Heads Up For Tails - Head - Planning & Distribution

About The Role:

The Head of Planning & Distribution will lead end-to-end production planning, procurement, and distribution strategy across regions and channels for the FMCG business.

The role is responsible for ensuring optimal product availability, cost efficiency, service levels, and inventory health across multiple manufacturing units and warehouses, including domestic and import supply chains.

This role is a senior leadership position requiring strong cross-functional coordination with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Manufacturing, and External Partners.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Demand & Supply Planning:

• Own S&OP process to align demand forecasts with production and supply plans.
• Translate sales forecasts into monthly, quarterly, and annual production plans.
• Balance demand variability with capacity, inventory, and service level targets.
• Lead forecast accuracy improvement initiatives in collaboration with Sales & Marketing.

2. Production Planning & Capacity Management:

• Develop and manage production planning across multiple manufacturing locations including international supply chains.
• Drive continuous improvement in production planning KPIs (OTIF, adherence, efficiency).

3. Procurement & Material Planning:

• Oversee procurement planning for raw materials, packaging, and indirect material.
• Ensure continuity of supply while optimizing procurement costs and lead times.
• Work closely with sourcing teams on supplier development, risk mitigation, and alternates.

4. Warehousing & Distribution Planning:

• Define and execute channel-wise and region-wise distribution strategies.
• Optimize warehouse locations, inventory deployment, and replenishment models.
• Oversee multi-warehouse operations and drive improvements in logistics costs, delivery lead times, and service levels.

5. Inventory Management:

• Own inventory health across RM, WIP, FG, and channel inventory.
• Set and monitor inventory norms, safety stocks, and aging controls.
• Reduce slow-moving, obsolete, and expired inventory through proactive planning.
• Balance working capital targets with service requirements.

6. Team Leadership & Capability Building:

• Lead a team of 8 - 10+ planners and supply chain professionals.
• Set clear KPIs, conduct performance reviews, and build succession plans.
• Drive capability building in planning tools, analytics, and best practices.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with business teams on demand shaping and promotions planning.
• Work with Finance on budget, cost control, and working capital optimization.
• Coordinate with Manufacturing, Quality, and Regulatory teams for smooth execution.

Education, Work Experience And Skills:

• Master's (MBA / PGDM) in supply chain, operations and equivalent.
• Engineering background preferred but not mandatory.
• Industry background should be FMCG / Consumer Goods / Food & Beverage.
• 12 - 14 years of total experience in Supply Chain / Planning roles.
• 3 - 4 years heading Planning / Distribution / Supply Chain functions.
• Hands-on experience managing multi-plant and multi-warehouse operations in both domestic and import supply chains.
• Strong understanding of S&OP, DRP, Inventory planning, production planning & distribution networks.
• Commercial acumen with cost optimisation mindset.
• Strong people leadership & stakeholder management skills, a strategic thinker, and strong decision maker.
• Knowledge of advanced excel & ERPs (planning and manufacturing).
• Analytical structured & execution focused.
• High ownership & accountability along with collaborative leadership style.
• Skills: production planning, procurement, supply chain, manufacturing.