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 (\"One Number\") across the organisation.

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, optimising 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&O

P.
Major Responsibilit

iesList the expected end results that must be achieved in order to fulfil the job purpose and the activities that help in achieving these results, with % of Annual time sp ent, or expected to be spent, with a total of 1

00%The format should be as follows: (1) VERB – what is done; (2) OBJECT – to what/whom; (3) APPROACH – how is it done (activities/tasks) and (4) RESULT – with what outc

ome
Demand Planning Leader

• shipLead the end-to-end demand planning process for India across the Replacement and OEM busines
• ses.Develop and maintain statistically driven and market-informed demand forecasts at appropriate levels of granular
• ity.Drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy, bias reduction, and demand planning matur
• ity.Establish governance mechanisms and performance metrics for demand planning excelle

nce.
S&OP Leade

• rshipOwn and facilitate the monthly S&OP cycle to ensure alignment across commercial and supply chain funct
• ions.Drive consensus-based planning and enable decision-making through structured review fo
• rums.Ensure alignment between demand, supply, inventory, and financial p
• lans.Deliver a single, agreed organizational demand plan (\"One Number\") that supports business object

ives.
Cross-Functional Stakeholder Mana

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

ities.
Business Performance Man

• agementMonitor and report key demand planning KPIs, inc
• luding:Forecast Accuracy (Statistical & Con
• sensus)Forecast Bias (Statistical & Con
• sensus)Service Level (Replacement &am
• p; OEM)Inventory Days vs
• TargetNPD Forecast A
• ccuracyS&OP Ad
• herenceProvide actionable insights to senior leadership regarding market trends, risks, and growth opportu

nities.
Digital Transformation & Planning

• SystemsAct as the business super user and process champion for the o9 planning p
• the ongoing APS (Advanced Planning System) transformation journey and drive business a
• doption.Partner with IT, transformation teams, and external partners to enhance planning capab
• ilities.Identify opportunities for automation, advanced analytics, AI/ML-driven forecasting, and scenario p
• lanning.Lead user training, capability development, and continuous process improvement init

iatives.
Team L

• eadershipLead, coach, and develop a high-performing demand plann
• ing team.Build future-ready planning capabilities and succession p
• ipelines.Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous imp

rovement.
Internal & External Rel

ationshipsWho does this job interact with to perform this role? And for wha

t purpose?
INTERNAL: Functional Heads and Managers, Supply Planning team, Sales & Marketing, R&D, Finance, Manufacturing IT Teams, Logistic teams, Affiliate business (Global, EU, Local), Cross-departmental project s

takeholder s
EXTERNAL: Project implementa

tion vendors
Skills &a

mp; KnowledgeState the minimum acceptable proficiency for this job. Please do not state incumbent-specific

• + years of experience in Demand Planning, Supply Chain Planning, Integrated Business Planning (IBP), or S&OP.Strong understanding of demand planning processes, statistical modelling, and forecastin
• g techniques.Significant experience managing demand planning for large-scale FMCG, automotive, industrial, manufacturing, or consumer-facin
• g businesses.Proven experience leading enterprise-wide S&OP/I
• BP 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 high
• ly desirable.Strong understanding of Statistical Forecasting Concepts and S&OP and IBP
• experience in planning transformation programs and digital supply chain initiatives is a strong plus. Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage comp
• lex projects.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-m
• aking skills.Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder mana
• gement skillsExcellent collaboration and negot
• iation skillsStrong interpersonal and communication skills to build and sustain a vast range of working relationships across multiple functions, cultures, and the ability to flex styles for effecti

• ve influence.
  EDUCATION QU ALIFICATIONS: Master’s Degree/MBA from a reputed institute. Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, a