Forecast Specialist Benelux - Utrecht

Arla Foods; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Arla Foods is seeking a talented Demand Planner to strengthen forecasting foundations across local and European demand planning communities. You will forecast across short- and long-term horizons using historical data, business insight, and advanced techniques to deliver accurate, automated demand views.

You will analyse seasonality, events and customer behaviour, monitor KPIs, and drive continuous improvement across processes and systems.

Qualifications

• Analytical and curious with interest in demand drivers and value creation.
• Ability to translate data into meaningful business insight.
• Experience with forecasting data, statistical models and planning technology.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop accurate short- and long-term forecasts using historical sales data and business insight.
• Apply forecasting techniques and AI to improve accuracy and reduce manual intervention.
• Analyze seasonality, cannibalisation and changes in customer behaviour.
• Monitor KPIs and identify opportunities for corrective action.
• Tune forecasting models and parameters to improve performance.
• Turn complex data into actionable insight for better decisions.

Skills

Demand Planning

Data Analysis

Forecasting

Statistical Models

Planning Technology

Stakeholder Influence

Continuous Improvement

Job description

Ready to shape the future of forecasting? At Arla, great decisions start with understanding future demand. Please join us as our new

In this new role, you will strengthen our forecasting foundations and ways of working, combining master data, technology and commercial insight to improve automation and accuracy.

Working across local and European Demand Planning communities, Commercial and Supply Chain, you will turn complex data into actionable insight, challenge assumptions and align forecasting best practice.

How You Will Make An Impact

You will optimise forecasts across the S&OP horizon, using statistical modelling and business intelligence to build a robust, automated view of demand and deliver strong KPI performance.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Developing accurate, system-based short- and long-term forecasts using historical sales, future demand and business insight.
• Applying technology, advanced forecasting techniques and AI to improve accuracy and reduce unnecessary manual intervention.
• Analysing seasonality, cannibalisation, special events and changes in customer behaviour.
• Monitoring core KPIs, identifying opportunities and taking corrective action.
• Optimising forecasting models and parameters to improve performance.
• Turning complex data into actionable insight for better decisions.
• Strengthening demand planning master data and driving continuous improvement across processes, systems and ways of working.

What Will Make You Successful

You are analytical and curious, with a strong interest in demand drivers and improvements that deliver lasting business value. You combine problem-solving skills with the confidence to challenge constructively, influence stakeholders and turn insight into action. You work independently while building strong cross-functional relationships.

You will bring

• Experience in Demand Planning, Supply Chain Planning, forecasting or a similar analytical environment;
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate data into meaningful business insight;
• Experience with forecasting data, statistical models and planning technology;
• An understanding of demand drivers and their impact on forecast performance;
• Strong communication, collaboration and stakeholder-influencing skills;
• A continuous improvement mindset and an interest in smarter ways of working.

What do we offer?

Join a collaborative organisation where you can influence how we understand and plan future demand. You will develop your expertise in data, technology and advanced forecasting, shape best practice and contribute to continuous improvement across CSX & DP.

Ref. 111745

Shape the Future of Dairy

Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.