Regional Demand Planner in Newcastle upon Tyne

We're looking for a Regional Demand Planner to join our Demand Planning team! You will be responsible for producing an unbiased sales forecast for the relevant business unit, covering all associated Feeding and Hygiene products and manage the supply chain activities to achieve success in all key performance indicators taking into account internal and external factors. The revenue/margin sales forecast is used for setting Annual Operating and Quarterly plans and highlights any gaps in the live forecast. The sales forecast is translated into a rolling 24-month demand plan which requires the planner to create replenishment orders on our factories to ensure that optimum inventory levels are held (inclusive of safety stock) maximising customer service levels and forecast accuracy targets.

What you will be doing:

• Build an unbiased forecast, collecting as much market intelligence to achieve forecast accuracy targets and to ensure the correct products are ordered.
• Ensure that forecasts are reflective of the sales plan by SKU by trade channel.
• Initiate monthly forecast reviews (in line with S&OP calendar) with sales, presenting an appropriate level of analysis to support recommendations for forecast amendments, challenging sales where necessary to ensure that a standard forecasting methodology is applied, and the forecast remains unbiased.
• Base Forecast collation and pressure test Channel specific forecasts.
• Use the forecasting system where necessary to allow statistical forecasts to be maintained ensuring appropriate algorithms are adopted.
• Effectively plan and execute key events with the support of cross-functional teams e.g. product launches & seasonality.
• Effective transition management of substitutions discontinued and new products minimising waste/residual and optimising availability.
• To achieve 3 month offset Forecast Accuracy % target for set trade channels and regions.
• Collaborate with respective channel and Category teams to gain insight of trading plans to ensure that the forecast is reflective of commercial activities of the business.
• Build strong relationships with key customers to gain insight in customer trading plans so that this information is reflective in the forecast.
• Work with key customers and Vendor portals to review inventory, forecasts and instock % so that we can maximise product visibility on shelf.
• Work with relevant departments to ensure that AOP & Quarterly plans are locked down and reflective of the business/Strat plan in a set time.
• Attend monthly rolled up forecast reviews.
• Work with sales function to ensure that missed sales within the month are rolled where required to the following month to ensure the correct replenishment is made.
• Take part in the S&OP process for your region from a Demand perspective.
• Responsible for the inventory, replenishment, excess and out of stocks for a selection of categories/products.
• Based upon the Demand forecast, review and commit Requirement Planning (RP) schedules on a monthly basis for nominated product groups to produce an 18 month demand plan for the relevant supplier.
• Ensure that OOS (Out of stocks) are kept to a minimum and appropriate action is taken to minimise impact to trade.
• Generate exit plan for products that are at the end of their product life cycle.

What skills and experiences you’ll need to ace this job:

• Proven experience in demand planning/ forecasting.
• Strong communicator at all levels, both internal and external, ability to build relationships, challenge where appropriate and achieve buy in where necessary to demand & supply planning processes.
• Excellent analytical, numerical and commercial skills, advanced level in Excel.
• Educated to degree level, in a business studies or related fields.
• FMCG knowledge - retail and supply chain.
• Good understanding of commercial business environment, especially sales and competition.

If this opportunity to be a Regional Demand Planner sounds like an exciting opportunity for you, please apply online.