Program Manager, Demand Planning

Job Summary

Responsible to coordinate, plan and execute activities to achieve forecast accuracy, customer lead time compliance, on-time launches, minimal backorders and inventory disposal.

Serve as a senior technical specialist for Demand Planning. Provide Apotex’s customers and management with customized and complex professional services.

Provide a highly specialized level of input to analyze, design and implement demand management processes, systems and strategies to support the Global Generics business and markets. Additionally, support launch execution and product supply replenishment for all Apotex products.

Job Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with customers. Act as a “customer advocate” serving as a customer expert by demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the customer’s market, operating model, and portfolio/RA requirements.  Anticipate changes and develop contingency plans to mitigate overall product availability risk. Communicate forecasts, launch dates and market needs to all relevant internal parties.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders (Sales, Portfolio Management, Regulatory Affairs, Finance, Quality, New Product Launch and Global Supply & Technical Operations.
• Understand the time-sensitive nature of new product launches by eliminating delays within the critical path. Work with functional areas to manage project risk by overseeing artwork, market changes and forecasts. Monitor launch milestones to ensure they are on track and communicate deviations.
• Collaborate with customers/internal stakeholders in the creation of Launch Projects to define finished product requirements in preparation of product launches.
• Oversee inventories provided by customers to determine and set appropriate order trigger points, order quantities and target inventory levels to ensure consistent levels of supply. Synchronize order patterns with production plan and batch sizes.
• Act as a specialized resource in the reporting of demand planning performance metrics and launch milestones for all customer accounts. Recommend courses of action for areas of improvement, plan risk and contingency alternatives.
• Perform sales impact analysis for internal change controls executed by functional business units. Understand the regulatory implication on the markets, provide priorities, assess sales orders and inventory and implement a course of action.
• Provide direction to allocate constrained inventory and minimize stock write-off’s partnering with customer service, customers and finance.
• Demonstrate well-developed project management skills, utilizing designated tools, systems and methodologies in the demand planning and new product launch process.
• Offer in-depth business perspective by establishing processes and systems to facilitate continuous improvement of the demand planning process resulting in the improvement of overall business performance.
• Serve as a senior technical specialist to management for specialized, or highly complex queries. 
• Take a leadership role in the implementation of departmental and cross-functional improvement initiatives areas such as: demand planning, forecast accuracy, project management, order fulfilment, budgeting and customer service.
• Work in a safe manner collaborating as a team member to achieve all outcomes.
• Demonstrate Behaviours that exhibit our organizational Values: Integrity, Courage, Teamwork, and Innovation.
• Ensure personal adherence with all compliance programs including the Global Business Ethics and Compliance Program, Global Quality policies and procedures, Safety and Environment policies, and HR policies.
• Report any notified suspected Adverse Drug Reactions to Global Pharmacovigilance in accordance with Corporate SOPs
• All other relevant duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Education
  • University degree or equivalent business related experience
  • Developed project management skills, PMP Certification an asset
  • 5-7 years’ experience in business management (MRP, Logistics, Marketing) in a pharmaceutical environment
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Excellent oral and written English communication skills
  • Excellent understanding of ERP/SAP and demand planning processes
  • Ability to proactively develop, lead and implement robust supply and execution solutions
  • Strong computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office and project management software
  • Good understanding of business processes and supply chain
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Ability to relate well to internal and external customers
  • Ability to travel (if required)
• Experience
  • Experience in pharmaceutical or consumer packaged goods product launch process