From forecasting friction to strategic alignment
A fast-growing solar technology provider, with manufacturing operations in Asia and a rapidly expanding commercial footprint across Europe, was navigating the complexities of a dynamic consumer market. With new sales offices opening across Europe and demand patterns shifting quickly, the company faced increasing pressure to maintain forecasting accuracy. Long supply lead times and short product life cycles further amplified the risk of obsolete inventory and misaligned planning.
Ambition: One plan, one direction
To support sustainable growth and operational resilience, the company set out to elevate its Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) capabilities. The goal: to align commercial ambitions with supply realities and financial targets through a unified, forward-looking planning process.
How we helped: From fragmented inputs to a cohesive planning framework
Through a series of structured stakeholder interviews and collaborative workshops, the organization gained a clear view of its current S&OP maturity. Sales teams were actively engaged to embed forecasting into the broader supply chain rhythm, also Finance and R&D teams were involved to ensure cross-functional alignment. Through a series of targeted workshops, we supported the client in assessing their current business planning practices, using the APICS standards for Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) as benchmarks. This approach enabled the client to formulate a clear and actionable vision for implementing Integrated Business Planning (IBP) within their organization.
Results: A roadmap for resilience and growth
As a result of our collaboration, we inspired the client to develop their own roadmap toward integrated business planning. This roadmap will enable them to respond more effectively to the dynamics of their volatile business environment in the most economically efficient way. In doing so, Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) will become a key contributor to the company’s continued success.
Looking to align your commercial and operational strategies for long-term success? Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
