Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP)

COURSE DURATION 5 DAYS

Dates: 20^th – 24^th July 2026

 

Aligning Sales and Marketing with Operational Functions

 

Introduction

The Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) Training Course is a strategic guide for organizations seeking to enhance coordination between their commercial and operational functions. In today’s fast-evolving market, businesses must respond swiftly to changing demand while ensuring resource optimization and cost efficiency. This S&OP Training Course addresses that critical need by equipping participants with the tools to develop an integrated planning process that bridges sales, marketing, operations, and finance.

 

By fostering transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making, this training course empowers professionals to optimize business performance, enhance forecast accuracy, and drive sustainable growth across the supply chain and service domains.

 

Highlights of the Course

This comprehensive ALARDI Africa Sales and Operations Planning Course emphasizes the pivotal role of senior leadership in championing the planning process. It introduces Manufacturing Planning and Control (MPC) concepts and demonstrates how S&OP can serve as a unifying framework for aligning demand with supply. Delegates will learn how to build a reliable S&OP model, analyze demand and capacity, and facilitate cross-functional collaboration to support financial and operational targets.

 

Training Objectives

By attending this Sales and Operations Planning Training Course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance of balancing supply and demand to support financial objectives
• Design and implement a robust S&OP framework for both supply chain and service-driven businesses
• Recognize the strategic role of demand forecasting in the S&OP process
• Highlight the value of senior management and CEO involvement in driving successful S&OP outcomes
• Align organizational planning practices with the S&OP model for enhanced operational efficiency

 

Who Should Attend?

This S&OP Training Course is ideal for professionals involved in aligning commercial and operational strategy. It is especially beneficial for:

• Executive Management and Decision-Makers
• Supply Chain and Logistics Managers
• Finance Managers involved in planning and budgeting
• Production and Operations Managers
• Professionals responsible for strategic planning and forecasting

 

Organizational Impact

Some of the benefits of effective sales and operations planning process include:

• Increased customer service levels.
• Improved profitability.
• Higher product revenues.
• Lower inventories and obsolescence.
• Reduced lead times.
• Quicker responsiveness.
• Top-down management control.
• Predictable operating performance for shareholders.

 

Personal Impact

• Make the best use of time and resources
• Drive better decision-making
• Get greater visibility into their supply chain

 

Training Methodology

This Sales and Operations Planning Training Course by ALARDI Africa employs a practical, participant-focused approach to ensure effective learning and real-world application. The training will blend expert-led presentations with hands-on exercises, case studies, and group discussions to deepen understanding of key S&OP concepts and tools.

 

Participants will engage in scenario-based workshops simulating real business environments to practice developing and implementing S&OP processes. Interactive activities will encourage knowledge sharing and critical thinking, while structured debriefs will reinforce learning outcomes. The course also incorporates forecast modeling techniques and best practices from successful global organizations to help attendees contextualize their learning.

By combining theoretical insights with experiential learning, this training ensures that participants leave with actionable strategies they can immediately apply within their own operations.

 

Course Outline

 

Day One: S&OP overview

• Evolution of ERP and role of S&OP
• The S&OP Journey
• End-to-End Supply Chains
• Technology in S&OP
• S&OP Process
• Definitions of S&OP

 

Day Two: Demand Management

• The Nature of Demand
• Forecasting
• Calculating Forecasts
• Forecast Management
• Uses of Forecasts
• Forecasting Exercise

 

Day Three: Inventory Management

• Why do we need Inventory?
• Types and Functions of Inventory
• Financial Considerations of Inventory
• Setting Inventory Levels
• Reorder Processes
• Inventory Management Exercise

• Strategic Supply Decisions
• Time Fences and How to Manage Them
• Linking Supply to S&OP
• Capacity Issues
• Scheduling
• Supply Exercise

 

Day Five: Putting it all together

• Risk Management
• Risks Potential and Realized
• Categorising Risk
• Reducing Risk
• Risk Exercise
• S&OP Exercise

 

Certificate

• On successful completion of this training course, the ALARDI Africa Certificate will be issued to the participants.

Venue:

 

Kenya-Nairobi                               Cost USD 1800

Dates: 20^th – 24^th July 2026