Demand Planner (Hertfordshire Area) in Watford

Candidates within 10 miles of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire preferred.

About us

Aerospheres, a Krayden Company, is a trusted aerospace material supplier, providing the aviation industry with innovative solutions and exceptional, responsive service for over 30 years. Since 1990, Aerospheres has been a reliable aerospace material distributor in the UK, supplying the commercial airline and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) sectors with a complete range of high-quality materials. Today, more than 800 airlines and maintenance facilities worldwide depend on our robust logistics network and our ability to source and deliver even the most hard-to-find materials - often with same-day or next-day turnaround.

Job Overview

The Demand Planner is responsible for the creation of a forecast and overseeing the optimisation of inventory against a demand/supply forecast plan. The plan should be actively managed together with material requirements planning (MRP) to ensure a high level of fulfilment and availability. The Demand planner will work with internal and external stakeholders to drive continuous improvement, enhance forecast accuracy, and ensure compliance with company policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Run the Forecasting process with inputs from all relevant stakeholders to ensure data is accurate and assumptions agreed.
• Refresh the Forecast on an agreed cadence.
• Run the MRP process to identify stock replenishment needs and address stock shortages. Maintain and update MRP parameters, including supplier lead times, sales forecasts, minimum stock limits, and preferred suppliers.
• Support the team in preparing and raising purchase orders for stock replenishment based on MRP outputs. Oversee validation and approval of purchase orders to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure stocking levels are maintained at optimal minimum and maximum levels to support business needs and customer order fulfilment.
• Maintain and manage accurate master data within procurement systems to ensure reliable MRP outputs and reporting.
• Leverage and manage dashboard tools such as Power BI to provide actionable insights for procurement and inventory management.
• Troubleshoot data discrepancies and ensure alignment between operational data and reporting metrics.
• Present actionable insights to senior management and stakeholders using data visualizations and performance dashboards.
• Ensure compliance with company guidelines, purchasing policies, and procedures during all procurement activities.
• Work closely with the procurement team to identify opportunities for process improvements, lead time insights, and business enhancements.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business objectives and drive operational efficiency.
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings to address supply chain risks, resolve bottlenecks, and drive process improvements.
• Train and mentor junior procurement staff on MRP systems, data analysis tools, and best practices.

Competencies and Key Skills

• Familiarity with integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and prior experience in material planning.
• Experience of inventory modelling/MRP systems such as Netstock, Slim4 or Relex.
• Skills and proficiency in Power BI for data analysis and reporting.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with staff, stakeholders, and suppliers.
• Effective time management and prioritization skills to meet deadlines and achieve set targets.
• Effective communication with various stakeholders, including senior management, suppliers, and junior staff.
• Willingness to research and implement advanced forecasting techniques and stay up to date with best practices.
• Ability to work well under pressure, handling emergencies and stressful situations with composure.
• Keen focus on accuracy and detail in all aspects of procurement and data management.

Qualifications and Experience Levels

• A bachelor’s degree in Maths/Statistics, Supply Chain management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in procurement, material planning, or supply chain analytics.
• Demonstrated success in managing MRP processes, inventory optimization.
• Ability to add value and contribute to process and business improvements.
• Computer literacy with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with Power BI or similar data analytics tools, hands-on experience with Power BI, SQL, or Python for data analysis is advantageous.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines and multiple priorities.