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- Tasks: Lead demand forecasting and S&OP processes to align teams and drive data-backed decisions.
- Company: Gleeson Recruitment Group values inclusivity and is a disability confident employer.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising demand plans and collaborating across functions in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree required; 5+ years in demand planning or supply chain preferred.
- Other info: Experience with forecasting tools and strong analytical skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking a data-driven and strategic Demand Planning Manager to lead our demand forecasting and S&OP processes. This role is critical in aligning cross-functional teams and ensuring that demand plans reflect commercial strategies, market realities, and supply capabilities. You will be responsible for creating robust demand forecasts, facilitating the monthly S&OP cycle, and helping the business make informed, data-backed decisions.
Key Responsibilities
- Demand Forecasting & Planning
- Develop and maintain an 18-24 month rolling demand forecast at SKU, channel, and customer level using a mix of statistical tools, historical data, and business inputs.
- Analyze sales trends, seasonality, customer demand patterns, POS data, and marketing activities to inform forecast assumptions.
- Track and improve forecast accuracy using metrics such as MAPE, BIAS, and forecast vs. actual variances.
- Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP)
- Own and facilitate the monthly S&OP process, ensuring alignment between Demand, Supply, Sales, Marketing, and Finance.
- Lead Demand Review meetings, preparing key inputs, scenario planning, and insights that support volume and financial alignment.
- Drive consensus across functions on demand plans, forecast risks and opportunities, and supply constraints.
- Translate business strategy into demand plans that support financial objectives, production planning, and inventory goals.
- Monitor execution of S&OP decisions and identify gaps, escalations, or mitigation actions.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Sales and Marketing to incorporate promotional plans, new product launches, and customer feedback into the forecast.
- Work closely with Supply Planning, Operations, and Inventory teams to ensure capacity and supply plans align with demand projections.
- Collaborate with Finance to ensure volume plans align with budget and forecast cycles.
- Inventory & Supply Chain Alignment
- Optimize inventory across channels by balancing supply and demand, avoiding both stockouts and excess.
- Analyze root causes of forecast errors or service issues and recommend continuous improvement actions.
- Support end-to-end visibility and agility in the supply chain by communicating forecast shifts and trends in real time.
- Analytics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Build and maintain reporting dashboards to visualize key forecast and S&OP metrics.
- Conduct post-mortems on forecast performance and apply learnings to future cycles.
- Drive continuous improvement of demand planning processes and tools, including automation and advanced analytics.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Analytics, Economics, or related field; MBA or Master's preferred.
- 5+ years of experience in demand planning, forecasting, or supply chain within a consumer brand or CPG environment.
- Proven experience leading or co-owning an S&OP process.
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret large datasets and convert them into actionable insights.
- Proficiency with forecasting tools (e.g., SAP IBP, Oracle Demantra, NetSuite), ERP systems, and advanced Excel.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic business with competing priorities.
Preferred Qualifications
- APICS, IBF, or S&OP certification (e.g., CPIM, CSCP, CPF, or CLTD).
- Experience working in omnichannel environments (eCommerce, wholesale, retail).
- Familiarity with data visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau.
- Exposure to global or regional planning across markets.
At Gleeson Recruitment Group, we embrace inclusivity and welcome applicants of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We are proud to be a disability confident employer.
By applying you will be registered as a candidate with Gleeson Recruitment Limited. Our Privacy Policy is available on our website and explains how we will use your data.
Demand Planning Manager employer: Gleeson Recruitment Group
Contact Detail:
Gleeson Recruitment Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest demand forecasting tools and methodologies. Since the role requires proficiency in tools like SAP IBP or Oracle Demantra, showcasing your knowledge or experience with these systems can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the supply chain and demand planning field. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with others who may provide insights or even referrals for the Demand Planning Manager position at StudySmarter.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've improved forecast accuracy in previous roles. Being able to articulate your experience with metrics like MAPE and BIAS will demonstrate your analytical skills and understanding of demand planning.
✨Tip Number 4
Research our company culture and values at StudySmarter. Understanding our mission and how the Demand Planning Manager role aligns with it will help you convey your enthusiasm and fit during any interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Demand Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in demand planning, forecasting, and S&OP processes. Use specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to work with large datasets.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your experience with cross-functional collaboration and inventory optimisation.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your educational qualifications and any certifications related to supply chain management or demand planning. If you have experience with specific tools mentioned in the job description, such as SAP IBP or Power BI, be sure to include that.
Showcase Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Provide examples of how you've driven continuous improvement in past roles. This could include automating processes, enhancing forecast accuracy, or implementing new analytics tools. Demonstrating this mindset will resonate well with the company's focus on data-driven decision-making.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gleeson Recruitment Group
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
As a Demand Planning Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to analyse large datasets. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've used data to inform demand forecasts and improve accuracy in previous roles.
✨Understand the S&OP Process
Familiarise yourself with the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process. Be ready to explain how you have facilitated S&OP meetings in the past and how you ensure alignment between different departments like Sales, Marketing, and Finance.
✨Prepare for Scenario Planning
Expect questions about scenario planning and how you handle forecast risks and opportunities. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated challenges in demand forecasting and how you communicated these insights to stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
Highlight your experience working with various teams, such as Sales, Marketing, and Supply Chain. Prepare to discuss how you've incorporated feedback from these teams into your demand forecasts and how this collaboration has led to improved outcomes.
