At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global demand and supply planning processes, driving continuous improvement and system optimisation.
- Company: Join Kimberly-Clark, home to iconic brands like Huggies and Kleenex.
- Benefits: Enjoy a market-leading pension, bonus scheme, and flexible work options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global planning while shaping the future of a new venture.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in demand and supply planning with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies, Kleenex, Andrex, Scott, Kotex, Poise, and Kimberly-Clark Professional. At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you—innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
You were made to create Better Care for a Better World: as a person, you’re a problem-solver – a connector – someone who thrives on creating order from complexity and driving continuous improvement. You see the big picture while mastering the details, ensuring that every product, process, and partnership flows with precision and purpose. You live your life in alignment with the highest values of integrity, efficiency, and collaboration, always working to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s success stories. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world.
This role will be part of Kimberly Clark's International Family Care and Professional (IFP) business—an organization rooted in purpose and innovation that has built a legacy with global impact. As Kimberly-Clark forms a strategic partnership with Suzano to create a world-class international tissue and professional products company, this role is proposed to transfer to the new venture once the transaction closes, anticipated in mid-2026, subject to consultation and other applicable legal requirements. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new global leader backed by two industry powerhouses. You’ll be part of a high-potential business that combines Kimberly-Clark’s iconic brands and commercial excellence with Suzano’s industrial and sustainability leadership.
In one of our Supply Chain roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center. As Global Planning Excellence Team Leader, you will lead the governance and continuous enhancement of global demand and supply planning processes, metrics, systems, S&OP process and organisational capabilities through system optimisation, analytical support and process improvement.
This is not a behind-the-scenes role. You will be the primary strategic leader for demand and supply planning processes and system enablement, partnering with and influencing senior executives, operational planning leaders and teams, IT, and external vendors across multiple business units and geographies. You will also lead the Planning Centre of Excellence team, driving system optimization, global best practices, capability building, and performance improvement. In this role, you will fundamentally transform how demand and supply planning are executed worldwide—elevating performance, consistency, and results.
This role will be responsible for but not limited to:
- Own and lead global demand and supply planning processes and systems, acting as the global process owner and primary authority across forecasting, supply planning, production scheduling, raw material planning, deployment planning, and S&OP. Ensure all processes are aligned with business unit strategies, wider supply chain objectives, and customer requirements.
- Drive system and process optimisation, providing thought leadership on demand and supply planning tools and methodologies. Partner closely with IT and external vendors to implement, enhance, and continuously improve planning systems that are scalable, future‐ready, and fit for purpose.
- Own the global Sales & Operations Planning process, supporting business units to achieve and sustain gold‐standard S&OP maturity. Ensure strong cross‐functional integration, robust governance, and effective decision‐making to balance demand, supply, cost, cash, and service.
- Define, oversee, and communicate key performance indicators for demand and supply planning and S&OP. Drive measurable improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, inventory performance, cost to serve, and overall supply chain effectiveness. Work closely with the Analytics team to turn data into strategy, developing performance frameworks that convert raw data into actionable insights. Enable smarter, faster decision‐making that directly improves cost, cash, service, and operational performance.
- Build organisational capability through training and enablement, designing and deploying capability roadmaps, playbooks, standards, and best practices with a strong continuous improvement mindset. Oversee master‐level training, upskilling programs, and system adoption initiatives across regions. Conduct system usage and process effectiveness insights, identifying gaps in adoption, data quality, and execution discipline, and driving targeted actions to improve planning performance and maturity.
- Lead cross‐functional and cross‐geography transformation initiatives, acting as a visible change leader to modernise planning ways of working and embed consistent, high‐performing global processes and systems.
To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, mathematics, economics, statistics, engineering, computer software, or a related field.
- 10+ years of proven success in demand and supply planning, with expertise in commercially available ERPs and forecasting systems, team leadership and ideally also previous experience of leading S&OP processes globally.
- Experience of implementing new technologies/systems, strong knowledge of statistical modelling, planning optimisation and troubleshooting within demand and supply planning platforms.
- Experience with deploying large-scale planning processes, or tools. Knowledge of Six Sigma, Lean and other continuous improvement methodologies and experience of project management.
- Ability to apply complex mathematical and statistical techniques to improve demand and supply plan accuracy and performance.
- Strong experience of direct people management within supply chain as well as a knack for leading cross-functional teams, influencing stakeholders, and driving collective success, transformation and change management programs.
- Proactive problem-solver with a strategic mindset, exceptional communication skills, and a collaborative approach. Exceptional ability to engage, persuade, and align teams across all levels of the organisation.
We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we're committed to providing them with the resources they need to be successful. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that cares about its employees, then Kimberly-Clark is the place for you.
Market-leading pension contribution.
Bonus scheme.
Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximise health care options and stretch pounds when caring for yourself or dependents.
Private Medical Insurance, great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.
Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.
We believe great work happens when people come together with purpose. That’s why we offer a flexible work model that blends remote work with intentional in-person collaboration — helping you connect, grow, and innovate while maintaining the balance you value.
Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role.
For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses the experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Global Planning Excellence Manager employer: Kimberly-Clark Corporation
At Kimberly-Clark, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programs and a flexible work model that encourages a healthy work-life balance. Located in Walton Oaks, you will be part of a transformative team that not only drives global planning excellence but also contributes to creating better care for billions of people worldwide.
Contact Details:
Kimberly-Clark Corporation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Planning Excellence Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those connected to Kimberly-Clark. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Show how your problem-solving skills align with their mission of creating Better Care for a Better World.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience in demand and supply planning can drive continuous improvement at Kimberly-Clark. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities there.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Planning Excellence Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Global Planning Excellence Manager role. Highlight your expertise in demand and supply planning, and don’t forget to mention any relevant technologies or methodologies you’ve used.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Be sure to connect your experiences to the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in previous roles. We love a proactive problem-solver, so share specific instances where you’ve driven improvements or optimised processes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kimberly-Clark Corporation
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in demand and supply planning processes. Brush up on your knowledge of S&OP, forecasting systems, and any relevant technologies. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re the right fit for the Global Planning Excellence Manager role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in previous roles. Highlight your strategic mindset and ability to drive continuous improvement. This is key for a role that requires transforming planning processes and influencing senior executives.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Kimberly-Clark’s values and mission. They’re all about integrity, efficiency, and collaboration. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their goal of delivering better care for billions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in demand and supply planning or how they envision the future of their Planning Centre of Excellence. This shows you’re not just interested in the job, but also in the company’s success.