Demand Planning Manager - S&OP & Forecast Excellence

Danone; Greater London; 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

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Danone in London is seeking an experienced Demand Planning Manager to own accurate, unbiased customer- and SKU-level forecasts through the monthly S&OP process. You will turn data, market insight and commercial assumptions into a robust demand plan while driving forecast accuracy and service.

Collaborating with Commercial, Marketing and Operations, you will lead cross-functional reviews, translate launch plans into forecast scenarios and monitor product performance, applying machine-learning and

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of S&OP processes and cross-functional decision-making.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management of senior colleagues.
• Strong analytical capability to interpret complex data and translate insights into action.
• Knowledge of statistical forecasting; machine-learning experience is desirable.
• Agility and sound judgement to take ownership in uncertain environments.
• Results-focused mindset and continuous improvement.
• Strong Excel skills; Power BI and SAP IBP are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain accurate customer- and SKU-level forecasts across a rolling 18-month horizon.
• Own 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.
• 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.

Skills

S&OP processes

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Data interpretation

Excel

Power BI

SAP IBP

Machine learning

Communication skills

Decision making

Tools

Power BI

SAP IBP

Job description

Danone in London is seeking an experienced Demand Planning Manager to own accurate, unbiased customer- and SKU-level forecasts through the monthly S&OP process. You will turn data, market insight and commercial assumptions into a robust demand plan while driving forecast accuracy and service.

Collaborating with Commercial, Marketing and Operations, you will lead cross-functional reviews, translate launch plans into forecast scenarios and monitor product performance, applying machine-learning and