At a Glance
- Tasks: Support demand forecasting and stock planning for key customer accounts in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Leading homewares supplier with a focus on career growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, excellent career progression, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Opportunity to work cross-functionally and develop analytical skills.
- Why this job: Join a successful team and make an impact in the fast-paced FMCG sector.
- Qualifications: Experience in a similar role and strong Excel skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Home Textiles Supplier Location: Middleton - HYBRID WORKING
Excellent career progression opportunities. Our client is a leading homewares company, supplying UK retailers. They now have an excellent opportunity for a Junior Demand Planner to join the hugely successful team based in Middleton.
In this role, you’ll support the Demand Management team across larger and more complex customer accounts, while taking ownership of the day-to-day forecasting and stock planning for a small portfolio of assigned accounts. Working closely with Sales and Operations, you’ll help maintain accurate forecasts, monitor stock availability and track performance to support commercial opportunities, maximise sell-through, meet stock targets and deliver a high standard of customer service.
Key Duties include:
- Support the Demand Management team to build and maintain demand forecasts for a defined portfolio (customers/SKUs/categories) in a fast-paced FMCG environment.
- Own day-to-day forecasting for a small group of accounts, keeping plans up to date and tracking performance with support from senior team members.
- Gather and maintain key forecast inputs (historical sales, promotions, seasonality and customer insight) and ensure data accuracy across planning tools and spreadsheets.
- Analyse sales and forecast data to identify trends, risks and opportunities; escalate issues with clear supporting data.
- Support forecast review cycles by preparing files, updating assumptions and maintaining clear audit trails.
- Plan and monitor stock requirements, availability and stock cover for assigned accounts, aligning with supplier lead times, inbound deliveries and promotional activity.
- Maintain regular reporting on forecast accuracy, sales performance and stock position.
- Work closely with Sales/Account teams to ensure forecasts reflect promotions, launches and range changes.
- Communicate stock updates, delivery timings and any risks to relevant stakeholders in a timely, professional manner.
What will you need?
- Previous experience in a similar role.
- Strong Excel skills, ideally at intermediate to advanced level, including formulae, VLOOKUP and Pivot Tables.
- Good analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and use it to support action.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to deadlines.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
- Strong communication skills, with the confidence to work cross-functionally and deal professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
- Numerate, detail-focused and accurate under pressure.
Apply online or for further information contact one of our specialist consultants quoting reference number: NJR16859.
Junior Demand Planner employer: NJR Recruitment
Join a dynamic and growing eCommerce business that values creativity and innovation in the sports retail sector. With a remote working model complemented by bi-weekly team meetings in North Manchester, you'll enjoy a flexible work environment while contributing to exciting projects that drive market expansion. The company fosters a collaborative culture with ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for motivated individuals looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Demand Planner
✨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 NJR Recruitment, 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 Junior Demand Planner.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Demand Planner
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 NJR Recruitment. 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 NJR Recruitment 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 NJR Recruitment
✨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 NJR Recruitment.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by NJR Recruitment
Look into any unique supply chain challenges NJR Recruitment 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!
