Demand Planner

KAO; London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

KAO is seeking a Demand Planning Specialist for Molton Brown in London. You will oversee 12-month demand forecasts and collaborate with sales and marketing teams to maximize opportunities. This role requires strong supply chain expertise and experience in FMCG, focusing on inventory optimization and trend analysis.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in demand planning or merchandising within the beauty or FMCG sector.
• Proven ability to interact successfully with internal and external customers.
• Strong knowledge of statistical forecasting methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive demand planning 12-month forecasts using KAO systems.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to gather demand information and create forecasts.
• Analyze demand versus actual sales and propose corrective actions.

Skills

Excel

Supply Chain Expertise

Statistical Forecasting

Python

R

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

Tools

ERP software

Statistical Software

Power BI

Job description

The role:

You will work closely with cross-functional teams at Molton Brown, including Sales, Marketing, Production, and the wider Supply Chain, to analyze historical data, assess market trends, and develop demand forecasts to support sales and inventory management strategies.

What you will do:

• Own, develop, and drive Molton Brown's demand planning 12-month forecasts using KAO forecasting systems and tools.
• Collaborate with regional Molton Brown commercial teams to gather product demand information, including promotion planning and NPD volume validation, to create accurate internal forecasts.
• Continuously improve forecasting accuracy by analyzing demand versus actual sales, proposing corrective actions, and delivering monthly reports on forecast deviations and process improvements.
• Serve as the key demand planning contact for sales and marketing teams regarding stock availability, allocation, and ad-hoc support, maximizing sales opportunities.
• Analyze write-off risks and disposal costs for finished goods, components, and raw materials to identify slow movers and assist in short-term sales and marketing activities to minimize financial risks.
• Share responsibility with supply planners to ensure inventory levels are optimized and maintained at targeted levels.
• Organize and lead monthly demand planning meetings with cross-functional teams to reach consensus.

What you will need:

• Degree-level education or equivalent professional qualification preferred.
• Supply chain expertise is advantageous.
• 3-5 years of experience in demand planning or merchandising within the beauty or FMCG sector.
• ERP experience in demand planning environments and knowledge of statistical software is a strong plus.
• Proven ability to interact successfully with internal and external customers and manage short- and medium-term objectives.
• Advanced Excel skills (PowerQuery, PowerPivot, Macros, PowerBI) are a plus.
• Ability to build and maintain good relationships with local commercial and internal supply chain teams.
• Knowledge of Python or R is a strong advantage.
• Understanding of statistical forecasting methodologies.

Molton Brown is part of Kao, founded in Japan in 1887. Kao is committed to making a difference with high-quality products and services that create a Kirei Life — a beautiful life respecting consumer needs and the planet. Our corporate philosophy, the Kao Way, guides us to act with integrity, drive innovation, and foster trust and respect.

How we work: Recognized among the World's Most Ethical Companies for 19 consecutive years, we are a purpose-driven company with strong values. We prioritize quality and environmental care, with employees shaping their careers actively. We work collaboratively to meet our goals and deliver the best for our customers.

Hiring Process: Kao values diversity and individual personalities, welcoming applications from all parts of the global community.

Want to learn more? If you feel as unique as our products and want to discover why 33,000 people worldwide chose a career with us, visit https://www.kao.com/emea/en/ and https://www.kao.com/emea/en/privacy/