Demand Planning Manager

Danone; Chiswick; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Life assurance

Healthcare

Private medical insurance

Gym memberships

Cycle to work

Holiday trading

Employee discounts

Job summary

Danone is seeking a Demand Planning Manager to own the accuracy of customer- and SKU-level forecasts within the monthly S&OP cycle. You will partner with Commercial, Marketing and Operations to convert data and market insight into robust demand plans while driving forecast accuracy and service.

You will lead cross-functional reviews, translate launches into forecast scenarios and monitor new product performance, with hybrid office attendance and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of S&OP processes and cross-functional decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with senior stakeholders.
• Strong analytical capability to interpret data and translate insights into actions.
• Knowledge of statistical forecasting; machine-learning experience desirable.
• Agility and sound judgement in uncertain environments.
• Results-focused and improvement-oriented mindset.
• Strong Excel, with Power BI and SAP IBP advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain customer- and SKU-level forecasts across an 18-month horizon.
• Own short- and long-term demand views balancing operational priorities and business needs.
• Run and improve statistical and machine-learning forecasting models.
• Combine internal and external data for risks, opportunities and scenario planning.
• Lead monthly cross-functional demand reviews and capture actions.
• Translate launches into robust forecast scenarios.
• Monitor product performance and adjust forecasts as needed.
• Own KPI reporting and drive actions from results.
• Communicate demand changes and risks to Supply Planning and Logistics.
• Drive continuous improvement and automation of processes.

Skills

S&OP processes

Stakeholder management

Analytical capability

Statistical forecasting

Machine learning (desirable)

Agility/decision making

Forecasting insights to action

Tools

Excel

Power BI

SAP IBP

Job description

Danoners are steering us to a more sustainable future, helping to make the world healthier. As a certified B-Corp, we have our Danone Impact Journey to 2027. This will only be possible with each and every one of our leaders. Do you want to be one of them?

Role Purpose:

Working in close partnership with Commercial, Marketing and Operations, the Demand Planning Manager owns the delivery of an accurate, unbiased customer- and SKU-level demand forecast through the monthly S&OP process. The role converts data, market insight and commercial assumptions into a robust demand plan, while driving continuous improvement in forecast accuracy, bias, service and waste. We are looking for an experienced Demand Planner who can challenge constructively, influence cross-functional decisions and help deliver our key business KPIs.

Key Activities:

• Build and maintain accurate customer- and SKU-level forecasts across a rolling 18-month horizon, using historical performance, market trends and sales insights
• Own both short- and long-term demand views, balancing immediate operational priorities with longer-term business needs
• Run, evaluate and continuously improve statistical and machine-learning forecasting models
• Combine internal and external data to identify risks and opportunities, lead deep-dive analysis and scenario planning, and support a proactive "fill the gap" mindset
• Lead monthly cross-functional demand reviews, ensuring assumptions, decisions and actions are clearly captured and aligned
• Translate innovation business cases and customer launch plans into robust forecast scenarios
• Monitor new product performance closely and recommend timely forecast adjustments
• Own KPI reporting and performance reviews, turning results into clear actions
• Anticipate the impact of demand changes on supply and communicate risks and priorities proactively to Supply Planning and Logistics
• Drive continuous improvement across Demand Planning by simplifying ways of working and using digital tools to automate processes and reporting

About You

We would like you to demonstrate your following key skills:

• A strong understanding of S&OP processes and cross-functional decision-making
• Excellent communication, influencing and interpersonal skills, with experience managing senior stakeholders
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to interpret complex data, draw clear conclusions and translate insights into action
• Knowledge and practical experience of statistical forecasting; machine-learning experience is desirable
• Agility and sound judgement, with the confidence to take ownership and make decisions in uncertain environments
• A results-focused, improvement-oriented mindset
• Strong Excel capability; experience with Power BI and SAP IBP is advantageous

Salary Bracket: £49,000 - £55,000 + bonus and benefits.

About Us, We offer and What's next

At Danone, we are committed to delivering better health through better nutrition for millions of consumers and patients in our communities.

Our market-leading products reach millions of consumers and patients every day. Our iconic brands span across the dairy, plant-based and water industries, including Actimel, Alpro and evian.

We're also a leading provider of specialised early-life nutrition through our Aptamil and Cow & Gate brands and medical nutrition products and services through our Nutricia brand.

Depending on the needs of your role, you'll spend an average of 2 to 3 days per week in the office hub, enhancing community, problem solving, and innovation.

We offer a flexible benefits package that you can tailor to your needs. This includes core benefits like pension, life assurance, and healthcare, plus options such as private medical insurance, gym memberships, cycle to work and holiday trading.

You’ll also have access to employee discounts and wellbeing support, helping you look after your health, finances and lifestyle in a way that works for you. Discover More: https://careers.danone.com/uki/en/our-learning-and-rewards.html

Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) is deeply embedded in Danone's DNA, representing our core values and beliefs. We embrace diversity as a driving force for positive change, nurturing an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued.

The closing date for applications is Monday 2nd November, you will therefore hear about your application after this date.