Operations and Planning Manager Job in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Job Description:
As an operations and planning manager, you will oversee the coordination of the supply and demand for passenger vehicles for Honda in both the UAE and international markets. Your primary responsibilities will include managing demand, sales planning, and sales operations for retail, corporate, and fleet customers. You will be tasked with developing annual sales and demand order plans and forecasting demand and sales across various distribution channels. Your focus will be optimizing stock turnover by minimizing excess and obsolete inventory. Additionally, you will facilitate communication between OEMs and internal teams, provide reporting and forecasting insights, and oversee campaign management and vehicle lifecycle support.

Your Responsibilities:
Develop a sales planning strategy to achieve brand market share and profitability targets.
Utilize the most reliable data to forecast market trends and segment model volumes, establishing appropriate budget and forecast assumptions for sales and inventory planning.
Manage flow from factory order to customer delivery, ensuring optimal stock levels and efficient cash management while influencing OEMs, suppliers, and relevant value chain teams.
Create detailed annual and quarterly sales and demand plans, specifying models and channels.
Prepare and assess forecast data regularly, reviewing with each distribution channel monthly to identify risks and opportunities for managing variability.
Lead initiatives to continuously improve forecast accuracy and bias, implementing industry best practices.
Develop and track key performance indicators to evaluate forecast accuracy and the effectiveness of demand planning.
Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to understand factors driving forecast demand.
Monitor stock levels and procedures, identifying overstock and slow-moving vehicles for resolution with product and sales support managers.
Provide ad hoc reporting, analysis, and presentations as needed.
Work closely with product, pricing, and distribution channels to review and improve sales performance.
Proactively identify and address sales and demand issues, deviating from planned targets.
Recommend monthly sales and demand plans by model and variant, supporting overall sales strategy.
Optimize stock levels by reviewing inventory policies and targeting service levels while monitoring aged stock.
Provide support for lifecycle management activities.
Coordinate data support with logistics to ensure timely inbound and clearance processes.
Develop dashboards for monitoring progress and adherence to processes.
Lead Kaizen initiatives and projects to reduce operational costs.
Take necessary actions and provide advice for effective inventory control.

Essential Skills for Success:
Proficient in OEM operations, sales, and demand planning, demonstrating hands-on experience within the automotive industry.
Advanced proficiency in data analytics, leveraging data insights effectively to drive informed decision-making.
Proven track record in reporting and forecasting across diverse brands, showcasing adaptability and versatility in analytical methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to deliver tangible commercial outcomes, exhibiting strong business acumen and strategic thinking in sales and operations management.

About the Team:
You’ll report directly to the Managing Director and collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications for Success:
A bachelor’s degree is required (MBA or MSC preferred).
Minimum of 5 years of experience in a multinational Sales and Marketing environment, preferably with leading Automotive brands.
Demonstrated experience in sales planning and demand order planning.
Extensive familiarity with inventory management systems and supply chain modules within various ERP systems.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Projects) and Power BI.