At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage demand planning and forecasts to drive product success in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join Ocado Retail, the world's largest online supermarket with a mission to deliver joy.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, private medical insurance, discounts, and a bonus scheme.
- Other info: Access to AI Academy for future-ready tech skills and great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of innovative projects and develop your skills in a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: Analytical mindset, strong Excel skills, and excellent communication abilities required.
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Hatfield (Hybrid working - 3 days in the office)
Working hours per week: 40 hours
Level: Associate
Application Closing Date: Friday 4th September
About us
Our mission is to deliver joy in every shop, through unbeatable choice, unrivalled service, and reassuringly good value. We’re also on a mission to empower our business with smart technology; we've recently launched our AI Academy, providing a tailored AI learning journey for every colleague.
We’re Ocado Retail, a market-leading joint venture between Ocado Group and M&S, and the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, ocado.com. Not only is Ocado the only place to shop a full range of M&S food online, it’s also the home to the widest online supermarket range in the UK and champion of small, independent brands. We’re also the brains behind Zoom by Ocado, our same-day grocery delivery service.
About the team and the role
As a Demand Planner, you will step into a fast-paced environment where you will ensure the success of your product range. You’ll manage forecasts, supplier performance, and drive key commercial KPIs across availability, waste, and fulfilment. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate across trading, operations, and project teams, supporting massive initiatives like promotions, seasonal planning, and new Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) openings.
What you’ll do
- Manage demand and forecast planning across products to consistently achieve key performance targets.
- Build strong supplier relationships and proactively manage end-to-end supplier performance.
- Optimise delivery schedules, buying processes, and inbound logistics efficiency.
- Analyse supply chain trends, support promotional activity, and recommend continuous process improvements.
- Collaborate cross-functionally across the Supply Chain, trading, operations, and wider project teams.
Who you are
Essential:
- Analytical Mindset, with a natural curiosity to dive into complex data, identify underlying patterns, and solve supply chain challenges effectively.
- Strong Excel and IT skills, with high confidence in interpreting and manipulating numerical data.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage external stakeholders.
- Proactive and adaptable, with the confidence to make independent decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Organisational agility, with the flexibility to work occasional weekends on a rota.
Desirable:
- Skilled in demand forecasting, data analysis, and end-to-end supply chain planning.
- Commercial acumen and direct supplier management experience.
- E-commerce or large-scale retail supply chain exposure.
What’s in it for you
By joining Ocado Retail, you’ll have the chance to experience life at the world’s largest online retailer, work with an amazing bunch of people who challenge what’s possible each day, and grow your skills and career in online retail. You'll also be part of our AI Academy, a dedicated learning journey designed to empower every colleague with the smart technology skills of the future.
If that’s not enough to tempt you, you’ll also get access to loads of great benefits to sweeten the deal. Here’s a taste of what we offer:
- Health & Wellbeing: Private medical insurance with option to add your family, Digital GP appointments, market-leading family policies, mental health support, discounted gym memberships, dental insurance, and more.
- Spend & Save: Annual bonus scheme split between personal and business objectives, recognition with reward platform, up to 7% matched pension contributions, 15% Ocado discount, 20% M&S discount, free breakfast every day in the office, electric vehicle leasing scheme, and free shuttle bus from Hatfield station to the office.
- Never miss the moments that matter: Hybrid working, 26 days holiday plus 8 flexible bank holidays, options to buy extra holiday, 2 weeks work from anywhere, and lifestyle break opportunities.
Our Hiring Process
Lucky for us, we receive a high volume of applications and genuinely appreciate the time and effort invested by every candidate. To ensure a fair and thorough process, every application is reviewed by a member of our team. If your skills and experience are a strong match, a Talent Partner will contact you to discuss the role and guide you through the next steps of our hiring process.
Your Application and AI
In the spirit of innovation, we welcome you to use AI tools in your application, just as we use them in our own business at Ocado Retail. However, as you leverage this technology, please don't lose sight of the most important element: your unique self. Your experiences, passions, and personality are what truly set you apart. Ensure that your application still authentically conveys who you are and why you're a great fit for us.
Everyone’s welcome
We’re an equal opportunities employer, which means that we make sure all potential colleagues are treated fairly and equally. We want to ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply; if you need this job description in an alternative format (e.g., larger print, different document type, etc.), please reach out to us at careers@ocadoretail.com and we'll be happy to assist you, and if you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know on the application form.
Demand Planner in Hatfield employer: Ocado Retail
At Ocado Retail, we pride ourselves on being a forward-thinking employer that champions innovation and employee development. With our hybrid working model in Hatfield, you’ll enjoy a supportive work culture that prioritises health and wellbeing, alongside access to our AI Academy for continuous learning. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your contributions directly impact the success of the world's largest online supermarket, all while enjoying a range of fantastic benefits.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand Planner in Hatfield
✨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 Ocado Retail, 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 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 Ocado Retail. 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 Ocado Retail 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 Ocado Retail
✨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 Ocado Retail.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Ocado Retail
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Ocado Retail 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!
