-minute freight escalation
5. Change Management & Capability Building
20. Develop global S&OP capabilities across countries
21. Build a network of local planning champions
22. Provide structured training and maturity assessments
23. Act as subject matter expert for planning excellence
6. Cross-Functional Leadership
24. Interface with Commercial, Operations, Logistics, Finance, and IT
25. Support Smart Room / Control Tower initiatives
26. Contribute to the NextGen Logistics roadmap
27. Ensure planning becomes a competitive advantage, not just an operational process
Required Qualifications & Skills
1. Technical / functional skills:
28. Strong expertise in S&OP / Integrated Business Planning
29. Advanced demand forecasting knowledge (statistical & AI-based)
30. Experience in digital planning systems
31. Strong analytical & financial acumen (cost-to-serve, inventory optimization)
32. Experience in global transformation programs
2. Behavioural competencies:
33. Strategic and structured thinker
34. Data-driven and results-oriented
35. Strong influencing skills in matrix organization
36. Resilient and comfortable with ambiguity
37. Clear and executive-level communication skills
3. Leadership and managerial abilities:
38. Ability to lead globally without direct authority
39. Strong change management capability
40. Coaching and capability-building mindset
41. Structured execution and prioritization skills
Education / Qualification
42. Master’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business or related field
Language Requirements
43. Fluent in English
44. Additional languages are an advantage
Benefits
45. Hybrid work contract
46. Family Support: Subsidized childcare and paid maternity/paternity leave
47. Professional Growth: Company-sponsored training and professional development.
48. Discounts and Perks: Subsidized meals, exclusive discounts, and company gifts for special occasions.
49. Long-service awards
50. Employee referral bonus
51. Pension and Savings: Access to a comprehensive pension fund and an employee savings scheme.
Holcim is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We support equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, national origin, gender, sexuality, disability, or age.