Senior Demand Manager

Social network you want to login/join with:

THIS is a high-growth, VC-backed emerging leader in producing plant-based food. Meat-alternatives, to be exact. In fact, if we’re being reallllly exact – our products are at the leading-edge of the plant-based sector in terms of taste, texture and appearance. Here’s our insta, for a quick stalk - www.instagram.com/this.uk

It’s worth mentioning that since our launch in June 2019, the company has experienced extremely significant growth in revenue. In 2023, THIS topped The Grocer and Alantra’s annual Fast 50 list, a ranking of the country’s fastest-growing food and drink companies on two-year sales growth. We have strong aspirations to continue this growth trajectory as we aim to be the number 1 plant-based brand in the UK and beyond and we believe we have the team and investment to achieve this.

Why are we doing THIS?

Andy and Pete are our co-founders and their last job entailed selling tonnes (literally tonnes) of meat. Then they felt bad. Also, they felt like meat-alternatives weren't really for people who love the taste of meat. So they’ve basically ended up making THIS for themselves, but they’d love other meat-lovers to give it a go too. THIS is a game-changer.

At our core, our vision is to have a world where animals aren’t food and the environment is protected.

Our mission statement to guide us to getting there is:

“We will lead a revolution with our ridiculously delicious and nutritious plant-based food.”

What’s with this role?

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Demand Manager to join our busy supply chain team. With the continued expansion into new product categories and rapid growth, this role will be dedicated to lead the customer supply side of our supply chain. While the role comes with great autonomy to develop this function, you will ultimately be responsible for managing the relationships with our key customers, keeping the sales team informed of all supply decisions and keeping orders flowing through our systems, to our warehouses and into our customer depots.

This is a truly cross-functional role, working with the wider supply chain team, commercial team, and customers to maximise service level and in-store availability, reduce waste and, ultimately, maximise our sales opportunities.

As a brand that puts innovation and our customers at its core, this is a hugely important and influential role as you will have overall responsibility for managing our S&OP process and forecasting to ensure that all NPD launches are a success.

What will you be getting up to?

• Leading the S&OP Cycle: Own and drive the S&OP cycle, ensuring alignment between demand, supply, commercial & finance teams to support business objectives.
• Demand Planning & Forecasting: Lead the demand planning process, working cross-functionally to maintain accurate forecasts, ensuring optimal stock levels and availability.
• Customer Engagement: Chair monthly supply meetings with key customers, fostering strong relationships, aligning on forecasts, and addressing any service or supply challenges.
• Financial Alignment: Work closely with finance teams on order fulfilment, resolving debit notes, and maintaining our EDI system, ensuring orders flow seamlessly into our finance system, Netsuite.
• NPD & Supply Chain Initiatives: Play a key role in new product development launches, collaborating with innovation, commercial, and supply chain teams to ensure smooth product launches and transitions.
• Process & Efficiency Improvements: Drive continuous improvement across demand planning and supply chain processes, identifying and implementing efficiencies to enhance performance.
• Outbound distribution: Oversee and manage all outbound distribution from our warehouses, troubleshooting and resolving any issues. Update and manage the outbound distribution budget, ensuring cost-effective operations while maintaining high service levels.

What are we looking for?

• 5+ years in a similar role within FMCG, with experience working with chilled, short-life products.
• Very analytical with advanced Excel skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and high numerical aptitude.
• Great communicator who collaborates easily with others and is confident presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Ideally a person who’s worked in a high-growth company and has experienced all of the associated growing pains, challenges and wins.

Alignment with our company values:

• Be Kind: We support and include each other, we’re honest and give feedback, we’re considerate and act with love and trust, we have fun, and we look after the planet.
• Be Brave: We’re adaptable and embrace change, we’re resilient and have a growth mindset, we think creatively and speak up, we change course if we need to, and we learn and grow.
• Be Focused: We always drive towards our mission and vision, we make sustainable long-term decisions, we deliver for our consumers by prioritising the right things, we think business-minded - brand and consumer, and we own our own roles.
• Be Passionate: We’re ambassadors of our company and products, we’re THIS geeks and experts, we’re purpose-led, and we’re aware of our impact on the outside world.

From our side:

• A competitive salary that fairly recognises your experience and potential.
• 25 days paid Holiday Allowance, plus the 8 bank holidays, plus 1 paid Wellbeing Day a month to take off to dedicate to yourself. That’s a total of 45 paid days off per full year – we care about our team’s wellbeing, so we make sure you have time to fully switch off, rest, and recharge.
• Hybrid working – 2 days in the West London office = Tuesdays and you choose your second day each week.
• Flexible working hours – We're not a 9-5. Our focus is on your ability to deliver for the business, not your ability to keep strict working hours.
• Life assurance.
• Mental health support - the company pays for Spill, a mental health wellness provider that gives everyone access to mental health resources, and qualified therapists for unlimited therapy sessions.
• Access to our Freebie Freezer so you can eat as much of THIS as you fancy.

The chance to have a meaningful impact:

As a relatively small, albeit growing, team you'll be exposed to, and have the chance to contribute towards, challenges and projects at all levels and in all areas of the business. A good idea is a good idea, regardless of the experience or seniority of who came up with it.

We'd love to hear from you, so feel free to apply with your CV and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

THIS’ Equity, Diversity and Inclusion hiring commitment:

We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all our team members and strive to create an environment that encourages authenticity, collaboration, and growth. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in our industry. If you need any adjustments to the recruitment process to help you perform at your best, please let us know – we're here to support you.