Demand Planning Manager - Global FMCG business

ZipRecruiter; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent FMCG company in Slough is seeking a Demand Planning Manager to lead forecasting across a major grocery portfolio. You will develop a team and ensure forecast accuracy and cross-functional alignment. Ideal candidates have 5+ years of experience in FMCG demand planning and strong analytical skills. The role offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and generous benefits including a bonus and private healthcare.

Benefits

Competitive salary plus car allowance

Annual bonus scheme

Private healthcare

25 days holiday + option to buy more

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in FMCG demand planning and forecasting roles.
• Proven ability to coach and build capability within a team.
• Confident communicator with strong commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Demand Planners.
• Own the demand planning process for grocery customers.
• Improve forecast accuracy and bias.

Skills

FMCG demand planning

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Line management

Proactive mindset

Tools

Excel

Forecasting systems

Job description

Overview

Demand Planning Manager – Strategic leader

• Long term growth opportunities - development into Head of Demand Planning
• Strong stakeholder management and team management experience essential

We’re supporting a well-known FMCG business with the hire of a Demand Manager to lead forecasting across a major grocery portfolio. This is a high-impact role with line management responsibility, where you\'ll play a key part in ensuring forecast accuracy, cross-functional alignment and S&OP maturity across the business.

You’ll lead a small team, work closely with Sales, Supply, Finance and Marketing, and take ownership of both short-term forecast delivery and longer-term demand planning insights.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead and develop a team of Demand Planners, coaching on forecasting techniques, systems and S&OP best practice
• Own the demand planning process across grocery customers, including base, promo, NPD and seasonal lines
• Improve forecast accuracy and bias by refining tools, assumptions and ways of working
• Actively support the continuous improvement of S&OP processes and cross-functional collaboration
• Represent the demand planning function within the supply chain leadership community

What they’re looking for:

• Proven experience in FMCG demand planning, ideally with 5+ years’ experience in forecasting roles
• Line management experience – able to coach and build capability within a team
• Strong analytical skills, Excel and forecasting systems experience (e.g. Blue Planner or similar)
• A confident communicator with strong commercial awareness and problem-solving ability
• Someone with a collaborative, proactive mindset – values-led and able to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment

What’s on offer:

• Competitive salary plus car allowance
• Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of paying out
• Hybrid working – based 2–3 days per week at their head office
• Private healthcare, cash plan and other wellbeing support
• 25 days holiday + option to buy more
• Inclusive and values-driven culture, with a strong emphasis on employee development and cross-functional collaboration