Divisional Head - Demand Planning Lead

The Divisional Head – Demand Planning will lead the end-to-end demand planning function for Apollo Tyres India business across both Replacement and OEM channels. The role is accountable for driving a robust, data-driven demand planning process that delivers a single, aligned demand signal across the organization.

The incumbent will lead the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, ensuring strong cross-functional collaboration among Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Finance, R&D and Product Management teams. This role will play a critical leadership position in enhancing forecast accuracy, improving service levels, optimizing inventory, and enabling business growth.

As Apollo Tyres continues its digital transformation journey, the role will also serve as a key business leader and super user for the o9 planning platform, driving adoption, capability building, and process excellence in demand planning and S&OP.

Major Responsibilities

Demand Planning Leadership

• Lead the end-to-end demand planning process for India across Replacement and OEM businesses.
• Develop and maintain statistically driven and market-informed demand forecasts at appropriate levels of granularity.
• Drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy, bias reduction, and demand planning maturity.
• Establish governance mechanisms and performance metrics for demand planning excellence.

S&OP Leadership

• Own and facilitate the monthly S&OP cycle to ensure alignment across commercial and supply chain functions.
• Drive consensus-based planning and enable decision-making through structured review forums.
• Ensure alignment between demand, supply, inventory, and financial plans.
• Deliver a single, agreed organizational demand plan (One Number) that supports business objectives.

Cross-Functional Stakeholder Management

• Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, R&D, Finance, Manufacturing, Procurement, Supply Planning, and Logistics teams.
• Challenge assumptions and facilitate data-driven decision-making across functions.
• Build strong collaboration mechanisms to proactively manage demand risks and opportunities.

Business Performance Management

• Monitor and report key demand planning KPIs including:
• Forecast Accuracy (Statistical & Consensus)
• Forecast Bias (Statistical & Consensus)
• Service Level (Replacement & OEM)
• Inventory Days vs Target
• NPD Forecast Accuracy
• S&OP Adherence
• Provide actionable insights to senior leadership regarding market trends, risks, and growth opportunities.

Digital Transformation & Planning Systems

• Act as the business super user and process champion for the o9 planning platform.
• Support the ongoing APS (Advanced Planning System) transformation journey and drive business adoption.
• Partner with IT, transformation teams, and external partners to enhance planning capabilities.
• Identify opportunities for automation, advanced analytics, AI/ML-driven forecasting, and scenario planning.
• Lead user training, capability development, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing demand planning team.
• Build future-ready planning capabilities and succession pipelines.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills & Knowledge

• 14+ years of experience in Demand Planning, Supply Chain Planning, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), or S&OP.Strong understanding of demand planning processes, statistical modeling, and forecasting techniques.
• Significant experience managing demand planning for large-scale FMCG, automotive, industrial, manufacturing, or consumer-facing businesses.
• Proven experience leading enterprise-wide S&OP/IBP processes.
• Strong exposure to Replacement and OEM business environments is preferred.
• Experience in tyre, automotive, industrial manufacturing, or related sectors will be advantageous.
• Hands-on experience with APS platforms such as o9, Kinaxis, Blue Yonder, SAP IBP, Anaplan, or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of Statistical Forecasting Concepts and S&OP and IBP Integration.
• Prior experience in planning transformation programs and digital supply chain initiatives is a strong plus. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent collaboration and negotiation skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build and sustain a vast range of working relationships across multiple functions, cultures, and ability to flex styles for effective influence.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS: Master's Degree/MBA from a reputed institute. Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Technology.