Use Case

Global S&OP Standardization & End-to-End Supply Planning

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The Planning Challenge

Heineken operates one of the world’s most complex brewing supply chains, serving nearly 190 markets with a portfolio of more than 350 beer brands produced across 160 breweries.

Managing planning decisions at this scale requires coordinating demand forecasts, production capacities, and inventory flows across dozens of operating companies.

As part of its Evergreen strategy and its Digital Backbone transformation program, Heineken needed to modernize its planning processes while maintaining consistency across markets.

The challenge was to move from locally developed planning tools toward a unified global S&OP framework capable of supporting both standardization and local market needs.

Results at a Glance

• Improved forecast accuracy and reduced forecast bias
• Faster and more consistent S&OP decision-making
• Stronger collaboration across operating companies
• Increased planner confidence and process visibility

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The Operational Environment

Heineken operates a highly complex global supply network.

Its operations include:

• More than 160 breweries worldwide
• A portfolio of over 350 brands
• Supply chain operations across nearly 190 markets

At this scale, planning decisions must continuously align demand signals, production capacity, and distribution flows across multiple regions and operating companies.

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The Transformation

Heineken partnered with Sunstice to deploy a global planning platform supporting its S&OP Fit program.

By integrating demand planning, supply planning, inventory management, into one unified ecosystem, the company established a standardized planning model across more than 40 operating companies.

The rollout was executed wave by wave, enabling markets to adopt the solution progressively while maintaining operational stability.

Customer Perspective

“The solution gives our planners a structure they can trust — a backbone that helps us manage complexity and run a more resilient supply chain.”

Anton de Romijn
Manager & Product Owner – Planning Solutions

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Structured Agility™ in Action

This transformation illustrates Structured Agility™, Sunstice’s operating framework for planning in environments characterized by scale, volatility, and operational complexity.

By standardizing planning processes while maintaining flexibility across operating companies, Heineken strengthened its ability to coordinate demand and supply decisions globally.

Planning becomes a scalable capability that supports faster decision-making, improved collaboration, and continuous operational improvement.