SEN KALAIN
Aintree
Summary
A results-driven Supply Chain and Production Planning Professional with over 8 years of comprehensive experience in managing end-to-end supply chain operations, including demand planning, raw material planning, production planning, inventory management, and logistics. Expertise in implementing lean manufacturing principles and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs. Proven ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to align production and supply plans with organizational goals. Demonstrated success in optimizing working capital, managing complex supply networks, and delivering data-driven solutions in fast-paced environments.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Demand Planning Leader
Mars Australia
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Led weekly demand planning operations, driving the analysis of customer and vendor demand to develop and refine accurate forecasts, ensuring alignment with production schedules and business objectives
- Collaborated closely with sales, marketing, and supply chain teams to adjust forecasts based on promotional plans, product launches, and market trends, optimizing inventory levels and production capacity
- Implemented innovative solutions to improve forecast accuracy, enhancing the efficiency of production and inventory management while minimizing stockouts and overstock situations
- Conducted comprehensive risk assessments, providing strategic support to management and proactively contributing to effective mitigation strategies
- Championed the creation and optimization of demand planning processes, continuously refining methodologies to improve forecast precision and streamline material flow
- Utilized advanced forecasting tools and statistical models to enhance forecast accuracy, incorporating historical data, market trends, and customer insights
- Partnered with production and operations teams to assess capacity requirements, ensuring production schedules aligned with forecasted demand and available resources
- Acted as the key liaison between supply planning, sales, and marketing teams, ensuring the demand plan was balanced and aligned with production schedules and inventory needs
Customer Logistics Manager
The Kraft Heinz Company
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Acted as the primary point of contact for Kraft Heinz, fostering and nurturing strong and trusted relationships with our customers
- Identified and spearheaded strategic initiatives, including the development of Joint Business Plans, while effectively managing associated risks and opportunities
- Provided valuable input and recommendations for the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process, integrating customer-specific data to analyse sales trends, assess new items, evaluate distribution changes, and measure promotional performance
- Oversaw the preparation and execution of contract mechanisms, including the proficient management of purchase orders to ensure contractual obligations were met
- Managed end-to-end logistics for project activities, including training, workshops, office operations, and logistical support to ensure seamless execution
- Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with major suppliers to secure timely and quality-assured commodities for the company
- Collaborated with the team to coordinate and efficiently resolve procurement issues, contributing to streamlined operations
- Uphold and exemplified the Kraft Heinz values while actively contributing to the company's overarching vision
- Successfully established end-to-end (E2E) cost-saving and cost-avoidance initiatives, resulting in improved operational efficiency and financial benefits
Production Planner - Golden Circle
The Kraft Heinz Company
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Managed production planning for a portfolio of 130 SKUs, including Golden Circle branded beverages and canned pineapple, ensuring optimal production and inventory management
- Coordinated production across 5 beverage lines and 11 canning lines, effectively managing seasonal demand fluctuations and raw material availability to ensure timely delivery of finished goods
- Collaborated closely with head office and on-site teams to optimize service levels and improve production performance in line with the established production plan
- Developed and implemented both short-term and long-term inventory management strategies to ensure optimal capacity utilization, resource allocation, and minimal downtime
- Utilized advanced production scheduling techniques to optimize workflows, reduce lead times, and maximize throughput across multiple production lines
- Streamlined communication and coordination between production, supply chain, and logistics teams to ensure smooth operations and minimize disruptions in the production process
- Spearheaded long-term materials planning initiatives, particularly for processed crops, to ensure a stable and sustainable supply chain while mitigating supply risks
- Managed alternate Bill of Materials formulations to diversify sourcing options, strengthening the supply chain and mitigating risks related to raw material shortages
- Conducted regular capacity planning assessments to ensure production schedules were aligned with available resources, balancing production demand with factory capabilities
- Monitored production performance metrics, identifying areas for improvement and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and reduce production costs
- Implemented lean manufacturing principles to optimize production processes, minimize waste, and improve overall plant efficiency
- Led the development of contingency plans to address potential supply chain disruptions, ensuring business continuity and the ability to meet customer demand under challenging circumstances
Supply Planner - Deployment & Co-Pack
The Kraft Heinz Company
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Planned, ordered, and managed inventory for a diverse portfolio of 80 SKUs across 32 third-party manufacturers, overseeing supply chains for both Australia and New Zealand
- Efficiently managed over 20 SKUs with lead times exceeding 4 months, coordinating with international suppliers to ensure uninterrupted supply chain flow
- Conducted daily root cause analyses to address out-of-stock issues and missed deliveries, ensuring operational efficiency and customer satisfaction
- Led the management of new product developments (NPDs) while optimizing resource allocation by reducing slow-moving and obsolete (SLOB) inventory for discontinued products
- Achieved an impressive 98.5% case fill rate and maintained a record of no long-term out-of-stocks for Golden Circle products, driving customer retention and revenue growth
- Played a key role as the supply lead for new NPDs from European suppliers, successfully integrating these products into the supply chain with precision
Education
Bachelor of Business - Accounting
Victoria University
01.2014
Victorian Certificate of Education -
Braybrook College
01.2006
Skills
- Production Scheduling & Inventory Control
- End-to-End Supply Chain Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
- Lean Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement
- Data-Driven Decision Making & Performance Analysis
- Supply & Production Planning Leadership
- Process Design & Program Implementation
- Demand analysis
- Supply chain optimization
Languages
English
Tamil
Sinhala
Timeline
Demand Planning Leader
Mars Australia
01.2022 - 01.2024
Customer Logistics Manager
The Kraft Heinz Company
01.2021 - 01.2022
Production Planner - Golden Circle
The Kraft Heinz Company
01.2018 - 01.2021
Supply Planner - Deployment & Co-Pack
The Kraft Heinz Company
01.2017 - 01.2018
Victorian Certificate of Education -
Braybrook College
Bachelor of Business - Accounting
Victoria University
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