Demand Planner

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global biscuits and confectionery business is seeking a Demand Planner to manage forecasts and collaborate closely with the commercial teams. The ideal candidate should be highly numerate, analytical, and skilled in Excel, with a strong ability to influence relationships at senior levels. This role offers an array of benefits including a bonus scheme, private medical insurance, and a supportive work environment. Candidates with FMCG experience are encouraged to apply. Located in the United Kingdom.

Benefits

Annual Incentive Plan

Private medical insurance

Life Assurance Cover

25 days + bank holidays

Discounted gym membership

Access to training opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a demand planner in an FMCG context.
• Awareness of Sales & Operational Planning Processes.
• Understanding of business drivers affecting KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Own the base and promotional forecast for customer portfolio.
• Identify trends in forecast deviations to support decisions.
• Conduct weekly demand review meetings.

Skills

Highly numerate and analytical

Strong Excel capability

Understanding of supplier-customer engagement

Ability to negotiate and influence

Prioritisation under pressure

Effective teamwork

Job description

Want to help us bring happiness to the world? Want to join an ambitious and fast growing global biscuits and confectionery business investing heavily in iconic global brands, infrastructure and people? Then this is the place for you.

As proud bakers and chocolatiers and custodians of iconic global brands, we don't compromise on the quality of ingredients in our products or on the people we hire.

Site Introduction

In 2021, pladis proudly opened the doors to our vibrant global hub, the MIU Campus. Located in the heart of Chiswick Park, West London, just a short 5‑minute walk from Gunnersbury Station, our campus is nestled within 33 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, offering a welcoming and inspiring environment for all. Chiswick Park is home to both our UK and Global Corporate teams, bringing together diverse teams across the business.

What will this role achieve?

Reporting to the Demand Planning Manager, you will work closely with the commercial and central demand planning teams. You will be responsible for identifying short / medium / long term trends & deviations within the forecast at a sku‑customer level. Collaborating with the account manager and central demand planners, you will ensure the forward forecast is robust. In the short‑term, you will work closely with the Collaboration Managers and Customer Service team providing visibility of promotional performance & support mitigating actions required to deliver a high level of customer service.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Own the base and promotional forecast for your customer portfolio at a customer‑sku level, working with the account team and collaboration manager to maximise forecast accuracy.
• Identify trends and understand reasons for notable forecast deviations in the short and medium term to support forecast change decisions.
• Conduct formal weekly demand review meetings with Account Managers to review and amend short and medium term forecasts. Focus to be given to new product launches, post promotional performance, distribution changes & future promotional phasing.
• Review future promotional demand prior to internal sign off.
• Attend the short term weekly alignment meetings in conjunction with the collaboration manager and account manager to agree changes to the short‑term forecast.
• Work with the collaboration manager to deliver 98.0% inbound service level for your accounts.
• Maintain master data in the demand planning forecast management tool.
• Review customer order placement daily and challenge significant deviations to the forecast.

Bring your experience!

Essential

• Highly numerate and analytical
• IT literate with strong Excel capability
• Understanding of both supplier‑customer engagement and end‑to‑end supply chain planning processes.
• Capable of chairing / running forecast review meetings with internal colleagues and external customers.
• Ability to negotiate and influence at a Senior level
• Able to prioritise workload & cope with pressure in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability to work effectively with cross functional teams

Desirable

• Proven experience of working for an FMCG manufacturer in the role of demand planner.
• Full awareness and understanding of the Sales & Operational Planning Processes.
• High degree of understanding of the business drivers and factors that impact on related KPIs
• Understanding and appreciation of master data

What will the interview process be?

• Initial Telephone call with Talent Acquisition
• 1st stage interview - 45 minutes competency‑based interview based on our company values and your experiences.
• 2nd stage interview - 90 minutes - a technical interview to understand your skill set/case study or presentation interview.

pladis does also use both Psychometric and Aptitude tests to support our processes so you may be asked to complete these as part of your process. Some processes may differ, but we will keep you updated!

What does pladis offer you?

• Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) - this is the business's annual bonus scheme.
• Opportunity to self‑enrol into Health Cash Plan
• Private medical Insurance (if eligible by grade)
• Enhanced parental leave and a supportive phased return‑to‑work program to help colleagues balance family and career.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance Cover ~ upon enrolment to Stakeholder Pension Scheme
• 25 days + bank holidays
• Holiday Enhancement Scheme
• 1 Volunteering Day per year
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discounted gym membership - Carlisle and Chiswick only
• Discount and Cashback Scheme - make your everyday spending work hard for you on major high street brands, supermarkets and services
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial Wellbeing Support
• Access to great training and development opportunities

Our Values

Purpose led - We're energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile - We're ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers.

Positive - We're highly motivated optimistic, courageous, and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - We're persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward

Collaborative - We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together

Best mix of ingredients

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every great recipe we're a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that's as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

pladis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to hiring a diverse workforce. All openings will be filled based on qualifications without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, age, religion or any other classification protected by law.

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List. If you are a recruitment agency and wish to submit candidate to be considered for this vacancy, you must have agreed to, and signed, our terms of business. We will not accept CVs from any other sources other than those currently on our PSL. We will not pay a fee for any candidate that has not been represented by a provider on our PSL.

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