Demand Planner

Reed; Slough; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed is seeking an experienced Production & Demand Planner for Buckinghamshire to own production planning, demand forecasting, and inventory control within a growing manufacturing business.

You will develop accurate forecasts, create production schedules, monitor stock levels, and work closely with Sales, Production and Purchasing to ensure on-time deliveries and optimal inventory levels. Strong Excel and ERP/MRP experience required.

Qualifications

• Experience in production/demand planning in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong forecasting, capacity planning and inventory management.
• Advanced Excel with data analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Demand Planning & Forecasting: Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts from sales history and trends.
• Production Planning: Create and maintain production schedules to meet orders.
• Inventory & Material Planning: Monitor stock levels and ensure material availability.
• Capacity Planning: Analyse capacity and resources to maximise efficiency.
• Stakeholder Management: Coordinate between Sales, Production, Purchasing and Leadership.
• Process Improvement: Design robust planning processes and KPIs.

Skills

Forecasting

Capacity planning

Inventory management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Tools

Excel

ERP/MRP

S&OP

Job description

Production & Demand Planner Vacancy (URGENT)

• Location: Buckinghamshire
• Job Type: Permanent
• Salary: GBP45k - GBP50k per annum

We are seeking an experienced Production & Demand Planner to take ownership of production planning, demand forecasting, and inventory control within a growing manufacturing business. This pivotal role will bring structure, visibility, and control to a planning function that is currently managed through spreadsheets and informal processes.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Demand Planning & Forecasting: Develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts using sales history, customer requirements, and business trends. Work closely with Sales and Commercial teams to understand future demand and promotional activity.
• Production Planning: Create and maintain production schedules to ensure customer orders are delivered on time. Balance demand against available production capacity and prioritise production activities.
• Inventory & Material Planning: Monitor stock levels and ensure materials are available to support production requirements. Identify potential shortages and implement mitigation plans.
• Capacity Planning: Analyse production capacity and resource availability. Identify bottlenecks and work with operational teams to maximise efficiency.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the central point of coordination between Sales, Production, Purchasing, and Senior Leadership. Facilitate regular planning meetings and communicate priorities clearly.
• Process Improvement: Design and implement robust planning processes and reporting. Develop meaningful KPIs and planning metrics to drive continuous improvement across the planning function.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Previous experience within a Production Planning, Demand Planning, or Supply Chain Planning role, preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of forecasting, capacity planning, and inventory management.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to analyse data to make informed planning decisions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience working across multiple departments to drive operational performance.
• Desirable: FMCG, Food Manufacturing, Packaging, or Process Manufacturing experience. ERP/MRP system experience and S&OP exposure.