Junior Demand Planner in Middleton

Full-time Permanent Junior

Posted 08 Jul 2026

Description

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 tasks will 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; elevate 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.
• Build effective relationships with internal teams (sales, warehouse, logistics and supply planning) to support smooth execution.
• Provide administrative support across demand planning and order management processes.
• Contribute ideas to improve planning processes, efficiency and forecast accuracy.
• Support the team to meet deadlines and service level targets (availability and OTIF) and prepare analysis for meetings (e.g. Trading reviews).

Key skills & experience required:

• Previous experience in demand planning, merchandising, supply chain, forecasting, stock control or a similar planning role within FMCG, manufacturing or wholesale would be advantageous.
• 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.
• Proactive, resilient and able to use initiative.
• Flexible team player with a positive, can‑do approach.
• Customer‑focused, with a professional approach and the confidence to represent the company well.
• Previous experience of OrdersWise, Sage 200 or similar systems would be highly advantageous.
• Experience of working with reporting tools and complex datasets would be beneficial.
• Experience of working with key retailers and/or eCommerce platforms would be beneficial.