Page 18 - August 2020 Inform (H-F200)

Gazelle
Update
Covid-19 created significant challenges for every part of the SHS Group including the Gazelle programme. Divisions understandably had to prioritise the health and safety of colleagues whilst ensuring continuity of supply to customers. The Gazelle team subsequently paused to review and adapt timelines, supporting the business priorities during these unprecedented times.
Remote working has added additional challenges
for the team as delivering a business transformation programme without being able to have face to face interaction to discuss and review key programme deliverables has been difficult. As restrictions start to ease, the team will assess communication options and continue to ensure new ways of working are tested and successfully embedded over the coming months.
Covid-19 dramatically impacted planning decisions and as a result recently implemented planning tools and processes had to be taken offline for a period
of time. The fact that many of the operational and management reports required to run an effective IBP cycle were not available when the crisis began also exacerbated the situation.
Within Drinks, Gazelle tools are live and being used by Demand Planners and the Sales Teams. Transactional planning is now taking place in our new tools with a focus on using technology to ensure the IBP cycle starts to deliver commercial and operational value. The Drinks and Gazelle teams are working in collaboration to ensure the new tools and processes are delivering the expected outcomes. Real progress has been made in stabilising the systems, developing and delivering the reporting required for the Drinks team to effectively manage their business. This work will also benefit the wider Group as further roll outs are
completed. THANK YOU to everyone for helping to deliver the new solution!
Within the Condiments & Sauces division, the pandemic arrived as testing of new tools and processes got underway. Key personnel working with the Gazelle team were required to support efforts to supply customers and hence there was a postponement of the roll out. The plan is for Gazelle to be reactivated in Q4, with delivery to be completed at the end of Q1 2021 and the teams are working together to resolve outstanding issues and meet this deadline.
The timing of the Gazelle roll out with the GB and Ireland Agency divisions has remained largely unchanged. The roll out of the new tools will begin at the end of August to help the teams plan for Budget 2021. John and Des’ teams have worked alongside the Gazelle team for the last 2-3 months to prepare for the expected changes. Super User forums are up and running, recruitment where required is underway and Agency specific challenges are being addressed. Undoubtedly, the Drinks roll out experience will
help us to identify areas that are likely to be most challenging.
For Gazelle, Covid-19 has challenged everything, but changed nothing. It remains as true today, as it did nearly 3 years ago when the Gazelle team started the journey, that the SHS Group’s ability to plan, price and report more effectively will deliver tangible commercial, operational and competitive benefits. The agility and flexibility that everyone has demonstrated over the last four months will be important as we move forward and this ownership, combined with embedded Gazelle tools, processes and behaviours, will underpin a new era of effective and efficient ways of working.
18