Demand Planner

Tango Card; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme

Hybrid working

Employee assistance program

Birthday time off

Volunteering leave

bYond discounts

Job summary

Blackhawk Network is seeking a Demand Planner to develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts and inventory plans for the UK and Ireland. You will work hands-on with large datasets, building spreadsheet-based models and collaborating with commercial, distribution and sales teams to ensure stock availability and optimize inventory.

Flexible to industry dynamics, you will translate insights into actionable recommendations, monitor forecast accuracy, and support ongoing improvements across EMEA

Qualifications

• Strong data analytics and ability to turn findings into actions.
• Advanced Excel skills including PivotTables, lookups and data validation.
• Experience building or improving forecasting analyses and reporting.
• Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources for clear recommendations.
• Strong numerical reasoning and problem-solving, with attention to detail.
• Clear written and verbal communication with stakeholders.
• Ability to manage deadlines and work cross-functionally.
• Proactive in identifying risks and driving process improvements.
• Willingness to work across EMEA with diverse teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, maintain and challenge demand forecasts and inventory plans for the UK & Ireland across Retail and Incentive channels.
• Analyze historical sales, stock, seasonality and promotions to identify demand patterns.
• Build and improve Excel-based forecasting models and reporting tools.
• Extract, clean and reconcile data from multiple sources; investigate discrepancies.
• Translate analysis into stock recommendations considering lead times and launches.
• Review performance vs forecasts; investigate variances to improve accuracy.
• Identify out-of-stock, excess-stock and obsolescence risks and mitigate actions.
• Collaborate with Card Partner, Distribution Partner, and Sales to validate forecasts and promotional plans.
• Coordinate with Product Implementation on in-warehouse dates and inbound stock.
• Produce timely reports on demand, inventory coverage and forecast accuracy.
• Support supply planning across B2B and B2C fulfilment and logistics providers.
• Improve planning processes through standardisation and automation.
• Share best practices across EMEA for consistent processes.

Skills

Data analytics

Advanced Excel

PivotTables

XLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH

Data reconciliation

Forecasting models

Stakeholder communication

Attention to detail

Cross-functional teamwork

Ownership & accountability

Tools

Power Query

Power Pivot

Power BI

Tableau

VBA/Macros

SharePoint

PowerApps

PowerAutomate

Job description

Demand Planner

ID: 2026-27292

Category: Operations

Position Type: Full Time

Location: UK-Hertfordshire-Hemel Hempstead

About Blackhawk Network:

At Blackhawk Network (BHN), we’re shaping the future of branded payments - powering reward, incentive, and loyalty solutions across 28 countries and 400,000+ consumer touchpoints. From digital gift cards and eGifts to global employee rewards and customer acquisition tools, our platforms deliver meaningful value to clients and their customers alike.

Learn more at BHN.com

Overview:

Department Overview

The Supply Chain department is responsible for fulfilment activities, planning and operational implementation of new products across EMEA. The department manages activity for both Retail and Incentive channels across physical and eGift products.

This UK-based role will focus on demand and inventory planning for the UK and Ireland, working closely with commercial, operational and wider EMEA Supply Chain colleagues.

Purpose of Role

The Demand Planner will use data analysis, advanced Excel skills and commercial insight to develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts and inventory plans for the UK and Ireland.

This is a hands-on, analytical role. The successful candidate will be confident working with large datasets, building and maintaining spreadsheet-based planning models, identifying trends and turning complex information into clear recommendations. They will help ensure the right stock is available at the right time, balancing product availability with the risks of excess and obsolete inventory.

The role will work closely with Card Partner, Distribution Partner, Sales and Product Implementation teams to incorporate business intelligence, promotional activity and partner requirements into planning decisions.

Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, maintain and challenge demand forecasts and inventory plans for the UK and Ireland across relevant Retail and Incentive channels, covering physical and eGift products.
• Analyse historical sales, stock levels, sales rates, seasonality, promotional activity and market or partner changes to identify demand patterns and future stock requirements.
• Build, maintain and improve Excel-based forecasting models, planning matrices and reporting tools, ensuring calculations are accurate, assumptions are clear and outputs are reliable.
• Extract, combine, clean and reconcile data from multiple sources, investigating discrepancies and protecting the integrity of planning data.
• Translate analysis into clear stock recommendations, taking account of supplier lead times, existing inventory, outstanding orders, planned launches and changes in demand.
• Review actual performance against forecasts, investigate significant variances and use findings to improve forecast accuracy and future planning assumptions.
• Identify and communicate potential out-of-stock, excess-stock and obsolescence risks early, recommending practical actions to reduce their impact.
• Work with Card Partner, Distribution Partner and Sales teams to validate forecasts and incorporate promotional plans, seasonal peaks, new business and other commercial intelligence.
• Work with Product Implementation teams to confirm in-warehouse dates, monitor inbound stock and highlight delivery risks that could affect availability.
• Produce clear, timely reports and analysis on demand, inventory coverage, forecast accuracy and exceptions, explaining the findings and recommended actions to stakeholders.
• Support supply planning across B2B and B2C fulfilment and logistics providers, addressing demand-related issues promptly and effectively.
• Improve planning processes through standardisation, effective spreadsheet controls and automation where appropriate, reducing manual effort and the risk of error.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain colleagues across EMEA to share good practice, maintain consistent processes and provide appropriate team cover.

Qualifications:

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Strong data analytics skills, with the ability to interrogate large datasets, identify trends and anomalies, investigate root causes and turn findings into practical business recommendations.
• Advanced, demonstrable Excel skills. Confident use of PivotTables, lookup functions such as XLOOKUP or INDEX/MATCH, SUMIFS/COUNTIFS, logical formulas and data validation is essential.
• Experience building, maintaining or improving spreadsheet-based analysis, reporting or planning models, with strong attention to formula accuracy, reconciliation and data quality.
• Ability to bring together information from different sources and explain what the data means, rather than simply produce reports.
• Strong numerical reasoning and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to question assumptions and challenge unexpected results.
• Excellent attention to detail, a structured approach to work and a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain analytical findings to non-technical stakeholders and build effective working relationships.
• Ability to prioritise competing requirements, meet deadlines and work effectively both independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
• A proactive approach to identifying risks, improving processes and following actions through to completion.

Desirable

• Experience in demand planning, forecasting, inventory management, supply chain analysis or a similar data-focused role.
• Experience using Power Query to combine, transform and refresh data, or Power Pivot to analyse larger datasets.
• Experience in Sharepoint, Powerapps and Powerautomate
• Experience with business intelligence and reporting tools such as Qlik, Power BI or Tableau.
• Experience automating repetitive spreadsheet tasks, for example through macros or VBA.
• Understanding of seasonal demand, promotional planning and stock management across UK and Ireland markets.
• Experience in gift cards, prepaid products, retail or multi-channel fulfilment.

We seek candidates who not only demonstrate curiosity and adaptability in emerging technologies but have also successfully implemented and utilized AI tools to enhance their work, improve processes, or deliver measurable results. Our teams embrace continuous learning and the thoughtful integration of AI to create meaningful impact – for our employees and the future of work.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Benefits:

• Work-Life Balance: 25 days annual leave, birthday time off, and volunteering leave.
• Health & Well-being: Private medical insurance, employee assistance program, enhanced parental leave, and free eye tests.
• Financial Rewards: Group income protection, pension scheme, and exclusive discounts with our bYond card.
• Flexibility & Engagement: Office group activities and support for physical and mental health.
• Recognition: Participate in Flyers, our leading recognition program with financial rewards.
• Hybrid: Typically 2 days per week in the office. We’re open to flexible working arrangements and will consider reasonable adjustments in line with individual needs.

Candidate Journey at BHN:

• Stage 1: Shortlisting of suitable candidates
• Stage 2: Screening Call
• Stage 3: Interview(s) with Hiring Manager(s)
• Stage 4: Feedback/Hired

Join us and be part of a company that’s shaping the future of branded payments.

Blackhawk Network is an equal opportunities employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.