Demand Manager

Fullers Foods; Leeds; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Fullers Foods is seeking a Demand Planning Manager to lead the end-to-end forecasting process across Retail, Foodservice and B2B channels. You will drive forecasting accuracy, lead the monthly S&OP reviews and work with Commercial, Procurement, Finance and Supply Chain teams to ensure plans reflect promotions, launches and market changes.

You will build capability within the demand planning team, improve forecasting systems and data quality, and shape a proactive, data-led culture to support

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the demand planning function to support growth and operations.
• Own end-to-end forecasting across Retail, Foodservice and B2B channels.
• Redesign forecasting processes with clear roles, inputs and governance.
• Develop forecasting approaches for different channels considering promotions and seasonality.
• Lead monthly demand reviews within the S&OP process with cross-functional input.
• Communicate demand plans to Supply Chain, Finance and Procurement.
• Produce insightful reports on forecast performance and risks for senior leadership.
• Coach and develop the Demand Planning Team and improve systems and data capabilities.

Skills

Demand planning

Forecasting

S&OP

Stakeholder management

Job description

About Fullers Foods

Fullers Foods is a fast-growing food supply business, working with some of the UK’s largest retailers to deliver high-quality products that help feed the nation.

We operate in a complex, fast-paced environment where quality, consistency and strong partnerships matter. From sourcing and supply chain through to product development and delivery, we focus on getting the basics right - and then continuously improving how we do things.

We have built a strong reputation with our customers by being reliable, responsive and commercially sharp, and we are now entering an exciting phase of growth as we continue to strengthen our core business, diversify our offering and expand our reach.

Our vision is simple: Every meal is a Fullers meal.

Our Culture

At Fullers, we are proud of our down-to-earth, hard-working and supportive culture. We are a business that values people who take ownership, work collaboratively and are focused on delivering results.

We operate with a high level of trust and accountability - we don’t overcomplicate things, and we expect people to take responsibility for their role and make an impact.

We are ambitious as a business, but we also recognise the importance of supporting our people to succeed, develop and grow with us.

Our Values

Our values are at the heart of how we work and what we expect from each other:

• Grit – We are resilient, determined and keep going when things get tough
• Graft – We work hard, roll up our sleeves and get the job done
• Smart – We think commercially, solve problems and make good decisions
• Heart – We care about our people, our customers and doing the right thing

A Note on This Role

The following job description is intended as a guide to the main responsibilities and focus of the role. It is not exhaustive and may evolve as the business continues to grow.

Role Purpose

To lead and develop the demand planning function, ensuring Fullers Foods has a robust, accurate and commercially informed demand forecast that supports customer service, operational efficiency and profitable business growth.

The role is responsible for developing and embedding effective forecasting processes across Retail, Foodservice and B2B channels, ensuring demand is understood, challenged and translated into a single agreed demand plan.

Working collaboratively with Commercial, Procurement, Finance and Supply Chain teams, the Demand Manager leads the demand planning element of the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, providing the insight, challenge and leadership required to balance customer demand, product availability, inventory and cost.

The role also plays a key part in developing the capability of the demand planning team, improving systems and processes, and building a proactive, data-led approach to forecasting that supports the continued growth of Fullers Foods.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the demand planning function, setting clear direction, priorities and performance expectations to support business growth and operational effectiveness.
• Take ownership of the end-to-end demand forecasting process, ensuring the business has a robust, accurate and commercially informed demand plan.
• Review, redesign and continuously improve forecasting processes, establishing clear responsibilities, inputs, timelines and governance across the business.
• Develop appropriate forecasting approaches across Retail, Foodservice and B2B channels, recognising differences in customer demand patterns, promotions, seasonality and commercial activity.
• Lead the monthly demand review as part of the wider S&OP process, ensuring forecasts are reviewed, challenged and agreed through effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Establish clear demand planning processes, reporting requirements, decision-making responsibilities and escalation routes to support a consistent and effective S&OP cycle.
• Work closely with Commercial teams to ensure forecasts reflect customer requirements, promotional activity, range changes, new product launches and anticipated market developments.
• Constructively challenge forecast assumptions and commercial inputs, using data and insight to ensure demand plans are realistic, evidence-based and commercially credible.
• Ensure the agreed demand plan is communicated effectively to Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance and other relevant stakeholders to support operational and financial planning.
• Produce clear and insightful demand planning reports, highlighting forecast performance, key changes, risks, opportunities and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Establish and monitor demand planning KPIs, including forecast accuracy, forecast bias and forecast value-add, using performance data to identify and implement improvements.
• Lead the development of exception-based planning and improved forecasting methodologies, focusing resources on areas where intervention will deliver the greatest value.
• Work collaboratively with Supply Chain and Procurement teams to balance product availability, inventory levels, working capital, shelf life and waste.
• Identify and proactively manage demand-related risks and opportunities, including promotional uplift, seasonal changes, new customer activity, range changes and unexpected market developments.
• Support new product development and product launches by ensuring appropriate demand assumptions, volume forecasts and planning inputs are established.
• Provide commercial and operational insight to support customer negotiations, business planning and growth opportunities.
• Lead, coach and develop the Demand Planning Team, building capability, accountability and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with Commercial and other stakeholders, ensuring clear ownership and accountability for the quality and timeliness of forecasting inputs.
• Lead the implementation of improvements to demand planning systems, data quality, reporting and analytical capability.
• Evaluate opportunities to introduce improved forecasting tools, automation and data visualisation to enhance planning accuracy and efficiency.
• Work closely with Finance to ensure demand forecasts support financial planning, budgeting and business performance analysis.