Demand Planner

WHSmith; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Demand Planner to optimize sales and manage stock levels. This role involves creating forecasts, collaborating with suppliers, and improving stock systems to enhance accuracy. You'll be part of a dynamic team that values creativity and innovation, working in a hybrid model that balances home and office. With a competitive salary, annual bonus, and generous holiday options, this position offers a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in a globally recognized brand.

Benefits

Car allowance

Annual bonus

24 days holiday plus birthday

Competitive pension contributions

Staff discount card

Finish at 4 pm on Fridays

Qualifications

• Proven proficiency in forecasting methods and stock management.
• Strong Excel skills for data analysis and manipulation.

Responsibilities

• Create and shape ongoing forecasts and manage stock levels.
• Collaborate with buyers to ensure key lines remain in stock.

Skills

Forecasting methods

Stock management

Interpersonal skills

Commercial acumen

Excel proficiency

Mathematical skills

Organizational skills

Job description

Demand Planner

London Head Office

Hybrid Working

Job Purpose

At WHSmith, our people are at the heart of everything we do. They go the extra mile for our customers and enable our growth. Our Merchandising team is passionate about creating an environment where people can be creative and trailblazing to do their best work. The Demand Planner will plan sales, profits, and demand to maximize sales and minimize exit and overstocks. They will also complete range analysis to identify opportunities for sales and waste optimization and lead forecasting and planning for new stores, initiatives, and products.

What you’ll do

• Create and shape ongoing forecasts and challenge assumptions where appropriate.
• Prepare forecast data and stock buy details for key seasonal peaks for sign-off meetings.
• Manage stock levels on ongoing ranges.
• Collaborate with buyers and key suppliers to ensure key lines remain in stock.
• Monitor promotional activities and highlight variances from sales forecasts to react to shortages or overstocks.
• Support the development of stock systems and forecasting methods to continually improve accuracy across the business.
• Manage sell-through on delisted products.

Who you are

• Proven proficiency in forecasting methods with an understanding of their financial and operational impacts.
• Experience in stock management.
• Strong listening, presentation, and decision-making skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills to interact with all teams and levels affecting the forecast process.
• Commercial acumen and ability to interpret market trends.
• Knowledge of supply chain and inventory management.
• Mathematical skills and attention to detail.
• Organizational skills.
• High level of Excel proficiency for data analysis and manipulation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

What we can offer you

• Competitive salary and car allowance.
• Annual bonus based on performance.
• Hybrid working model (home and office).
• 24 days holiday plus your birthday and bank holidays, with options to buy extra days.
• Finish at 4 pm on Fridays.
• Competitive pension contributions.
• Staff discount card for stores and online.

Who we are

Celebrating 230 years, we’re a globally recognized brand present in over 30 countries. With over 11,000 colleagues, we are committed to our planet, people, and communities. Our UK Travel mission is to create value through providing essentials and technology in airports, hospitals, rail stations, and other markets. Our London office is near Liverpool Street Station, fostering a culture of pace, collaboration, and innovation. We value initiative and embracing new challenges.