Assistant Supply Planning Manager
Role Purpose
The Assistant Supply Planning Manager is responsible for optimizing the balance between service, inventory, and cost while effectively managing demand and supply volatility. As the Supply Chain lead for the category, this role serves as the primary interface between Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Logistics teams to ensure superior customer service and business performance.
The role leads Central Supply Planning, Network Planning, and Customer Service teams, driving operational excellence, process efficiency, and disruption management across the end-to-end supply chain. It also plays a pivotal role in implementing digital and AI-enabled planning capabilities, while developing agile, resilient, and cost-efficient supply chain strategies.
Key Responsibilities
Supply Planning & Network Optimization
- Develop and execute production and replenishment plans based on forecasted demand and business priorities.
- Ensure optimal inventory deployment across factories, distribution centers, and depots while maintaining target service levels.
- Drive event and promotional planning, ensuring timely pre-build and flawless execution.
- Review and balance supply-demand scenarios to proactively mitigate risks and constraints.
- Lead network planning initiatives to enhance agility, responsiveness, and efficiency.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Category, Marketing, Customer Marketing, and Sales teams to align supply chain priorities with business objectives.
- Work with Manufacturing, Procurement, Logistics, and Distribution Planning teams to ensure uninterrupted product availability.
- Collaborate with Demand Planning and Planning Excellence teams to improve forecast accuracy and planning effectiveness.
- Act as the single point of contact for all supply chain matters related to the assigned category.
Digital Transformation & Continuous Improvement
- Leverage advanced planning systems, analytics, and AI-driven tools to improve planning accuracy and operational efficiency.
- Support the implementation of digital supply chain initiatives and future planning capabilities.
- Lead continuous improvement and cost optimization projects across the supply chain network.
- Drive best-practice adoption and standardization of planning processes.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead, coach, and develop Central Supply Planning, Network Planning, and Customer Service teams.
- Manage supply disruptions and ensure rapid resolution through strong stakeholder collaboration.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and performance excellence.
- Influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across functions to achieve business goals.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Service Excellence
- CRFR
- MSTN
- Day 0 CCF
Inventory Management
- RDOH
- Inventory Glide Path
- DBNR
Cost & Efficiency
- CPT
- Kilometers Travelled
- Business Waste Reduction
Digital Capability
- Adoption and effectiveness of digital planning tools
- AI-enabled planning maturity and implementation success
Key Stakeholders
- Category Teams (Marketing & Customer Marketing)
- Manufacturing and Factory Teams
- Customer Development Teams (CCMs, ASMs)
- Central Demand Planning
- Distribution Planning
Skills Required
- Experience developing and executing production and replenishment plans
- Proven experience optimizing inventory deployment and maintaining target service levels
- Experience leading Central Supply Planning, Network Planning, or Customer Service teams
- Familiarity with advanced planning systems, analytics, and AI-enabled planning tools
- Strong cross-functional stakeholder management with Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Logistics
- Experience managing supply-demand balancing, risk mitigation, and promotional/event planning
- Track record of leading continuous improvement and cost optimization projects in supply chain
Unilever Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Unilever and has not been reviewed or approved by Unilever.
-
Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and occupational health support alongside a 24/7 employee assistance program. Wellbeing offerings such as health checks, resilience tools, and counseling support the perceived depth of health-related benefits.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) match that reaches up to 5% of base salary, strengthening the overall value of the package. Share and savings options are also referenced as part of longer-term financial support beyond salary.
-
Flexible Benefits — Benefits customization is enabled through tools such as a “My Reward” system and a “Benefits Envelope” that allows employees to personalize selections. Flexible working approaches are also associated with improved overall satisfaction, reinforcing perceived choice and adaptability in the total rewards offering.
Unilever Insights
What We Do
Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Our portfolio ranges from nutritionally balanced foods to indulgent ice creams, affordable soaps, luxurious shampoos and everyday household care products. We produce world-leading brands including Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s and Omo, alongside trusted local names and innovative-forward thinking brands like Ben & Jerry’s, The Dollar Shave Club and Dermalogica. Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.
