Demand Planner EU/UK

Role Purpose:

The primary responsibility of this role is to manage key elements of the forecasting process, facilitating its smooth execution while ensuring the Sales and Commercial teams can effectively own and deliver the forecast itself. This involves maintaining and optimising the Anaplan system to enable seamless task completion, ensuring and managing data integrity for products and customers, performing weekly data uploads, and managing the period rollover process. Additionally, the role supports the creation of a consensus forecast that serves as a critical input for driving accurate demand planning and optimal inventory levels.

The role of a Demand Planner is central to ensuring accurate demand forecasts, efficient inventory management, and seamless collaboration across teams, ultimately supporting the organisation's financial and operational goals.

Responsibilities:

Regional S&OP Coordination:

• Lead the Supply Chain preparation and coordination for Monthly Regional S&OP meetings across the UK and EU regions. Ensure all inputs, materials, and data are prepared accurately and in a timely manner to support effective decision-making.

Forecast Accuracy & Reporting:

• Maintain and continuously improve the forecast accuracy KPI by identifying areas for improvement.
• Produce detailed reports and analyse variances between customer (UK) and market (EU) OP submissions, providing actionable insights to drive focus and challenge where required.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure a consistent and reliable forecasting process.

Risk and Opportunity Management:

• Maintain the Risk and Opportunities (R&O) file for SCIM and Regional S&OP meetings. Work closely with the Supply Planner to provide timely and accurate feedback on R&O updates, ensuring potential risks and opportunities are clearly communicated and addressed.

Demand Review Meetings:

• Conduct monthly demand and forecast review meetings with individual salespersons, focusing on key strategic customers.
• Analyse demand patterns, customer behaviour, and market trends to identify risks, opportunities, and key drivers of demand.
• Facilitate alignment on an 18-month rolling forecast, considering contracted safety stock levels and strategic objectives.
• Statistical Forecasting Support:
• Create and maintain statistical forecasts in Anaplan for key strategic customers to support the Commercial team in creating accurate and reliable sales forecasts.

Product Lifecycle Management

SKU Lifecycle Management:

• Review and manage product lifecycles, maintaining the SKU rationalisation file. Coordinate the six-monthly review process to identify SKUs for discontinuation.

New Product Launch Monitoring:

• Monitor and report on the performance of new product launches, comparing planned launch volumes against actual results over a 12-month post-launch period. Highlight variances and recommend corrective actions where necessary.

NPD/EPD Process Management:

• Oversee the introduction of NPD/EPD by ensuring accurate product setup in Anaplan hierarchies. Provide forecast guidance to the Commercial team, support phase-out timings, and ensure alignment with lifecycle stages.

Product Setup & Lifecycle Management:

• Manage product setup and lifecycle processes within Anaplan, including NPD introductions, product changes, and discontinuations. Ensure timely and accurate data entry to support commercial and Supply Chain functions

Data Management & System Maintenance

Anaplan System Management:

• Ensure data integrity within Anaplan, including maintaining product and customer hierarchies, managing period rollovers, archiving forecasts, and addressing data issues.
• Coordinate with the Anaplan admin team to resolve any system-related problems and implement enhancements.

Data Uploads and Issue Resolution:

• Perform weekly data uploads from NetSuite, identifying and resolving data discrepancies. Escalate unresolved issues to relevant parties for resolution.

Supply Chain Collaboration

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Represent the Supply Chain team at SRM meetings, acting as a liaison between Commercial teams and Supply Chain. Capture and communicate relevant updates to the Supply Planner and broader Supply Chain team.

Allocation Forecasting:

• Manage allocation forecasts and align with Sales Managers to ensure proportionate allocation aligns with strategic objectives, balancing supply and demand effectively.

New Market Demand Planning:

• Plan demand for new market in collaboration with the relevant Sales Manager or Regional Director. Ensure the demand plan is prepared and communicated effectively.

Process Improvement & Collaboration

• Process Improvement:
• Identify and implement initiatives to enhance the forecasting process, improve accuracy and efficiency, and streamline overall planning effectiveness.

Collaboration & Communication Initiatives:

• Lead initiatives to foster stronger collaboration and team communication, ensuring alignment and driving continuous improvement in demand planning processes.

Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Operations, Logistics, Data Analytics, or a related field.

Certifications (optional but desirable):

o APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).

o Six Sigma, Lean Management, or other process improvement certifications.

o Proficiency certification in demand planning tools (e.g., Anaplan, SAP, or NetSuite).

Technical Skills essential for this role :

o Strong proficiency in demand planning software (e.g., Anaplan, SAP IBP, Oracle, NetSuite).

o Advanced Excel skills (e.g., pivot tables, macros, and data analysis).

o Familiarity with ERP systems and BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).

o Knowledge of statistical and forecasting methods and tools.

Experience

 

Demand Planning & Forecasting :

o Proven experience (3–5 years) in a demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain role within a fast-paced environment.

o Experience in managing and improving forecast accuracy and collaborating across teams to align on a consensus forecast.

o Hands-on experience working with planning system in refining statistical forecasting output.

Supply Chain Management :

o Solid understanding of supply chain principles, including inventory management, production planning, and distribution processes.

Data Analysis & Reporting :

o Demonstrated ability to analyse complex data sets, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable recommendations.

o Experience in creating and maintaining performance reports (e.g., KPI dashboards) for stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration :

o Experience working closely with Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams to align forecasts with business objectives.

o Strong communication skills to effectively influence and challenge stakeholders at various levels.

Product Lifecycle Management :

o Experience managing product lifecycles, including new product introductions, discontinuations, and SKU rationalisation.

System Management & Process Improvement :

o Hands-on experience maintaining and optimising demand planning systems, ensuring data integrity and resolving system-related issues.

o A track record of implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy in demand planning processes.

Industry Knowledge (optional):

• Familiarity with the specific industry (e.g., FMCG, retail, manufacturing, or pharmaceuticals) is beneficial but not essential.

Soft Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work to tight deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to foster collaboration across teams.