Inventory and Demand Planner

Kidde Global Solutions; Cambridge; Remote; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Incentives and career development

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Kidde Global Solutions in Cambridge, UK is seeking an Inventory and Demand Planner for the EMEA region. You will forecast demand, optimize inventory, and plan supply across finished goods and key components to balance service levels with working capital.

You will align demand with sales, operations and finance, drive data-driven decision making, and support the S&OP/IBP process. Strong English skills and 3+ years in planning are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering or Business.
• 3+ years in demand/inventory planning in a multi-country setting.
• Excellent English; Polish is advantageous (optional).
• Advanced Excel and ERP/PLM tools experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop rolling demand forecasts by customer/channel/SKU for EMEA.
• Translate demand plans into supply needs with Operations and Supply Planning.
• Collaborate with Sales/Marketing/Product for promotions and launches.
• Support S&OP/IBP process aligning demand, supply and finances.
• Monitor forecast accuracy, bias and drive corrective actions.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Forecasting

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

English proficiency

Travel readiness

Education

Degree in Supply Chain/Operations/Engineering/Business

CPIM/CSCP certification advantage

Tools

Oracle/JDE ERP systems

Job description

Location: Cambridge, UK

Contract Type: Full time contract.

Role’s overview:

The Inventory and Demand Planner, EMEA is responsible for driving accurate demand forecasting, inventory optimization and supply planning across Kidde’s Residential Fire portfolio in Europe & UK. This role plays a critical part in balancing service levels, working capital and operational efficiency by aligning demand signals from sales teams with supply capabilities across manufacturing and distribution.

The successful candidate will act as the central planning link between commercial teams, supply chain, operations and finance, providing clear visibility of demand, risks and opportunities, while enabling data-driven decision making.

Key responsibilities:

Demand Planning & Forecasting:

• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve rolling demand forecasts across EMEA by customer, channel, and SKU.
• Translate demand plans into supply requirements and collaborate with Operations and Supply Planning to ensure feasible execution.
• Partner closely with Sales, Marketing and Product Management to incorporate promotions, launches, phase-ins/outs and market intelligence into demand plans.
• Act as a key contributor to the S&OP / IBP process, ensuring clear alignment between demand, supply and financial plans.
• Facilitate monthly demand review processes, ensuring forecast assumptions are clearly documented and aligned.
• Analyze forecast accuracy and bias, identify root causes of variance, and drive corrective actions.

Inventory Planning & Optimization:

• Own inventory targets and policies across finished goods and key components to balance service level and working capital objectives.
• Monitor inventory health (excess, slow-moving, obsolete stock) and develop mitigation plans in collaboration with commercial and operations teams.
• Support inventory segmentation and safety stock optimization.

Performance Management & Insights

• Track and report key planning KPIs including forecast accuracy, service level, inventory turns and ageing.
• Provide clear, concise insights and recommendations to leadership to support decision-making.
• Continuously improve planning processes, tools, and ways of working, driving standardisation and best practice across the region.

Systems & Data Excellence

• Support enhancements to planning tools, reporting and analytics capabilities.

Key requirements:

• Degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, Business (or a related discipline) preferred.
• APICS / CPIM / CSCP or similar certification will be an advantage.
• Min. 3 years of experience in demand planning, inventory planning or supply chain roles within a complex, multi-country environment.
• Experience in FMCG, consumer durables or industrial/manufacturing sectors is highly regarded.
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with ERP and planning systems (e.g. Oracle & JDE or similar).
• Exposure to S&OP/IBP processes and cross-functional planning forums.
• Very good English is a must, Polish language will be seen as advantage.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to translate data into clear business insights.

• Proven ability to influence and align stakeholders across Sales, Marketing, Operations and Finance, combined with great communication skills.
• Willingness to travel (ca 10% of time).

What we offer :

• To be part of a globally respected brand under Kidde Global Solutions.
• Competitive salary package, incentives and career development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements.