Lead Demand Planner

On; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global sportswear company seeks a Lead - Demand Planner to oversee the complete demand planning process. The successful candidate will drive precise and consensus-driven forecasts, navigate ambiguity, and lead projects impacting product availability. Requirements include over 6 years of relevant experience, cross-functional collaboration skills, and proficiency with data tools like Anaplan. Join a team committed to operational excellence and sustainability while fostering personal growth and well-being.

Benefits

Supportive team environment

Access to self-care resources

Focus on personal growth and well-being

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in demand, inventory, or supply planning for a multi-channel product company.
• Experience leading complex planning projects and integrating diverse input.
• Solid understanding of inventory management and commercial objectives.

Responsibilities

• Drive the entire demand planning lifecycle and generate demand plans.
• Lead analysis of historical sales and market trends.
• Coordinate cross-functional stakeholder alignment.

Skills

Demand planning

Data analysis

Statistical forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Tools

Anaplan

D365

Job description

As the Lead - Demand Planner, you will own the end-to-end demand planning process, driving the creation of accurate, aggregated, and consensus-driven volume and value forecasts to optimize inventory and ensure a solid Demand and Supply match. You will lead complex planning projects that directly impact our premium product availability and commercial objectives across all channels. Synthesizing diverse cross‑functional inputs, you will navigate ambiguity, challenge conventional planning assumptions, and champion process innovations to enhance forecast accuracy and support On’s rapid, sustainable growth. Reporting to the Head of Demand Planning, AMER, you will support the successful commercial execution of our ambitious regional strategy.

Your Mission

• Drive the entire demand planning lifecycle, generating precise, consolidated demand plans at multiple levels of aggregation for budgeting and monthly rolling forecasting processes
• Lead the analysis of historical sales, market trends, and internal demand drivers to develop and refine statistical forecast models, constantly evaluating and improving forecast results and accuracy
• Coordinate cross‑functional stakeholder alignment, integrating input from Sales, Merchandising, and Finance to reconcile significant variances and establish a consensus demand plan
• Act as a planning partner to the Global Supply and Demand Planning teams, collaboratively developing inventory and replenishment strategies for existing items, new product launches, and product phase‑outs
• Coordinate and clearly communicate customer action plans, inventory days, and liquidation strategies with Sales & Operations and Supply Planning teams to balance commercial speed with operational efficiency
• Identify underlying issues and root causes within the planning process, delivering autonomous solutions to complex problems and recommending process innovations that improve overall efficiency
• Build a diverse and effective network within On, proactively engaging peers and leaders from various backgrounds and functions to exchange knowledge and drive cross‑functional project success
• Navigate the inherent ambiguity of rapid growth, prioritizing work autonomously without relying on predefined solutions and making wise, mindful decisions that push execution forward

Your Story

• 6+ years of progressive experience in demand, inventory, replenishment, or supply planning for a multi‑channel product company with rapid growth and operational scaling, preferably within the premium global sportswear or fashion industries
• Demonstrated experience in leading complex, end‑to‑end projects that required challenging prevailing planning assumptions and successfully integrating diverse, sometimes contradictory, input to solve complex business problems
• Proven expertise in demand planning processes, analytical, and data tools, including experience with systems like Anaplan and D365, with the ability to leverage these platforms to derive strategic, commercial insights from large data sets to drive forecast accuracy
• Solid understanding of inventory management practices, commercial objectives, and the critical need to balance brand integrity and operational efficiency when executing liquidation and replenishment strategies
• Proficiency in impactful communication, data visualisation, and storytelling skills, with a proven ability to tailor information for senior and diverse audiences to effectively facilitate cross‑functional dialogue and critical decision‑making
• Strong analytical and strategic planning capabilities, demonstrated by a history of engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels and from diverse functional backgrounds to drive consensus on new and complex topics

Meet The Team

The Regional Operations Team is the engine of On. We are the driving force behind operational excellence, meticulously ensuring the right product reaches our fans at the right time. Our team embodies a relentless commitment to productivity, efficiency, and quality, putting them at the core of everything we do. We leverage data‑driven decision‑making, adaptability, and a proactive mindset, consistently challenging the status quo to innovate how we work. Collaborating closely with internal and external stakeholders, we analyze and balance current supply and demand dynamics to support the business’s global growth, delivering excellence in all that we do. We foster an environment where continuous learning and holistic well‑being are championed, supporting each member to build their best self.

What We Offer

On is a place that is centered around growth and progress. We offer an environment designed to give people the tools to develop holistically - to stay active, to learn, explore and innovate. Our distinctive approach combines a supportive, team‑oriented atmosphere, with access to personal self‑care for both physical and mental well‑being, so each person is led by purpose. On is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a work environment that is fair and inclusive, where all decisions related to recruitment, advancement, and retention are free of discrimination. We are requesting that you provide sensitive demographic information such as gender identity and race/ethnicity to help us ensure that we are creating equitable and fair experiences for all potential future team members. You are not required to provide this demographic information and this information will in no way impact your eligibility for hire.