At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in demand planning and forecasting to optimise supply chain performance.
- Company: Join a rapidly expanding FMCG company with a strong focus on collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, hybrid work, and generous leave.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on supply chain strategies and customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in demand planning and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the Job:
Sector: FMCG / In House Logistics
Location: Walsall, West Midlands
Working Pattern: Hybrid - 3 Days Office / 2 Days Home
Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum + Up to 20% Annual Bonus
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
About the role:
Loom Talent are proud to have been retained by a repeat client, who are rapidly expanding. As a result, they are seeking a Demand Planning Manager to join their Supply Chain team. Reporting into the Head of Supply Chain, the Demand Planning Manager will be responsible for leading a team of 10-15 colleagues, including two Team Leaders, ensuring the delivery of accurate forecasts, exceptional stock availability and effective inventory management across the network.
This is a highly visible leadership role that extends beyond forecasting. You will work closely with Commercial, Category, Supply Chain, Operations and Supplier partners to influence business strategy, optimise stock investment and drive continuous improvement across planning processes. The successful candidate will combine strong people leadership with analytical expertise, ensuring the Demand Planning team delivers against key business objectives while supporting wider supply chain performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing Demand Planning team of 10-15 colleagues, including two Team Leaders.
- Own the end-to-end demand planning and forecasting process across the business.
- Drive improvements in forecast accuracy, product availability and inventory performance.
- Work collaboratively with Commercial and Category teams to incorporate promotional activity, seasonal events, new product launches and market trends into demand plans.
- Ensure optimum stock levels are maintained while balancing working capital, waste and customer service objectives.
- Support the development and execution of the wider Supply Chain strategy.
- Analyse demand trends, risks and opportunities, providing actionable insights to senior stakeholders.
- Lead regular demand review meetings and contribute to Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) activities.
- Develop and monitor key performance indicators relating to forecast accuracy, availability and inventory health.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across planning processes, systems and ways of working.
- Partner with Supply Planning, Procurement, Logistics and Operations teams to ensure alignment between demand forecasts and operational capabilities.
- Champion planning best practice and support the ongoing optimisation of forecasting tools and technology.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to support collaborative planning and improved business performance.
About You:
The successful candidate for the role of Demand Planning Manager will be a strategic and engaging leader who can influence across multiple functions and bring a proactive approach to forecasting and supply chain optimisation.
Essential Skills & Experience:
- Proven experience within Demand Planning, Forecasting, Supply Chain Planning or Inventory Management.
- Previous experience leading and developing teams within a fast-paced FMCG, Retail, Wholesale or Distribution environment.
- Experience in a Logistics Distribution and Supply Chain environment.
- Strong understanding of forecasting methodologies, stock management and supply chain principles.
- Experience driving improvements in stock availability, forecast accuracy and inventory performance.
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence at all levels of the organisation.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
- Experience using planning systems and data to drive operational and commercial performance.
- Ability to translate complex data into meaningful business insights and recommendations.
- Be commutable to the Walsall area 3+ Days per week.
Desirable:
- Experience of RELEX or similar forecasting and planning systems.
- Exposure to Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) processes.
- Experience leading change and continuous improvement initiatives within supply chain functions.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established and growing business where you can make a genuine impact on supply chain performance and customer satisfaction.
Package:
- Competitive salary of £45,000 - £50,000
- Annual performance bonus of up to 20%
- Hybrid working - 3 days in the office, 2 days from home
- 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Annual leave entitlement increases with length of service
- Company pension scheme
- Employee discount and colleague benefits platform
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
- Career progression within a successful and growing organisation
If you're an experienced Demand Planning professional with a passion for leadership, forecasting excellence and supply chain performance, I look forward to hearing from you.
Demand Planning Manager in Birmingham employer: Loom Talent
Join a dynamic and rapidly expanding FMCG company in Walsall as a Demand Planning Manager, where you will lead a high-performing team and play a crucial role in optimising supply chain performance. Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working arrangements, and a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth through ongoing learning and development opportunities. With a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement, this is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact while benefiting from a generous annual leave package and performance bonuses.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand Planning Manager in Birmingham
✨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 Loom Talent, 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 Demand Planning Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Demand Planning Manager in Birmingham
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 Loom Talent. 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 Loom Talent 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 Loom Talent
✨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 Loom Talent.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Loom Talent
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Loom Talent 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!
