Senior Planning Analyst

Muc-Off Ltd; Southampton; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days holiday

Cycle to Work Scheme

Staff discount

Job summary

Muc-Off Ltd in the United Kingdom is seeking a Planning Analyst to deliver demand forecasts, inventory plans and supply recommendations to optimise service levels and working capital. You will bridge Sales, Marketing, Operations, Procurement and Finance with data-driven insights to support growth and customer service objectives.

The role covers demand, inventory and supply planning, new product introductions and S&OP process improvements, requiring advanced Excel, data analysis and BI tooling,

Qualifications

• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills are essential.
• Experience with demand, inventory and supply planning in FMCG.
• Experience supporting new product launches and lifecycle management.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own SKU-level demand forecasts across assigned categories and markets.
• Develop baseline forecasts using historical sales, seasonality and promotions.
• Lead forecast reviews with Sales/Marketing and drive consensus.
• Identify forecast bias and implement corrective actions.
• Balance inventory health with service levels and working capital needs.
• Lead inventory reviews and optimize safety stocks and reorder points.
• Develop supply plans aligned with forecast demand and lead times.
• Collaborate with Procurement to manage capacity risks and supply continuity.
• Support S&OP processes and monthly planning meetings.
• Provide KPI insights and develop planning dashboards.

Skills

Excel (Advanced)

Data analysis

Forecasting

S&OP principles

Tools

Power BI

Job description

Muc-Off was established in 1994 and since then we have experienced strong global growth in the bicycle and motorcycle markets. Today, we are global leaders in our field and have a disruptive and distinctive approach to life.

Partnered with some of the world's best teams and athletes across a range of cycling disciplines, Muc-Off has become the reference point in the care and maintenance category, with exciting and ambitious plans for the future.

About the role

The Planning Analyst is responsible for delivering accurate demand forecasts, inventory plans and supply recommendations to ensure product availability while optimising inventory investment. The role acts as a key link between Sales, Marketing, Operations, Procurement and Finance, providing data-driven insights to support business growth and customer service objectives.

Key responsibilities

Demand Planning

• Own and maintain SKU-level demand forecasts across assigned categories, channels and/or markets
• Develop baseline forecasts using historical sales, seasonality, customer trends, promotional activity, market intelligence and commercial inputs
• Lead regular forecast reviews with Sales and Marketing, challenging assumptions where appropriate and driving consensus on the most likely demand outlook
• Analyse forecast bias and accuracy at SKU, category, channel and customer level and lead corrective actions
• Assess the impact of promotions, campaigns, customer events and seasonality on future demand
• Develop scenario forecasts to support commercial decisions, business risks and opportunities
• Identify emerging demand trends and communicate implications to relevant stakeholders
• Drive improvements in forecasting methodology, processes and system utilisation

Inventory Planning

• Take ownership of inventory health across assigned areas, balancing availability, service levels and working capital requirements
• Recommend and optimise safety stocks, reorder points, target inventory levels and inventory policies
• Proactively identify potential shortages, overstocks, slow-moving inventory and obsolescence risks and coordinate mitigation plans
• Lead inventory reviews with relevant stakeholders and recommend actions to improve stock turns and reduce excess inventory
• Analyse inventory requirements for seasonal peaks, promotions, customer activity and changing demand patterns
• Support Finance and Operations with working capital and inventory budget planning
• Challenge inventory assumptions and recommend appropriate service-level versus stock-investment trade-offs

Supply Planning

• Develop and maintain supply plans aligned with forecast demand, inventory targets, production or supplier capacity and lead times
• Translate demand requirements into forward-looking supply and purchasing requirements
• Partner closely with Procurement and suppliers to identify capacity, lead-time and supply continuity risks
• Monitor inventory coverage and supplier performance and escalates risks before they impact customer service
• Develop recovery and mitigation plans where demand exceeds available supply
• Support decisions relating to allocation and stock prioritisation during periods of constrained supply
• Lead planning activities associated with new product launches, product transitions, discontinuations and phase-outs

New Product Development & Product Lifecycle

• Partner with Marketing, Commercial and Operations teams on demand and inventory planning for new product launches
• Develop launch forecasts and scenarios based on comparable products, customer listings, marketing plans and commercial assumptions
• Track actual launch performance against forecast and rapidly adjust future demand and supply plans
• Manage inventory implications of SKU transitions, reformulations, packaging changes and discontinued products
• Minimise residual and obsolete inventory during product phase-outs

Analysis & Reporting

• Produce and interpret weekly and monthly planning KPIs, focusing on the underlying drivers rather than reporting results alone
• Analyse demand, inventory, service levels, forecast performance and supply performance to identify risks and opportunities
• Convert complex planning data into clear commercial recommendations and actions
• Develop scenario models to assess the inventory, revenue, service and working-capital impact of business decisions
• Provide insight to senior stakeholders on emerging planning risks, opportunities and trends
• Develop and improve planning dashboards, reporting tools and master data
• Identify opportunities to automate or simplify planning processes and reporting
• Play a leading role in the monthly Sales & Operations Planning process
• Prepare and present demand, inventory and supply analysis for S&OP meetings
• Highlight significant forecast changes, supply constraints, inventory risks and business opportunities
• Develop scenarios and recommendations to support management decision-making
• Challenge assumptions from Commercial, Marketing and Operations teams using data and planning insight
• Ensure agreed S&OP decisions are reflected within demand, supply and inventory plans
• Track actions and decisions arising from S&OP and ensure appropriate follow-through

Key KPIs

• Forecast Accuracy (%)
• Inventory Turns
• Stock Availability / Fill Rate
• Excess & Obsolete Inventory
• Inventory Value vs Budget
• Inventory Days/Weeks of Cover
• Slow-Moving Inventory
• New Product Launch Forecast Accuracy
• Working Capital Performance

What we're looking for

Must-haves

• A few years' experience within demand planning, supply planning, inventory planning or a related supply chain analytical role
• Previous planning experience within an FMCG, consumer goods or similarly fast-paced, high-SKU environment
• Strong understanding of demand planning, inventory optimisation, supply planning and S&OP principles
• Demonstrable experience managing forecasts across products with high levels of seasonality, promotional activity and demand volatility
• Experience supporting new product launches and product lifecycle management
• Advanced Excel and data analysis skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to work with large datasets and translate findings into actions

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Experience within a multi-channel FMCG environment including retail, wholesale, distributors, e-commerce and/or international markets
• Experience working with promotional and event-driven demand
• Knowledge of statistical forecasting techniques and forecast modelling
• Experience with Power BI or similar business intelligence tools
• Experience working within a formal S&OP or Integrated Business Planning process
• Experience of planning across both established products and high volumes of NPD

What we can offer

• 33 days holiday, inclusive of UK bank holidays
• Early finish on a Friday
• Excellent staff discount on Muc-Off products
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Long Service Rewards
• Chill-out areas, showers and a secure area to store your bike
• Pension contributions
• An awesome opportunity to work with a local and widely recognised brand
• A cool, casual and fully branded-up working environment where staff indulge their passions for cycling and fitness

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