At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead collaborative planning and forecasting for major European retail partners.
- Company: Join Royal Canin, a leader in pet nutrition, driving transformation in supply chain management.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience in a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Temporary 12-month role with potential for long-term career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on pet health while developing your skills in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in demand planning or supply chain analytics; strong Excel and data analysis skills.
Royal Canin is undertaking a major transformation programme called EOS to deliver against its strategy of being Fit for Future and removing business risk. The transformation has 4 key elements: new technology including implementation of SAP4 HANA, E2E standardized core processes, a strengthened data & analytics foundation, supported by a dedicated transformation team and change management. Following a successful pilot in Poland, the 1st wave of implementations will go live in summer 2027 and RC EKA (European Key Accounts) will be one of 3 units to participate in the first wave.
The CPFR manager for European Key Accounts (EKA) plays a pivotal role in securing health through nutrition for cats and dogs by establishing robust Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR) processes with our strategic European retail partners. During this 12-month assignment covering for key team members seconded to a business transformation project—the successful candidate will manage daily collaborative customer planning while serving as a strategic capability champion.
Key Responsibilities
- Customer Collaboration & CPFR Excellence: Lead and refine the collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment (CPFR) process with assigned major EKA customers to synchronize demand signals and commercial plans. Act as the primary supply chain point of contact for customer supply chain teams, leading regular collaborative reviews to proactively identify and resolve potential forecasting discrepancies or supply imbalances.
- Demand Sensing, Forecasting & Systems Management: Build and maintain a highly accurate customer-level demand forecast utilizing FutureMaster and advanced Excel models. Apply advanced statistical forecasting methods and quantitative analysis to historical sales, promotional uplifts, and seasonality data to optimize baseline forecasts.
- Analytics, Reporting & Business Case Creation: Design, track, and share collaborative KPIs including Forecast Accuracy, Bias, On-Time In-Full (OTIF), On-Shelf Availability (OSA), and Customer Inventory Weeks of Supply (WoS). Conduct deep-dive data analysis on inventory flow, safety stock levels, and service level failures to establish root-cause corrective actions.
- Cross-Functional S&OP Alignment: Collaborate closely with demand planning, Sales, Key Account Managers, Demand creation teams, Regional Planning, customer services and Logistics to ensure customer promotions and launch volumes are fully integrated into the regional S&OP/S&OE cycles.
Context and Scope
Operating within the highly dynamic and fast-paced European Key Accounts (EKA) business unit, this role sits at the critical intersection of Supply chain, Sales, demand creation, and our customers’ supply chain planning teams. The position requires managing multiple external data sets and translating them into a coherent planning signal within Royal Canin's planning tools.
Job Specifications/Qualifications
- Fluency in English verbal and written is essential and fluency in French or German verbal would be advantageous.
- University degree (Bachelor’s or Master's) in Supply Chain Management, Business Analytics, Logistics, Economics, or a related field would be advantageous or a background of planning work experience.
- 3+ years of experience in demand planning, customer collaboration, or supply chain analytics within an FMCG, CPG, or Petcare environment.
- Proven experience working directly with the supply chain or planning teams of major retail key accounts in Europe.
- Advanced capability in MS Excel (Power Query, advanced data modeling, pivot tables, and statistical formulas).
- Experience in extracting data from various sources (data warehouses, customer data sharing sources, ERP systems, API's, Power BI, Tableau, SQL or similar platforms).
- Outstanding verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex data insights simply to both internal sales teams and external buyers.
Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment Manager F/M/X in London employer: Mars
Mars in Melton Mowbray is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With competitive salaries, private healthcare, and ample opportunities for career advancement, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles while working with state-of-the-art technology in the FMCG sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment Manager F/M/X 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 Mars, 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 Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment Manager F/M/X.
We think you need these skills to ace Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment Manager F/M/X 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 Mars. 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 Mars 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 Mars
✨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 Mars.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Mars
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Mars 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!
