At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape demand plans using data and collaborate with teams to drive business decisions.
- Company: Join Arla, a farmer-owned leader in the dairy industry with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Gain meaningful responsibility, steep learning curve, and supportive colleagues.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous improvement and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact on the future of dairy while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong analytical skills and ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Do you turn data into insight and enjoy collaborating cross functionally around the future demand signal of a market leading business? You'll play a key role in shaping demand plans that support decision-making across Arla - combining data, commercial understanding and stakeholder engagement to help the business make confident decisions across the planning horizon.
How You Will Make an Impact
- You will play a key role in building the demand plan for your area, partnering with Sales, Category, Supply Chain and wider Planning teams to create robust, insight-led forecasts that drive decisions and processes across the business.
- You'll play a leading role in the S&OP process for your area, manage NPD/promotions/events, and use SAP IBP and exception-based analytics to continuously improve forecast quality and business performance.
- Provide rolling yearly, weekly and daily demand forecasts by SKU, customer and despatch site - enabling strong cross-functional decision making.
- Build robust SAP IBP forecasts, maintain cleaned history and apply seasonality, trends and business insight to create the best possible view of future demand.
- Play a leading role in the S&OP process for your area; monitor forecast accuracy, bias and other key KPIs, identifying opportunities to improve forecast quality and planning performance.
- Build strong relationships across Sales, Category, Supply Chain and Planning teams, aligning stakeholders around forecast assumptions, risks and opportunities.
- Support the successful planning and execution of NPD, promotions, seasonal events and other key business initiatives, helping ensure plans are understood, aligned and delivered.
- Monitor demand signals and support S&OE activities, adjusting forecasts where required, escalating risks and opportunities, and continuously improving ways of working and system capability.
This role sits within the Demand Planning team at our Leeds head office and reports to the Head of Demand Planning.
What Will Make You Successful
- You will bring a solid understanding of demand management and collaborative forecasting, combining strong analytical capability with the ability to communicate clearly, influence stakeholders and translate data into actionable insight.
- You will be comfortable working with large data sets and planning systems whilst also building trust across Sales, Planning and Logistics teams.
- You will make sound judgements under pressure, challenge assumptions constructively, and thrive in an SAP IBP-led, exception-based environment.
- You understand that successful demand planning is about more than producing a forecast - it's about understanding the drivers behind demand, building confidence in the plan and helping the business make better decisions.
- Personally, you will be a proactive, relationship-driven planner who seeks continuous improvement, enjoys solving problems and is motivated to make an impact.
We work closely together and promise you a steep learning curve, meaningful responsibility and colleagues who will cheer, support and challenge you every day.
What Do We Offer?
You’ll join a farmer‑owned market leader with a collaborative culture and strong commitment to development - making things better for our customers, the farmers who own us and the whole world.
Would You Like to Join Us?
Applications close on 31st July 2026. Please apply as soon as possible as we review applications on a continuous basis and may close early if we find the right candidate.
Shape the Future of Dairy. Arla is a global leader in the dairy industry, committed to enabling good food choices that make life better, providing people with natural, sustainable nourishment, while taking care at every step to ensure Arla is a choice they can feel good about. If you are looking to shape the future with an ambitious global cooperative that truly cares about your growth, where everyone feels valued and empowered, and collaboration is the core of culture, Arla is a choice you can feel good about.
Demand Planner - Leeds - 12 Month FTC employer: Arla
Arla Lockerbie is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, where continuous improvement and operational excellence are at the forefront. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional growth, skill development, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. With a commitment to sustainability and a culture that values every team member, Arla is dedicated to helping you thrive in your career while shaping the future of dairy.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand Planner - Leeds - 12 Month FTC
✨Tap into Temp Agency Networks
If you're eyeing a temporary role in supply chain operations, temp agencies can be your best pals. They often have exclusive contracts with companies like Arla that might not be posted publicly. Get registered with a few reputable agencies and stay in touch—they might just have the perfect gig for you!
✨Make Your Skills Shine
In the world of supply chain operations, showcasing your relevant skills can set you apart in a heartbeat. Try to highlight your experience with logistics software or inventory management techniques when chatting with potential employers. Offer specific examples of how you’ve streamlined operations in the past; it’s all about making that connection!
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Getting out there in the community isn’t just for full-time roles! Attend local supply chain meetups and networking events, as they can lead to temporary job opportunities. Plus, you never know—someone in the room could know about an immediate opening at Arla or have tips on where to look.
✨Be Agile and Available
For temporary positions, having flexibility can make you much more desirable to employers. Keep your schedule open and be ready to jump into assignments at short notice. If you can show that you’re adaptable, companies like Arla will notice and might keep you in mind for future temporary opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Demand Planner - Leeds - 12 Month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Supply Chain Knowledge:Make sure you showcase any relevant coursework or experience in supply chain management in your CV. If you've worked with inventory management systems, logistics planning, or demand forecasting, include specific examples to demonstrate your skills—this is key in supply chain operations!
Certifications Can Make a Difference:If you've got any certifications related to supply chain operations, like APICS or Six Sigma, splash them in your CV! They can really help you stand out. Temporary roles often look for candidates who can hit the ground running, so proving you’ve got that extra knowledge is a big plus.
Emphasise Flexibility in Your Application:Since this is a temporary role, it's super important to highlight your flexibility and readiness to adapt to new environments. In your cover letter, mention your ability to learn quickly and your willingness to take on diverse tasks—this shows that you're the right fit for a dynamic supply chain environment.
Make Your CV Concise and Relevant:Keep your CV tight and relevant, focusing on the most important past experiences that relate directly to supply chain operations. Avoid filler and concentrate on the skills and experiences that will impress Arla and relate to the temporary nature of the role. Let's get you that interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arla
✨Know Your Supply Chain Tools
Brush up on the specific tools and software commonly used in supply chain operations, like SAP or Oracle. Make sure to highlight your familiarity with these during the interview at Arla, as it shows you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
In a temporary role, they’ll want to see how quickly you can adapt and solve problems. Prepare for scenario-based questions that may ask how you’d handle disruptions like delays or inventory shortages. Think of real examples from your past experiences to share!
✨Flexibility is Key
As this is a temporary position, emphasise your willingness to be flexible. Talk about how you’ve quickly adapted to changes in previous roles or how you’re able to step in and learn new processes swiftly, especially those unique to Arla.
✨Prepare for Team Dynamics
Temporary roles often require quick integration into teams. Be ready to discuss your communication style and how you work collaboratively. You might face questions about working with cross-functional teams, so think about how you can highlight your teamwork skills.
