Building on a strong legacy of almost 150 years, we are leading the way to reimagine and improve life every day. Today and for generations to come. Through our innovative and sustainable brands and technologies, across our teams around the world.
Henkel holds leading positions in both industrial and consumer businesses: Our portfolio includes well-known hair care products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners as well as adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings.
Business Planner
Apply for this role
About this Position
The key purpose of the role is to act as a local demand planner for Industrial South Africa who works closely together with local marketing and sales functions to ensure demand planning processes are well established and consolidated in the country.
The role-holder would be able to independently handle interactions with several cross-functional stakeholders and deliver a clear and accurate Business Plan.
What you´ll do
- Forecasting & S&OP Process:
- Owns and ensures high-quality demand plans by integrating market insights from Sales and Marketing
- Led the monthly S&OP cycle (Demand, Supply, Executive), driving cross-functional alignment and timely decision-making
- Actively participated in S&OE meetings to ensure short-term execution alignment
- Develops, enriches, and finalizes mid and long-term demand forecasts using statistical baselines and market intelligence
- Identifies future events, promotions, product launches, and market changes impacting demand
- Continuously improves forecast accuracy through analysis and root-cause reviews
- Establishes clear demand communication processes across local & regional stakeholders
- Actively challenges commercial assumptions to balance growth ambition with supply and inventory realities
- Coaches and upskills local sales teams on demand planning and forecasting discipline.
- Collaborates with Supply Planning to optimize inventory, production planning, inter-market supply, and third-party sourcing
- Manages and maintains product lifecycle data (new products, replacements, phase-outs)
- Drives inventory performance, including inventory days on hand and slow-mover reduction
- Owned and drove slow-mover and scrap reduction initiatives through structured monthly review meetings
- Closely collaborate with sales team to educate customers on the forecasting process to improve demand reliability
- Led cross-functional task forces and crisis meetings to resolve supply and demand disruptions and ensure business continuity
- Escalates demand–supply gaps with clear scenarios and recommendations for management decisions
- Monitors and reports key KPIs (forecast accuracy, Bias, portfolio optimization, inventory levels, premium freight, OSMI, Scrap)
- Aligns with Finance, Sales, Marketing, Purchasing, Production, and regional teams to ensure S&OP effectiveness
- Analyses demand and supply trends to propose improvements in service, cost, and inventory performance
- Analyse specific country challenges (large distance, long lead time, air freight profile, etc.) and create contingency scenarios and right stock management
What makes you a good fit
- Exceptional S&OP knowledge
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management
- Minimum matric qualification
Some perks of joining Henkel
- Flexible work scheme with flexible hours, hybrid work model, and work from anywhere policy for up to 30 days per year
- Diverse national and international growth opportunities
- Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
- Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
- Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
- Annual 1 month bonus
- 66.67% company contribution to Medical Aid
- Subsidised canteen
- Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programmes
At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We look for a diverse team of individuals who possess different backgrounds, experiences, personalities and mindsets.
JOB ID: req82461
Job Locations: South Africa, Gauteng, Johannesburg-Bedfordview
Contact information for application-related questions: recruitment.ssa@henkel.com
Please do not use this email address for sending your application or CV. To apply, please click on the "Apply for this role" button below. Applications sent via e-mail will not be accepted.
Application Deadline: As long as the vacancy is listed on our Career Site, we are happy to receive your application
Job-Center: If you have an application already, you can create or log in to your account here to check the status of your application. In case of new account creation, please use your email address that you applied with.
About Henkel
FAQ
I am interested in several jobs. Can I apply for multiple positions at the same time?
Yes – simply fill out your profile in our online application system. Once your online profile is complete, you can apply for multiple positions.
The job offer is written in English. Should I write my application in English as well?
Yes, please. As Henkel is an international company, you will be working with colleagues from all over the world, and English is our official company language. Generally, our recommendation is to please write the application in the same language as the job ad.
Do I get feedback during the application process about the state of my application?
Each position that we have open with Henkel is unique, and finding the right candidate is important for both the hired candidate as well as for Henkel. We want to make sure that both the candidate and the company are a good fit for each other. We will provide feedback to the candidates throughout the entire process.
Can employees move between business areas and/or to a different country?
Yes, in fact, it is our expectation that Henkel employees will want to grow and explore different career paths during their time with us. This helps to support the company on a broad, global level.
Our “Triple Two” philosophy promotes this expectation, by allowing you to work in at least two different roles, in two different business areas and in two different countries. The reason behind this philosophy is that we believe working in different roles, business units and functions is good for your personal development and improves your understanding of Henkel as a global company.
If I have questions regarding my application, who do I contact?
Our recruiting team will help you with all requests regarding your application. Contact the team here.