Demand Planner – Sales Forecasting
HR Service Jobs
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Job summary
HR Service Jobs is seeking a Demand Planner – Sales Forecasting to support forecasting, demand planning, and inventory optimization. You will predict future demand, analyze historical sales, identify trends, and translate business information into reliable forecasts for strategic decisions.
The role requires strong analytical thinking, commercial awareness, and effective communication. You will monitor forecast accuracy, identify risks, and recommend improvements to ensure product availability
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in SCM, business, economics or related field preferred.
- Postgraduate qualifications in supply chain or analytics advantageous.
- Training or certifications in demand planning, forecasting, or inventory management desirable.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain sales forecasts using historical data and market intelligence.
- Prepare short-, medium-, and long-term demand forecasts for planning.
- Analyze sales patterns, product performance, and seasonal effects.
- Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain to align forecasts.
- Monitor forecast accuracy and provide corrective actions to improve reliability.
- Coordinate with procurement and logistics to align inventory with forecasts.
- Prepare regular forecasting reports and dashboards for stakeholders.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
HR Service Jobs is seeking a detail-oriented, analytical, and results-driven Demand Planner – Sales Forecasting to support sales forecasting, demand planning, and inventory optimization activities. The successful candidate will play an important role in predicting future product demand, analyzing historical sales performance, identifying market trends, and translating business information into reliable forecasts that support strategic decision-making.
The Demand Planner will collaborate closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Procurement, Inventory Management, and Supply Chain teams to develop accurate and actionable demand plans. This role requires the ability to interpret complex datasets, understand customer purchasing patterns, evaluate seasonal demand fluctuations, and anticipate changes in market conditions that may influence sales performance.
The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical thinking with commercial awareness and effective communication skills. By monitoring forecast accuracy, identifying potential risks, and recommending improvements, the Demand Planner will help the organization maintain appropriate inventory levels, reduce unnecessary operational costs, improve product availability, and achieve its sales objectives.
This position is suitable for professionals who enjoy working with data, solving business problems, and contributing to a coordinated sales and supply chain planning process.
1. Sales Forecasting and Demand Planning
Develop, maintain, and regularly update sales forecasts using historical sales data, market intelligence, customer demand patterns, and business projections.
Prepare short-term, medium-term, and long-term demand forecasts to support operational planning and strategic business objectives.
Analyze historical sales volumes, revenue trends, product performance, and customer purchasing behavior to identify recurring patterns.
Incorporate seasonal variations, promotional campaigns, product launches, pricing changes, and market developments into forecasting models.
Work with relevant stakeholders to develop a reliable consensus forecast that reflects both statistical analysis and commercial insights.
Evaluate alternative forecasting scenarios to help management prepare for potential changes in customer demand.
2. Data Analysis and Forecast Accuracy
Collect, consolidate, validate, and analyze sales data from internal reporting systems and relevant business sources.
Compare forecasted sales against actual performance to identify significant differences and emerging trends.
Monitor forecast accuracy, forecast bias, and demand variability using appropriate performance indicators.
Conduct root-cause analysis to determine why forecasts differ from actual sales results.
Recommend corrective actions to improve forecast reliability and minimize recurring forecasting errors.
Maintain accurate forecasting records, document assumptions, and ensure that reports are consistent and dependable.
3. Collaboration with Sales and Marketing Teams
Partner with Sales and Marketing teams to understand sales targets, promotional plans, customer opportunities, and changing market conditions.
Gather sales representatives input regarding customer requirements, competitive developments, and anticipated purchasing activity.
Evaluate the expected impact of marketing campaigns, discounts, product introductions, and special sales initiatives on demand.
Challenge unrealistic sales assumptions constructively by using historical performance, market evidence, and analytical findings.
Communicate forecast updates and significant demand changes to relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.
Participate in sales review meetings and demand planning discussions to ensure alignment across departments.
4. Inventory and Supply Chain Coordination
Coordinate with supply planning, procurement, warehouse, and logistics teams to align demand forecasts with inventory and replenishment requirements.
Help identify potential stock shortages, excess inventory, slow-moving products, and obsolete stock risks.
Provide forecast information that supports purchasing decisions, production schedules, and inventory allocation.
Assess the potential operational impact of unexpected increases or decreases in demand.
Support the development of appropriate inventory strategies based on demand variability, product importance, and service requirements.
Recommend adjustments to demand plans when supply constraints or significant customer changes arise.
5. Reporting and Business Intelligence
Prepare regular sales forecasting reports, demand summaries, performance dashboards, and management presentations.
Translate complex data into clear insights and practical recommendations for business stakeholders.
Track key performance indicators, including forecast accuracy, forecast bias, sales growth, inventory turnover, and product availability.
Use spreadsheet tools, business intelligence platforms, and forecasting systems to improve reporting efficiency.
Identify opportunities to automate repetitive reporting activities and improve data quality.
Present significant forecast changes, emerging risks, and demand opportunities to management.
6. New Product and Market Planning
Support demand forecasting for new product launches using comparable products, market research, customer feedback, and sales assumptions.
Evaluate product life-cycle changes, including product introductions, growth, maturity, and discontinuation.
Analyze regional, customer-specific, and product-category demand patterns to identify opportunities for improved planning.
Assist with scenario planning for new markets, distribution changes, and potential shifts in customer preferences.
Monitor external factors that could influence sales performance, including competitive activity and broader market developments.
7. Continuous Improvement and Risk Management
Identify opportunities to improve forecasting processes, planning systems, and cross-functional collaboration.
Maintain appropriate documentation of forecasting assumptions, methodologies, and adjustments.
Highlight potential demand risks early and recommend practical mitigation strategies.
Participate in process improvement initiatives involving sales planning, inventory management, and business reporting.
Maintain the confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity of company sales information.
Perform additional planning and analytical duties as reasonably required by management.
- A bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Commerce, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Operations Management, Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred.
- Relevant postgraduate qualifications in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, or Operations Management may be advantageous.
- Professional training or certifications in demand planning, forecasting, inventory management, or supply chain operations are desirable.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, lookup functions, data cleaning, and analytical reporting.
- Understanding of sales forecasting techniques, demand planning principles, and basic statistical analysis.
- Familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and demand planning systems, such as SAP, Oracle, or comparable platforms.
- Knowledge of Power BI, Tableau, or other business intelligence tools is an advantage.
- Ability to organize large datasets, identify discrepancies, and produce meaningful reports.
- Familiarity with inventory management, replenishment planning, and sales and operations planning (S&OP) is beneficial.
- Strong numerical, analytical, and critical-thinking abilities.
- Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to explain forecasting results and assumptions clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Practical problem-solving skills and the confidence to recommend data-driven improvements.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across multiple departments.
- Adaptability when priorities, customer requirements, and market conditions change.
- Typically, 2–5 years of relevant experience in demand planning, sales forecasting, business analysis, supply chain planning, inventory management, or a related field is preferred.
- Candidates with experience in retail, manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), wholesale distribution, e-commerce, or other sales-driven industries may be particularly suitable.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing historical sales data and preparing forecasts is desirable.
- Experience monitoring forecast accuracy, investigating demand variances, and preparing management reports is an advantage.
- Familiarity with ERP systems, forecasting software, and business intelligence tools will be beneficial.
- Experience collaborating with Sales, Marketing, Finance, Procurement, and Supply Chain teams is preferred.
- Candidates with strong analytical abilities and relevant academic or practical project experience may also be considered for junior-level opportunities, depending on business requirements.
Employment Type: Full-time.
Typical Schedule: Monday to Friday, with standard business hours determined by the employer.
Working Hours: Generally 40 hours per week, subject to the applicable employment arrangement and local regulations.
Work Arrangement: Office-based, hybrid, or remote, depending on the position and company policy.
Flexibility: Occasional flexibility may be required during monthly forecasting cycles, reporting deadlines, business reviews, or urgent planning activities.
Collaboration: Employees may need to attend virtual or in-person meetings with cross-functional teams across different locations or time zones.
The final schedule, work location, and employment terms will be confirmed during recruitment.
Understanding of statistical forecasting, trend analysis, seasonality, and demand variability.
Ability to combine quantitative forecasts with commercial information and stakeholder input.
Knowledge of forecasting assumptions, demand drivers, and common sources of forecast error.
Understanding of sales performance, revenue trends, customer demand, and market dynamics.
Ability to connect sales forecasts with purchasing requirements, inventory availability, and operational costs.
Awareness of how pricing decisions, promotions, product launches, and market changes influence demand.
Ability to interpret numerical information and identify meaningful business patterns.
Competence in spreadsheet analysis, reporting, data validation, and performance measurement.
Ability to prepare forecasting scenarios and explain the assumptions behind projected results.
Willingness to learn new forecasting applications, planning systems, and analytical methods.
Ability to build productive working relationships with internal stakeholders.
Confidence in presenting analytical findings and discussing forecast changes.
Ability to gather information from multiple departments and reconcile differing assumptions.
Professional approach to handling confidential sales data and sensitive business information.
High standards of accuracy, accountability, and professional integrity.
Ability to prioritize work and meet recurring reporting deadlines.
Proactive approach to identifying risks and proposing improvements.
Willingness to accept feedback, develop technical expertise, and contribute to team objectives.
- Competitive Compensation: Salary aligned with the candidates qualifications, experience, and responsibilities.
- Performance Recognition: Opportunities for recognition or performance-related incentives where offered under the applicable compensation policy.
- Professional Development: Access to relevant training, learning resources, and opportunities to strengthen forecasting and analytical skills.
- Career Advancement: Potential progression into senior demand planning, supply chain analytics, sales operations, or planning management roles.
- Collaborative Work Environment: Opportunities to work with colleagues across Sales, Finance, Marketing, Procurement, and Operations.
- Technology and Tools: Access to relevant software, reporting platforms, and planning systems required for the role.
- Work-Life Balance: Working arrangements and leave benefits in accordance with the applicable employment policy.
- Employee Support: Access to eligible employee benefits and workplace support programs, where available.
- Specific benefits, salary details, paid leave, insurance coverage, incentives, and remote-work eligibility will be communicated during the recruitment process. These benefits should not be considered guaranteed unless confirmed in the official offer.
Joining HR Service Jobs in the Demand Planner – Sales Forecasting role offers an opportunity to develop a career at the intersection of data analytics, commercial planning, and supply chain management.
The position provides a platform to turn sales information into practical business insights, support informed decision-making, and contribute to improved operational performance. Employees in this role can develop valuable skills in forecasting methodologies, demand analysis, inventory coordination, reporting, and cross-functional business planning.
Help the organization anticipate customer demand and make better-informed sales and inventory decisions.
Strengthen forecasting, statistical analysis, and data interpretation capabilities through practical work.
Collaborate with multiple departments and gain a broader understanding of business operations.
Build familiarity with modern planning tools, business intelligence platforms, and demand management practices.
Develop experience that may support progression into senior planning, supply chain analytics, or operations leadership positions.
Use analytical thinking to identify demand risks, explain performance differences, and recommend improvements.
Contribute to shared objectives in a role that values accuracy, communication, and teamwork.
HR Service Jobs welcomes candidates who demonstrate professionalism, curiosity, a commitment to continuous improvement, and an interest in using data to support business performance.
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