Demand Planning Lead

M-KOPA is a fintech and digital financial services company that provides smartphones and a range of financial products to everyday earners across sub-Saharan Africa, operating in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda. The company uses an asset-financing model that allows customers to make an initial deposit on a smartphone and then pay it off through affordable daily, weekly, or monthly installments, building a credit history in the process. This approach has enabled M-KOPA to serve over 10 million customers and unlock more than $2 billion in credit for individuals who are largely excluded from traditional financial systems. M-KOPA's suite of services extends beyond device ownership to include digital loans, health insurance, device protection, and affordable data bundles, all designed to expand economic opportunity for low-income populations. The company also operates a large network of over 35,000 sales agents, many of whom are themselves beneficiaries of the economic empowerment model M-KOPA promotes. M-KOPA has been recognized among the world's top fintech companies and continues to scale its impact across the African continent. While M-KOPA is primarily categorized as a fintech company, its roots are in the renewable energy and pay-as-you-go solar sector, where it pioneered off-grid solar solutions for underserved communities before expanding into smartphones and broader financial services. This evolution reflects the company's enduring mission to connect underserved populations to transformative technologies and financial tools that improve quality of life and drive sustainable economic inclusion.

We are looking for a Demand Planning Lead to join our Warehouse and Logistics group; as we scale up and drive digital and financial inclusion across our markets.

Job Purpose

The job holder is responsible for leading the demand planning process by analysing market trends, historical performance, sales inputs, and demand drivers to develop accurate forecasts. The role coordinates with cross-functional teams to optimise inventory levels, support timely product availability, minimise cost exposure, and improve operational efficiency. The Demand and Planning Lead will maintain effective forecasting models, monitor forecast accuracy, recommend corrective actions, and continuously improve demand planning processes to support business objectives.

Key Job Functions

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve demand forecast models using historical data, sales trends, market insights, and business assumptions.

• Lead the monthly demand planning cycle, including forecast reviews, exception-based planning, and SKU-level forecast submissions.

• Establish and monitor forecast accuracy metrics, analyse forecast variances, and communicate corrective actions to relevant stakeholders.

• Communicate forecast, inventory, and demand assumptions clearly to management and cross-functional teams to support informed decision-making.

• Monitor and report significant changes in sales forecasts, budgets, promotions, seasonal demand, new product introductions, and business strategies.

• Support inventory planning by identifying demand risks, supply constraints, slow-moving items, and opportunities to optimise safety stock levels.

• Conduct root-cause analysis on forecast discrepancies and demand-related issues, ensuring timely resolution and mitigation actions.

• Facilitate regular forecast review meetings with commercial, finance, supply chain, and management teams to align demand plans with business priorities.

• Contribute to annual budget planning by providing demand forecasts, sales trend analysis, and cost optimisation insights.

• Maintain demand planning processes, tools, and reporting routines to improve forecasting discipline, planning visibility, and operational performance.

Organisation Structure

Reports to the Demand Planning Manager.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

Education

• A recognised degree in Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience in demand planning, forecasting, inventory planning, supply chain analysis, or a related role.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of inventory management principles, demand planning processes, and supply chain operations.

• Strong analytical, mathematical, and statistical skills, with the ability to interpret data and identify demand patterns.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of integrated supply chain, ERP, or demand planning systems.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present forecasts, risks, and recommendations clearly.

• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, problem-solving ability, and attention to detail.

• Customer- and market-focused, with the ability to respond effectively to changing business priorities.

• Ability to multitask and deliver accurate outputs in a fast-paced environment.

Why M-KOPA?

At M-KOPA, we empower our people to own their careers through diverse development programs, coaching partnerships, and on-the-job training. We support individual journeys with family-friendly policies, prioritize well-being, and embrace flexibility.

Join us in shaping the future of M-KOPA as we grow together. Explore more at m-kopa.com.

Recognized four times by the Financial Times as one Africa's fastest growing companies (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026), named on CNBC's World’s Top Fintech Companies 2025 & 2026 and by TIME100 Most influential companies in the world 2023 and 2024 , we've served over 10 million customers, unlocking $2 billion in cumulative credit for the everyday earners across Africa, in addition to over 10,000 e-bikes financed in Kenya.

Important Notice

M-KOPA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained staff. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

M-KOPA explicitly prohibits the use of Forced or Child Labour and respects the rights of its employees to agree to terms and conditions of employment voluntarily, without coercion, and freely terminate their employment on appropriate notice. M-KOPA shall ensure that its Employees are of legal working age and shall comply with local laws for youth employment or student work, such as internships or apprenticeships. 

M-KOPA does not collect/charge any money as a pre-employment or post-employment requirement. This means that we never ask for ‘recruitment fees’, ‘processing fees’, ‘interview fees’, or any other kind of money in exchange for offer letters or interviews at any time during the hiring process.

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Shortlisting and interviews will take place at any stage during the recruitment process. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a suitable candidate is selected before the advertised closing date.

If your application is successful M-KOPA undertakes pre-employment background checks as part of its recruitment process, these include; criminal records, identification verification, academic qualifications, employment dates and employer references.