Demand Planner - Food To Go

ZipRecruiter; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the retail sector seeks a Demand Planner to forecast sales and optimize inventory. The role involves collaboration with various teams, managing stock levels, and enhancing forecasting methods. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills and excel in a hybrid working environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary and car allowance

Annual bonus based on performance

Hybrid working model

24 days holiday plus birthday and bank holidays

Finish at 4 pm on Fridays

Competitive pension contributions

Staff discount card

Qualifications

• Proven proficiency in forecasting methods and stock management.
• Strong listening, presentation, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Create ongoing forecasts and manage stock levels.
• Collaborate with buyers and suppliers to maintain stock.
• Monitor promotional activities and react to variances.

Skills

Forecasting Methods

Stock Management

Interpersonal Skills

Commercial Acumen

Mathematical Skills

Organizational Skills

Excel

Communication Skills

Job description

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 perform their best work. The Demand Planner will forecast sales, profits, and demand to maximize sales and minimize exits and overstocks. They will also analyze ranges to identify opportunities for sales and waste optimization and lead forecasting and planning for new stores, initiatives, and products.

What you’ll do

1. Create and shape ongoing forecasts, challenging assumptions where appropriate.
2. Prepare forecast data and stock buy details for key seasonal peaks for sign-off meetings.
3. Manage stock levels for ongoing ranges.
4. Collaborate with buyers and key suppliers to ensure key lines remain in stock.
5. Monitor promotional activities and highlight variances from sales forecasts to react to shortages or overstocks.
6. Support the development of stock systems and forecasting methods to improve accuracy across the business.
7. 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 the ability to interpret market trends.
• Knowledge of supply chain and inventory management.
• Mathematical skills and attention to detail.
• Organizational skills.
• High proficiency in Excel 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, bank holidays, with options to buy extra days.
• Finish at 4 pm on Fridays.
• Competitive pension contributions.
• Staff discount card for stores and online shopping.

Who we are

Celebrating 230 years, we’ve grown into a globally recognized brand present in over 30 countries. As a diverse group of over 11,000 colleagues, we are committed to our planet, people, and communities. Our UK Travel mission is to create value by providing a platform for global brands 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 encourage initiative and embracing challenges outside comfort zones.