Demand Planner

Ddgroup; Witham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday (incl. bank holidays)

Birthday day off

Company pension scheme

Dental plan

Life assurance

Cycle2Work scheme

Mental health support

Job summary

Dental Directory, part of DD Group, is seeking an experienced Demand Planner to join our busy Supply Chain team. You will forecast demand, manage stock levels and coordinate with suppliers to ensure product availability while keeping to budgets.

The role requires strong Excel skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work cross-functionally with Procurement and Warehouse Operations to optimise stock and minimise shortages.

Qualifications

• Experience managing stock levels and product availability.
• Strong Excel skills to analyse data and support purchasing decisions.
• Excellent organisational skills to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Good communication to build relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Attention to detail in stock data and delivery schedules.
• ERP experience is advantageous; CIPS qualification desirable though not essential.

Responsibilities

• Forecast demand and plan stock across an allocated portfolio of products and suppliers.
• Monitor and maintain minimum and maximum stock levels.
• Place purchase orders and coordinate supplier call-offs to maintain stock levels.
• Work with suppliers to monitor outstanding orders and expedite deliveries.
• Minimise stock shortages by coordinating with internal teams.
• Review slow-moving or obsolete stock for clearance and efficiency improvements.
• Maintain purchasing and stock data in the ERP system including PO dates and deliveries.
• Coordinate stock movements and container shipments to align with forecast demand.
• Collaborate with Warehouse Operations on inbound deliveries and capacity planning.
• Monitor purchasing expenditure against monthly budgets across currencies.

Skills

Excel

Forecasting

Stock planning

Data analysis

Supplier relationships

Tools

ERP system

Job description

We're looking for an experienced and organised Demand Planner to join our Supply Chain team at Dental Directory, part of DD Group. You'll play a key role in ensuring we have the right products available at the right time, managing stock levels, forecasting demand and working closely with suppliers to maintain product availability while meeting business budgets and stock targets.

Working as part of a busy and fast-paced team, you'll take ownership of a portfolio of products and suppliers, balancing customer demand with effective stock management and purchasing decisions. You'll work closely with suppliers and internal departments to minimise stock shortages, manage incoming deliveries and identify opportunities to improve stock efficiency. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working with data, building strong supplier relationships and making a real difference to day-to-day business operations.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage demand forecasting and stock planning across an allocated portfolio of products and suppliers, ensuring stock availability meets customer demand.
• Monitor and maintain minimum and maximum stock levels, balancing product availability with stockholding targets and business budgets.
• Place purchase orders, manage bulk orders and coordinate regular supplier call-offs to maintain appropriate stock levels.
• Work closely with suppliers to monitor outstanding orders, expedite deliveries and reschedule orders where required.
• Proactively identify and minimise stock shortages, working with internal teams to manage availability and communicate changes.
• Review slow-moving, excess and obsolete stock, identifying opportunities for clearance and improved stock efficiency.
• Maintain accurate purchasing and stock information within the ERP system, including purchase order dates and expected deliveries.
• Coordinate the movement of stock between suppliers and manage shipments to ensure products arrive in line with forecast demand.
• Plan and manage incoming container deliveries in collaboration with warehouse teams, taking into account available capacity and operational requirements.
• Manage promotional stock lists and ensure stock information remains accurate and up to date.
• Coordinate stocktaking activities with external suppliers and support accurate stock control and reporting.
• Monitor purchasing expenditure against agreed monthly budgets, including transactions across multiple currencies.
• Work collaboratively with Procurement, Warehouse Operations and other internal departments to support efficient supply chain operations.

About You

• Previous experience managing stock levels and product availability across a range of products.
• Strong Excel skills, with the ability to analyse data and support effective purchasing and stock decisions.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to build effective working relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Good attention to detail, particularly when managing purchasing information, stock data and delivery schedules.
• A proactive and problem-solving approach, with the ability to anticipate stock challenges and take appropriate action.
• Experience using ERP or stock management systems would be advantageous.
• A CIPS qualification would be desirable, although not essential.

What We Offer

• Enhanced holiday entitlement – 33 days in total, including bank holidays
• An additional day off to celebrate your birthday!
• The opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Company pension scheme
• Dental plan
• Company sick pay
• Life assurance
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Comprehensive employee discount portal, including savings on shopping, gym memberships and days out
• SmartPay loan scheme, with no interest applied
• Cycle2Work scheme
• Mental health support services and access to a virtual GP
• Eye test vouchers
• Free on-site parking

Who are Dental Directory, Part of DD Group?

Dental Directory is one of the UK's leading suppliers of dental products, equipment and consumables, supporting dental professionals and practices across the country. With an extensive product range and a commitment to delivering reliable service, we play an important role in helping our customers access the products and solutions they need to provide excellent patient care.

As part of DD Group, we belong to a wider family of businesses supporting the dental and healthcare sectors across the UK, Ireland and Europe. Our Group brings together expertise across dental supplies, equipment, engineering, pharmaceuticals and specialist services, creating opportunities for collaboration, innovation and continued growth. We're proud of our people and the role they play in delivering for our customers, and we're always looking for talented individuals to join us as we continue to develop and strengthen our business