Senior Strategic Planning Leader

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Shape the Future of Planning & S&OP in MENA – Be the Strategic International Partner

We're seeking a visionary planning leader who thrives in a fast-paced, international environment. You'll combine strong strategic insight with operational know-how, and you're passionate about team development and cross-functional collaboration.

You will own and lead the end-to-end planning agenda—from balancing production capacity and material availability to optimizing daily operations and long-term planning. You will serve as the regional planning authority, embedding best-in-class practices, advancing digital capabilities, and driving performance through a dedicated Planning Centre of Excellence.

Reporting to the Head of MENA Supply Chain, you will represent MENA in global planning forums and collaborate cross-functionally to enable service excellence, inventory optimization, and sustainable growth.

The role is part of a passionate and high-performing leadership team responsible for overseeing operations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and plays a pivotal role in the MENA region. This team, consisting of 9 members and reporting directly to the Head of MENA Supply Chain, is deeply committed to a culture built around Lead, Sense, and Create. Collaboration, healthy challenge, and shared success are at the heart of how they work—driving functional excellence while supporting one another to achieve ambitious goals.

You will lead a diverse team comprising 5 direct reports and 14 indirect reports located across Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The team is made up of dedicated, engaged, and hardworking professionals who bring a rich mix of backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities—contributing to a dynamic and inclusive work environment.

This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of dairy by joining a worldwide cooperative dedicated to making a significant impact on the planet and steering the dairy industry towards a sustainable future.

• Define and execute the strategic roadmap for Planning and S&OP in line with Arla's regional and global goals, including digital transformation and sustainability.
• Lead a nd develop a high-performing planning team across Bahrain and KSA, fostering a culture built on Good Growth DNA, Good Values, and Good Leadership.
• Own and evolve the regional S&OP process—translating strategic decisions into actionable daily, weekly, and monthly planning activities to balance supply and demand.
• Champion a LEAN, safety-first, and quality-driven mindset, embedding operational best practices to maximize efficiency.
• Enhance and mature regional DRM, SRM, and S&OE processes to unlock value and deliver performance targets.
• Collaborate closely with commercial, operations, procurement, finance, and global stakeholders to ensure high service levels, optimized working capital, and delivery of regional EBIT.
• Leverage and advance data-driven tools and systems to drive smarter decision-making, support KPI achievement, and fuel process innovation.
• Represent MENA as a key business owner in global E2E planning forums—sharing insights, co-creating best practices, and influencing the global planning agenda.
• Lead or support regional projects and continuous improvement initiatives with measurable business impact, both financial and operational.
• Ensure full compliance with Arla's policies, ethical standards, and all Health & Safety regulations—setting the tone for responsible leadership.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Regional EBIT Delivery
• OTIF (On-Time In-Full)
• Forecast Accuracy (FC Accuracy)
• Finished Goods Waste
• Conversion Cost Optimization

You bring:

• Proven experience in leading Planning and S&OP functions, ideally within FMCG or the dairy industry.
• Strong people leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
• A Master's degree in Supply Chain Management, Operations, or a related field.
• Sound financial acumen and experience with project delivery and continuous improvement.
• Familiarity with SAP and other advanced planning systems.
• Excellent communication and decision-making skills, with the ability to navigate complexity and drive impact.

You will be part of a global organization committed to sustainable growth, innovation, and professional development. This role offers the opportunity to shape the future of planning in one of Arla's most dynamic regions—supported by a collaborative and forward-thinking team.