Demand Planner

Who are we looking for?

The Demand Planner will work closely with Commercial, Sales, Supply Chain, and Finance Teams, to create a robust Consensus Demand Plan and play a key role within the wider SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning) process.

This role reports functionally to the SIOP Manager, with strong alignment (dotted line) into the Commercial Organisation of which there are three Regions (Asia, EMEA & Americas).

Lead the alignment of numerous stakeholders to create a monthly Demand Plan for the next 24 months, including risks & opportunities.

This individual will ensure accurate demand reconciliation and be accountable for delivering against key performance metrics, striving for operational excellence across all Product Families. The successful candidate will ideally have experience using SAP IBP or similar demand planning/forecasting tools (e.g. Demantra, Anaplan). A good understanding of statistical forecast modelling and scenario planning would be advantageous.

This individual will need to be comfortable challenging and presenting to Commercial and Supply Chain stakeholders, using quantitative and qualitative data/information to influence decisions and translating large volumes of information into a clear Demand Plan.

What will you be doing?

Periodic Demand Planning & Forecasting.
Play a key role in the monthly Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP) Process. Providing cover for the SIOP Manager when required.

Produce and present the Consensus Demand Plan, with a key focus on creating an accurate medium to long-term demand forecasts across a large and complex SKU portfolio.

Identify significant changes in demand and ensure these are communicated effectively across the wider supply chain.

Analyse historical sales, customer demand, seasonality, market trends and promotional activity to develop robust forecasts.

Lead the forecasting process across multiple products, categories, customers and channels.

Ensure demand plans can be appropriately translated into supply planning & material purchasing requirements.

Work closely with Commercial and Sales teams to understand future demand, customer activity and market changes.

Ensure promotional activity, customer wins/losses and seasonal demand are incorporated into any forecasts.

Provide senior stakeholders with clear analysis around demand changes, business risks and opportunities. Collaborate with key stakeholders to deliver on critical KPI’s; OTD, Forecast Accuracy, Inventory amongst others.  

Prepare forecast related materials for customer-facing colleagues to share with key customers.

Lead the creation of standardised templates and processes for receiving forecasts from our customers.

Product Lifecycle Management

Develop initial forecasts for new products where limited historical data exists.

Manage demand implications associated with product transitions and delisting.

Minimise obsolete inventory when products are discontinued or superseded, make recommendations to Supply Chain colleagues.

Ensure new product launch dates are captured within Demand plans.

Work with Marketing and Product Management Teams to ensure consistent communication of product Commercialisation requirements.

Be a key figure in capturing PDP (Product Development Plans) which link to new product launches. This will involve liaising with R&D and Innovation Teams.

Challenge and Continuous Improvement

Help to drive greater cross-functional ownership of forecast accuracy.

Develop and identify improvement opportunities for the end-to-end demand planning process across the business.

Utilise CRM (Atlas) data to make informed qualitative & quantitative demand profiles.

Be a key Project stakeholder for the implementation of SAP IBP (Integrated Business Planning), expected go-live in 2027. IT solution currently in design phase.

Take an interest in Global market activity which could impact the demand on our Product Portfolios (e.g. Geopolitical topics.)

Identify significant changes in demand and ensure these are communicated effectively across the wider supply chain.

Continuously monitor and improve forecast accuracy and forecast bias.

Challenge unrealistic assumptions using data and historical performance as guidance.

Be a champion for adopting best practice methodologies and encourage cross functional continuous improvement.

Support the Commercial Teams to capture information from customers, encouraging the utilisation of IT platforms and automation.

Who Are You?

• A high level of accountability and attention to detail is required.
• Analytical and business acumen with good understanding of financial procedures.
• Good team facilitation and relationship building.
• Accomplished Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint & Power BI.
• Experience using ERP systems (ideally SAP or JDE).
• Desired background in SAP IBP or similar Forecasting Tools.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, as well as demonstrated strong interpersonal skills to communicate with all levels.
• Experience with Pareto and Root Cause Analysis.
• International travel may be required.

We are Offering...

Our people are the heart of our business and we offer an exceptional range of benefits when joining which include:

• 25 days holiday (plus Bank Hols)
• For this role, we are offering a salary starting from £39,000 per annum 
• Perfomance based Annual bonus scheme
• Private medical insurance
• Healthcare Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance
• Enhanced Company pension 
• Subsidised on-site canteen
• Free on-site parking
• Shopping discounts

This role is subject to a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Employment will be conditional upon receipt of a satisfactory DBS certificate. #LI-IF1