Demand Planning Manager

Alexander Steele; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Demand Planning Manager to deliver accurate forecasts for renowned food brands. The position requires at least 5 years of experience in demand planning within the FMCG industry, along with strong analytical and people management skills. The role offers a salary of approximately £65,000 plus benefits, including a hybrid working model with three days in the office in Berkshire.

Benefits

Salary circa £65,000

Performance Bonus

Comprehensive Healthcare

Pension Plan

25 days leave + 8 bank holidays

Hybrid remote working

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience in demand planning and forecasting within the FMCG industry.
• People management exposure is preferred.
• Experience working with Retailers is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of Demand Planners.
• Drive continuous improvement in forecasting accuracy and bias.
• Own the end-to-end forecasting process for major grocery customers.
• Provide long-term demand insights for business planning.
• Contribute to the Supply Chain leadership community.

Skills

Analytical skills

Excel expertise

Problem-solving skills

People management

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications

Tools

Forecasting tools (e.g. Blue Planner)

Job description

Overview

Alexander Steele Recruitment has partnered with leading award-winning food business that has an exciting opportunity for a Demand Planning Manager to play a pivotal role in delivering accurate forecasts that keep their renowned brands on shelf and their supply chain running smoothly.

On Offer

• Salary: circa £65 000 + Car Cash Allowance
• Performance Bonus
• Comprehensive Healthcare + Pension Plan
• 25 days leave + 8 bank holidays
• Hybrid remote working (3 days in the Berkshire based office)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of Demand Planners, building capability in forecasting tools and techniques, as well as coaching on S&OP processes.
• Drive continuous improvement in forecasting accuracy and bias by refining tools, processes and ways of working.
• Contribute to overall goal of delivering outstanding service levels while reducing waste and obsoletes.
• Own the end-to-end forecasting process for a portfolio of major grocery customers, from base sales and promotional plans to NPD and seasonal lines, ensuring alignment between customer, sales and supply teams.
• Provide long-term demand insights that feed into business capacity planning and raw material procurement, collaborating closely with Finance, Marketing and Supply colleagues to ensure future growth plans are supported.
• Contribute to the Supply Chain leadership community, helping to shape how the wider function operates, and influencing improvements to cross-functional collaboration, S&OP maturity and data-driven decision making.

Candidate requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualifications will be desired.
• At least 5 years proven experience in demand planning and forecasting within the FMCG industry.
• People management exposure is preferred.
• Strong analytical, Excel and problem-solving skills that support effective teamwork and collaboration.
• Experience working with Retailers, with knowledge of forecasting tools (e.g. Blue Planner) an advantage.