Senior Manager - Global S&OP & Demand Planning Lead

Zug, CH, 6300

Role Overview

As Senior Manager – Global S&OP & Demand Planning Lead, the role is responsible for designing, governing, and scaling Holcim’s global Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and demand planning framework across all regions and business segments.

The position leads the global demand planning strategy, ensuring forecast accuracy improvement, bias reduction, and inventory optimization, while connecting commercial strategy, operations capacity, and logistics performance. The role also oversees the deployment and continuous enhancement of the Group’s AI-based demand planning engine (Holcim Foresight).

Operating in a complex multi-segment, multi-country environment (Cement, Aggregates, RMX, Mortar across 30+ countries), the role ensures that planning becomes a strategic margin protection lever and enables differentiated service (premium vs. standard).

Key Responsibilities

1. Global S&OP Framework & Governance

• Define and govern the global S&OP framework and maturity roadmap

• Standardize planning processes, KPIs, and executive review cadence (Quarterly update)

• Align commercial forecasts with operational and logistics capacity

• Ensure integration between demand, supply, and financial planning

• Lead global S&OP performance reviews with regions

2. Global Demand Planning Leadership

• Define global demand planning standards and methodologies

• Drive forecast accuracy improvement and bias monitoring

• Ensure proper segmentation logic (premium vs. standard service levels)

• Support inventory target definition and service trade-off decisions

• Consolidate global planning performance dashboards

3. AI Planning System (Holcim Foresight) Governance

• Own the functional roadmap of the AI demand planning tool

• Translate business needs into system enhancements

• Prioritize developments and manage global rollout (incl. Team in India)

• Ensure adoption across regions through strong change management

• Monitor forecast uplift and business impact

4. Performance & Business Impact

• Link forecast improvements to cost-to-serve optimization

• Reduce inventory volatility and working capital intensity

• Support network optimization and capacity planning initiatives

• Improve service reliability and reduce last-minute freight escalation

5. Change Management & Capability Building

• Develop global S&OP capabilities across countries

• Build a network of local planning champions

• Provide structured training and maturity assessments

• Act as subject matter expert for planning excellence

6. Cross-Functional Leadership

• Interface with Commercial, Operations, Logistics, Finance, and IT

• Support Smart Room / Control Tower initiatives

• Contribute to the 2030 NextGen Logistics roadmap

• Ensure planning becomes a competitive advantage, not just an operational process

Required Qualifications & Skills

1. Technical / functional skills:

• Strong expertise in S&OP / Integrated Business Planning

• Advanced demand forecasting knowledge (statistical & AI-based)

• Experience in digital planning systems

• Strong analytical & financial acumen (cost-to-serve, inventory optimization)

• Experience in global transformation programs

2. Behavioural competencies:

• Strategic and structured thinker

• Data-driven and results-oriented

• Strong influencing skills in matrix organization

• Resilient and comfortable with ambiguity

• Clear and executive-level communication skills

3. Leadership and managerial abilities:

• Ability to lead globally without direct authority

• Strong change management capability

• Coaching and capability-building mindset

• Structured execution and prioritization skills

Education / Qualification

• Master’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business or related field

Language Requirements

• Fluent in English

• Additional languages are an advantage

Benefits

• Hybrid work contract
• Family Support: Subsidized childcare and paid maternity/paternity leave
• Professional Growth: Company-sponsored training and professional development.
• Discounts and Perks: Subsidized meals, exclusive discounts, and company gifts for special occasions.
• Long-service awards
• Employee referral bonus
• Pension and Savings: Access to a comprehensive pension fund and an employee savings scheme.

Holcim is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We support equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, national origin, gender, sexuality, disability, or age.