At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead end-to-end Category Planning and drive demand and supply performance.
- Company: Join Danone, a certified B Corp committed to health and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, flexible working, and great rewards.
- Other info: Embrace a hybrid work culture that values community and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on health and sustainability while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in Supply Chain and Demand Planning, ideally in FMCG.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 105000 £ per year.
Salary £90,000 – £105,000 + Car Allowance, Bonus & Benefits.
At Danone, we’re working to make the world healthier while building a more sustainable future. As a certified B Corp, our ambitions come to life through the decisions our people and leaders make every day.
We’re looking for a Head of Category Planning to lead end-to-end planning performance across key categories within our North Europe business. This is a senior Supply Chain Planning leadership role with responsibility for Demand Planning and the orchestration of supply across a complex, multi-country FMCG environment. You’ll connect commercial ambition with operational reality, ensuring we make the right decisions across forecasting, demand, supply, inventory, service, cost and waste. You’ll be at the heart of our Integrated Business Planning (IBP) and Sales & Operations Execution (S&OE) processes, influencing senior stakeholders, navigating competing priorities and developing a high-performing Category Planning team.
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Lead end-to-end Category Planning
- Own planning performance across multiple categories, driving service, availability and overall business performance.
- Ensure planning readiness for innovation, portfolio changes and business transformation.
- Anticipate supply and service risks and lead effective mitigation and recovery plans.
- Drive Demand & Supply Planning
- Lead the Demand Planning and forecasting process, creating robust assumptions and high-quality forecasts.
- Connect Demand Planning, Supply Planning and Logistics to build achievable, responsive category plans.
- Translate market insights, risks and opportunities into clear scenarios and recommendations.
- Influence business decisions
- Partner with senior stakeholders across Commercial, Finance, Manufacturing, Logistics, Procurement and Operations.
- Use data and scenario planning to inform priorities, trade-offs and executive decision-making.
- Strengthen IBP and S&OE governance and build greater cross-functional planning discipline.
- Optimise service, inventory, cost & waste
- Balance customer service and availability with inventory, cost and waste objectives.
- Lead decision-making during supply constraints, shortages and operational disruption.
- Champion simplification, productivity and continuous improvement across planning.
- Lead & develop a high-performing team
- Coach, develop and inspire the Category Planning team.
- Create clear standards and expectations for planning excellence.
- Build capability in digital planning, analytics and data-driven decision-making.
About you:
- You’ll bring significant Supply Chain, Demand Planning, Supply Planning or Operations leadership experience, ideally gained within FMCG or consumer goods.
- You’ll also have strong knowledge of Demand Planning, Supply Planning, forecasting, S&OE and IBP.
- Experience leading planning across multiple categories, markets or countries.
- Experience operating within complex supply chains with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- A track record of leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Strong commercial judgement and the ability to turn complex data into clear business recommendations.
- Confidence influencing and challenging senior stakeholders.
- Experience managing ambiguity, supply constraints and changing business priorities.
- A continuous improvement mindset and an interest in using digital tools and data to improve planning performance.
At Danone UK & Ireland, we are committed to delivering better health through better nutrition for millions of consumers and patients in our communities. We believe in the benefits of working both in the office hub and at home. Time in the hub enhances community, problem solving and innovation, while home working supports focus, learning and wellness. Our hybrid working framework is designed to help you perform your role in the most efficient way. Your manager will guide how you split your time between home and your nearest hub, based on your role and business needs. The aim is to support you in doing your best work, while creating connection moments that matter. We have a range of flexible benefits and excellent rewards.
Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) is deeply embedded in Danone's DNA, representing our core values and beliefs. We embrace diversity as a driving force for positive change, nurturing an inclusive workplace where every individual is valued.
The closing date for applications is 12th November 2026, you will therefore hear about your application after this date.
Head of Category Planning in London employer: Danone
Danone is an exceptional employer, committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and sustainability while driving meaningful change in the health and nutrition sector. With a flexible benefits package tailored to individual needs, opportunities for professional growth, and a collaborative work environment, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the UK, Danone offers a unique chance to be part of a certified B-Corp that prioritises long-term strategic thinking and authentic leadership, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Category Planning in London
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Danone, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Head of Category Planning.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Category Planning in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Danone. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Danone and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Danone
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Danone.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Danone
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Danone might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!
