Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) Analyst

Job Description

Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) Analyst

BioFirst is a global player in biological pest and disease control and bumblebee pollination. It offers a full range of IPM (Integrated Pest Monitoring) solutions, including beneficial insects, predatory mites, bumblebees, insect pathogenic nematodes, biopesticides, biostimulants, biofertilisers and inoculants as well as high-tech monitoring and scouting. BioFirst has 32 production and/or distribution subsidiaries and employs 2800 employees worldwide. In addition, BioFirst has an extensive network of specialised distributors in an additional 50 countries and exports weekly to over 70 countries. BioFirst serves the horticultural market and the open field agricultural market, through four major brands: Biobest, BioWorks, Plant Products and Biotrop. 

Growth was achieved through both organic expansion and acquisitions, BioFirst is backed by, among others, two Belgian holding companies and several private equity funds.

In a context with production and distribution sites in all continents, ambitious growth targets and a very specific and challenging line of product, we are currently looking for an S&OP Analyst who will play a crucial role in the supply chain management at Beneficial Insectary who are part of the Biobest division and Biofirst Group.

Your role and key responsibilities

As the S&OP Analyst you will connect with demand and Supply stakeholders as well as provide the input needed for the forecast and planning system. You will optimize forecast accuracy, scenario’s and implement models that optimize supply and demand planning. Key Responsibilities:

Analyze data across relevant departments to uncover insights that inform and steer operational, tactical and strategical decisions.

·        Formulate recommendations within the S&OP context to management, in order to address operational, tactical and strategical challenges execute outcomes.

·        Generate weekly/monthly reports.

·        Drive the Sales & Operations Planning process to achieve optimal demand/supply management.

·        Liaise between the Sales, Operations and Supply Chain management teams for all aspects of the demand and supply management process.

·        Prepare, lead, and document monthly S&OP meetings.

·        Create improvement and scenario proposals for S&OP meetings.

·        Manage forecasts:

.   Ensure the correct input from sales departments

.   Ensure the production sites manage their production planning

.   Connect with purchase departments.

.   Setup of product and customer forecast groups aligned with finance, sales, reporting, master data, sales, production and supply chain stakeholders.

.   Provide the needed training and follow up

·        Optimally balance demand and supply, thereby striving to best service with best quality at the best total landed cost for the business.

Experience and Qualifications:

·        A knowledge of BI tools like Power Query, Qlik Sense, Power BI as well as advanced knowledge of Excel.

·        Prior experience in the agriculture industry or a related field (e.g., food production, agri-business, farming operations, or commodity-based supply chains) is strongly preferred.

·        Demonstrated experience with forecasts and one or more planning tool(s).

·        Experienced in data analytics, knowledge of how to mine large datasets and perform data modelling.

·        Excellent communication skills and know how to effectively liaise between different teams and stakeholders.

·        Strong problem-solving skills allowing you to create improvement and scenario proposals.

What can you expect from us?

·        BioFirst Group offers you the opportunity to have a significant and lasting impact on the company and on a more sustainable agriculture and horticulture.

·        Our collective efforts ensure strong annual growth, and we maintain a continuous focus on sustainability and social responsibility initiatives.

·        A close-knit team of colleagues, each with their own area of expertise, ensures a good atmosphere and a winner's mentality.