Category Demand Manager

Sainsbury's; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Category Demand Manager to oversee daily operations and drive sales growth while optimizing inventory levels. This role involves collaborating with various stakeholders to implement demand planning strategies that enhance customer experience and ensure product availability. The ideal candidate will excel in data analysis and supply chain management, fostering strong supplier relationships and leading high-performing teams. Join this forward-thinking company to make a significant impact in the fast-paced FMCG sector.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in data analysis and supply chain systems is essential.
• Experience managing high-performing teams in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations to maximize product availability and quality.
• Develop strategic relationships with suppliers for long-term planning.
• Lead demand planning teams through recruitment and coaching.

Skills

Data Analysis

Supply Chain Systems (SAP, Oracle, JDA, Blue Yonder)

Team Management

Inventory Management

Forecasting

Tools

SAP

Oracle

JDA

Blue Yonder

Job description

As a Category Demand Manager, you will be responsible for managing your category's daily operations, ensuring top product availability, driving sales growth, and optimizing inventory levels and costs to serve (up to C.£2bn in annual sales). You will collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement demand planning strategies that lead the market and enhance customer experience.

Key responsibilities include:

1. Category Operations: Manage the category profile and oversee daily operations to maximize availability and quality across all channels, managing a sales portfolio of up to C.£2bn while adhering to budget constraints.
2. Strategic Planning: Work with category directors to set and execute long-term development objectives and activation plans that support the company's food mission and market leadership.
3. Operational Excellence: Lead initiatives to improve network operations, optimize stock levels, and enhance working capital management in collaboration with suppliers.
4. Programme Management: Oversee category programs to improve service levels and drive efficiencies and cost reductions.
5. Stakeholder Management: Build strong relationships with leadership teams, communicate effectively, and ensure process compliance while balancing product availability and financial performance.
6. Supplier Partnerships: Develop strategic relationships with suppliers, fostering collaboration and long-term planning to position Sainsbury's as a preferred partner.
7. Leadership: Lead and develop demand planning teams through recruitment, coaching, and succession planning.
8. Customer Focus: Promote a culture centered on customer satisfaction and monitor KPIs accordingly.
9. Problem Solving: Analyze root causes of issues and implement sustainable solutions using demand planning tools to achieve category excellence.
10. Culture: Foster a collaborative, accountable, and continuous improvement-oriented culture within the supply chain and broader organization.

Essential skills and knowledge include:

• Proficiency in data analysis and supply chain systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, JDA, Blue Yonder).
• Experience managing and coaching high-performing teams in a collaborative environment.
• Strong understanding of supply chain dynamics, inventory management, and forecasting in FMCG sectors.

Desirable skills:

• Leadership in continuous improvement initiatives, with a focus on end-to-end process enhancement.

Leadership expectations:

• Customer obsession: Use insights to meet customer needs and uphold commitments.
• Performance focus: Deliver personal and team goals, prioritize resources, and manage accountability.
• Cross-boundary leadership: Share strategic vision and build internal and external partnerships.
• Team leadership: Foster diverse perspectives, challenge the status quo, and develop others through feedback and coaching.