At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver accurate demand forecasts and optimise inventory for a leading cycling brand.
- Company: Join Muc-Off, a global leader in bicycle and motorcycle care products.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days holiday, staff discounts, and a chill work environment.
- Other info: Work with a dynamic team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a fast-paced industry while indulging your passion for cycling.
- Qualifications: Experience in demand planning and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Muc-Off was established in 1994 and since then we have experienced strong global growth in the bicycle and motorcycle markets.
Today, we are global leaders in our field and have a disruptive and distinctive approach to life.
Partnered with some of the world's best teams and athletes across a range of cycling disciplines, Muc-Off has become the reference point in the care and maintenance category, with exciting and ambitious plans for the future.
About the role
The Planning Analyst is responsible for delivering accurate demand forecasts, inventory plans and supply recommendations to ensure product availability while optimising inventory investment.
The role acts as a key link between Sales, Marketing, Operations, Procurement and Finance, providing data-driven insights to support business growth and customer service objectives.
Key responsibilities
- Demand Planning
- Own and maintain SKU-level demand forecasts across assigned categories, channels and/or markets
- Develop baseline forecasts using historical sales, seasonality, customer trends, promotional activity, market intelligence and commercial inputs
- Lead regular forecast reviews with Sales and Marketing, challenging assumptions where appropriate and driving consensus on the most likely demand outlook
- Analyse forecast bias and accuracy at SKU, category, channel and customer level and lead corrective actions
- Assess the impact of promotions, campaigns, customer events and seasonality on future demand
- Develop scenario forecasts to support commercial decisions, business risks and opportunities
- Identify emerging demand trends and communicate implications to relevant stakeholders
- Drive improvements in forecasting methodology, processes and system utilisation
- Inventory Planning
- Take ownership of inventory health across assigned areas, balancing availability, service levels and working capital requirements
- Recommend and optimise safety stocks, reorder points, target inventory levels and inventory policies
- Proactively identify potential shortages, overstocks, slow-moving inventory and obsolescence risks and coordinate mitigation plans
- Lead inventory reviews with relevant stakeholders and recommend actions to improve stock turns and reduce excess inventory
- Analyse inventory requirements for seasonal peaks, promotions, customer activity and changing demand patterns
- Support Finance and Operations with working capital and inventory budget planning
- Challenge inventory assumptions and recommend appropriate service-level versus stock-investment trade-offs
- Supply Planning
- Develop and maintain supply plans aligned with forecast demand, inventory targets, production or supplier capacity and lead times
- Translate demand requirements into forward-looking supply and purchasing requirements
- Partner closely with Procurement and suppliers to identify capacity, lead-time and supply continuity risks
- Monitor inventory coverage and supplier performance and escalates risks before they impact customer service
- Develop recovery and mitigation plans where demand exceeds available supply
- Support decisions relating to allocation and stock prioritisation during periods of constrained supply
- Lead planning activities associated with new product launches, product transitions, discontinuations and phase-outs
- New Product Development & Product Lifecycle
- Partner with Marketing, Commercial and Operations teams on demand and inventory planning for new product launches
- Develop launch forecasts and scenarios based on comparable products, customer listings, marketing plans and commercial assumptions
- Track actual launch performance against forecast and rapidly adjust future demand and supply plans
- Manage inventory implications of SKU transitions, reformulations, packaging changes and discontinued products
- Minimise residual and obsolete inventory during product phase-outs
- Analysis & Reporting
- Produce and interpret weekly and monthly planning KPIs, focusing on the underlying drivers rather than reporting results alone
- Analyse demand, inventory, service levels, forecast performance and supply performance to identify risks and opportunities
- Convert complex planning data into clear commercial recommendations and actions
- Develop scenario models to assess the inventory, revenue, service and working-capital impact of business decisions
- Provide insight to senior stakeholders on emerging planning risks, opportunities and trends
- Develop and improve planning dashboards, reporting tools and master data
- Identify opportunities to automate or simplify planning processes and reporting
- Play a leading role in the monthly Sales & Operations Planning process
- Prepare and present demand, inventory and supply analysis for S&OP meetings
- Highlight significant forecast changes, supply constraints, inventory risks and business opportunities
- Develop scenarios and recommendations to support management decision-making
- Challenge assumptions from Commercial, Marketing and Operations teams using data and planning insight
- Ensure agreed S&OP decisions are reflected within demand, supply and inventory plans
- Track actions and decisions arising from S&OP and ensure appropriate follow-through
- Key KPIs
- Forecast Accuracy (%)
- Inventory Turns
- Stock Availability / Fill Rate
- Excess & Obsolete Inventory
- Inventory Value vs Budget
- Inventory Days/Weeks of Cover
- Slow-Moving Inventory
- New Product Launch Forecast Accuracy
- Working Capital Performance
What we're looking for
- Must-haves
- A few years' experience within demand planning, supply planning, inventory planning or a related supply chain analytical role
- Previous planning experience within an FMCG, consumer goods or similarly fast-paced, high-SKU environment
- Strong understanding of demand planning, inventory optimisation, supply planning and S&OP principles
- Demonstrable experience managing forecasts across products with high levels of seasonality, promotional activity and demand volatility
- Experience supporting new product launches and product lifecycle management
- Advanced Excel and data analysis skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Ability to work with large datasets and translate findings into actions
Desirable qualifications and experience
- Experience within a multi-channel FMCG environment including retail, wholesale, distributors, e-commerce and/or international markets
- Experience working with promotional and event-driven demand
- Knowledge of statistical forecasting techniques and forecast modelling
- Experience with Power BI or similar business intelligence tools
- Experience working within a formal S&OP or Integrated Business Planning process
- Experience of planning across both established products and high volumes of NPD
- What we can offer
- 33 days holiday, inclusive of UK bank holidays
- Early finish on a Friday
- Excellent staff discount on Muc-Off products
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Long Service Rewards
- Chill-out areas, showers and a secure area to store your bike
- Pension contributions
- An awesome opportunity to work with a local and widely recognised brand
- A cool, casual and fully branded-up working environment where staff indulge their passions for cycling and fitness
MUC-OFF LTD - SOUTHAMPTON Job Type: Full-Time About Muc-Off Muc-Off was established in...
MUC-OFF LTD - POOLEJob Type: Full-Time About Muc-Off Muc-Off was founded in 1994...
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Senior Planning Analyst in Southampton employer: Muc-Off Ltd
Muc-Off is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and dynamic work culture that celebrates passion for cycling and fitness. With generous benefits such as 33 days of holiday, early finishes on Fridays, and a supportive environment for employee growth, Muc-Off fosters a collaborative atmosphere where innovative ideas thrive. Located in the heart of Southampton, employees enjoy the unique advantage of working with a globally recognised brand while being part of a team that values creativity and excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Planning Analyst in Southampton
✨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 Muc-Off Ltd, 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 Senior Planning Analyst.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Planning Analyst in Southampton
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 Muc-Off Ltd. 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 Muc-Off Ltd 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 Muc-Off Ltd
✨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 Muc-Off Ltd.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Muc-Off Ltd
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Muc-Off Ltd 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!
