Advanced Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) for Demand Forecasting

• An understanding of supply chain management principles
• Experience with demand planning and forecasting techniques
• Basic proficiency in using Excel or supply chain analytics tools

Audience

• Demand planners
• Supply chain professionals
• Operations managers

Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) is a structured process that helps organizations align supply and demand by integrating forecasting, inventory management, and operational planning.

This instructor-led, live training (online or onsite) is aimed at intermediate-level to advanced-level supply chain professionals who wish to improve demand forecasting accuracy and optimize S&OP processes.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Enhance statistical forecast accuracy and reduce demand variability.
• Implement best practices in S&OP for perishable and non-perishable products.
• Utilize advanced forecasting techniques and data analytics for demand planning.
• Optimize cross-functional collaboration between sales, operations, and supply chain teams.
• Leverage digital tools for better S&OP decision-making.

Format of the Course

• Interactive lecture and discussion.
• Lots of exercises and practice.
• Hands-on implementation in a live-lab environment.

Course Customization Options

• To request a customized training for this course, please contact us to arrange.

Introduction to S&OP

• What is Sales and Operations Planning?
• Key benefits and challenges of S&OP
• The S&OP cycle and its integration with supply chain planning

Demand Forecasting Techniques

• Statistical forecasting methods (moving averages, exponential smoothing)
• Machine learning and AI in demand forecasting
• Handling seasonality, trends, and demand variability

Data Analytics for S&OP

• Data sources and demand signal analysis
• Using Excel and Power BI for demand planning
• Building data-driven forecasting models

Optimizing Forecast Accuracy

• Identifying forecast errors and bias
• Techniques to improve forecast accuracy
• Best practices for aligning cross-functional teams

Inventory and Supply Planning

• Balancing inventory levels with demand fluctuations
• Optimizing replenishment strategies
• Managing perishable vs. non-perishable products

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Aligning sales, operations, and finance in S&OP
• Building consensus in forecasting and planning
• Effective communication strategies in S&OP meetings

Technology and Tools for S&OP

• Overview of modern S&OP software
• Implementing digital dashboards for real-time decision-making
• Case studies on successful S&OP implementations

Continuous Improvement in S&OP

• Monitoring and refining the S&OP process
• Measuring key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Strategies for achieving a 95% forecast accuracy

Summary and Next Steps