Demand Planner

ZipRecruiter; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Demand Planner

Hours: 37 hours per week (flexibility to consider minimum of 30 hours per week)

Permanent/Fixed Term: Maternity Cover (12-month Fixed term contract)

Location: Cheltenham

Key Objectives

As part of the Supply Chain department, you will manage end-to-end demand planning for your assigned brands, including sales analysis, forecasting, and KPI-driven stock management. Brand assignments may change based on business priorities. You will contribute to building a strong supply network by participating in sourcing, negotiation, and forming strategic supplier partnerships. Collaborating with the wider Supply Chain team, you will also work closely with Sales, Product Development, Commercial Planning, and R&D to ensure cross-functional alignment.

Key Responsibilities

Sales & performance analysis alongside ad-hoc analytical work:

• Navigate various data sources such as ERP systems, Power BI Reporting & spreadsheets.
• Work with pre-set templates and reports, as well as blank page thinking.
• Articulately sharing key findings with relevant stakeholders.

Demand Planning activities:

• Conduct regular forecast reviews, working in alignment with commercial sales plans and customer feedback. Propose and execute measures to improve the quality of the forecasts where appropriate.
• Participate in new product development projects and launches into market, partaking in the Stage Gate project management process as well as weekly, cross-functional brand project meetings.
• Engage and support in regular portfolio reviews with the Brand Managers.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels in accordance with set KPI targets (I.e., stock turn, forecasting accuracy, availability).
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with suppliers and focus on building a robust supply network.

Procurement and inventory management – maximise sales via effective stock management:

• Minimise obsolescence stock and effectively manage stock tails (end of life-cycle product management)
• Mitigate the impact of slow-moving SKUs, working cross-functionally to establish solutions.
• Manage inventory levels and advise the customer service team on stock availability for customer orders.
• Work closely with your supplier base, monitoring their OTIF performance and conducting strategic reviews.
• Carry out sourcing activities, including cost negotiations, MOQ and lead time optimisation, as well as identify and pursue dual/new supplier options.
• Raise and expedite purchase orders, working closely with the logistics team and our freight forwarder on import & export requirements.
• Develop a strong relationship with our 3PL partners in the UK and USA, ensuring a smooth stock inbound process and supporting with stock reconciliation work.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements

• Degree-qualified (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Business or Finance.
• Proven experience in demand forecasting within a formal Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process, using ERP systems and forecasting software.
• Strong negotiation skills and supplier management experience.
• Highly analytical and proficient in working with numerical data.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, with the ability to interpret complex information and anticipate potential challenges.
• High level of commercial awareness, particularly within the beauty and lifestyle industry; experience in the retail sector is advantageous.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with other MS Office applications.

Key Competency Requirements

• Strong analytical skills applied across ad-hoc analysis and forecasting tasks.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and decision-making, demonstrating initiative and a positive attitude.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with colleagues, suppliers, customers, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, challenging existing processes and contributing to process enhancements.
• Commercial awareness that informs day-to-day operations and strategic decision-making.
• A drive for creating efficiencies and seeking optimisation, whilst remaining adaptable to change.
• Effective teamwork skills, operating cross-functionally within a supportive Demand Planning team.
• Ability to remain calm and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.