Associate Director - Demand Planning
Associate Director - Demand Planning

Associate Director - Demand Planning

Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead demand planning strategy and inspire a high-performing team in a global drinks business.
  • Company: Join a globally recognised FMCG brand with a strong focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of demand planning in a strategic leadership role.
  • Qualifications: Senior experience in Demand Planning and S&OP; strong leadership and analytical skills required.
  • Other info: Exciting career progression opportunities in a dynamic environment.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

TalentPool Supply Chain is proud to be partnered with an International Drinks Business, a globally recognised name in the FMCG industry, to lead the search for a high-calibre Associate Director – Demand Planning. This is a strategically critical hire, playing a pivotal role in shaping and executing the demand planning agenda for the GB and EU business area. Sitting at the intersection of Commercial, Finance and Supply Chain, this leadership role will drive the IBP and S&OP processes to ensure accurate, insight-led demand signals that support commercial goals, enhance service, and optimise cost to serve.

Responsibilities

  • Strategic Ownership: Lead the development and execution of the UK demand planning strategy, aligned to broader business and supply chain objectives.
  • Team Leadership: Inspire, coach and grow a high-performing team of demand planning professionals, fostering a culture of ownership, collaboration and continuous improvement.
  • S&OP Stewardship: Chair monthly Demand Review forums, align demand plans with Sales and Finance, and lead proactive risk/opportunity management across customer and category portfolios.
  • Forecasting Excellence: Drive improvements in forecast accuracy, bias reduction and long-range planning through data-driven insights and best-in-class tools.
  • Process Innovation: Lead enhancements in IBP systems and planning capabilities; champion standardisation and cross-market knowledge sharing.

Candidate Profile

  • Senior-level experience in Demand Planning and S&OP within an FMCG environment (Essential)
  • Proven ability to lead teams and influence cross-functional stakeholders at all levels
  • Strong commercial acumen with deep understanding of supply-demand dynamics
  • Analytical mindset with advanced Excel/PowerPoint and planning system experience
  • Degree educated; additional qualifications in supply chain or business advantageous

Package Highlights

  • Competitive base salary + performance-related bonus
  • Industry-leading pension, private healthcare, and parental support
  • Share scheme + flexible working options
  • Clear pathway for long-term progression

This role is based in Uxbridge, 3 days a week in the office. This is a rare opportunity to join a global powerhouse brand in a senior, strategic leadership position. For a confidential conversation, please contact TalentPool Supply Chain team – specialists in FMCG supply chain and procurement recruitment. Note: Our client will not be able to provide visa sponsorship for this opportunity.

Associate Director - Demand Planning employer: Talentpool

As an Associate Director - Demand Planning at this renowned International Drinks Business, you will thrive in a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation. With competitive compensation, industry-leading benefits including a robust pension scheme and private healthcare, and a clear pathway for career progression, this role offers not just a job but a meaningful career in a globally recognised FMCG brand. Located in Uxbridge, the company promotes flexible working options, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while you lead a high-performing team to drive strategic demand planning initiatives.
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Contact Detail:

Talentpool Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Demand Planning

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the FMCG industry and let them know you're on the hunt for an Associate Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your S&OP and demand planning knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've driven improvements in forecast accuracy and led teams in previous roles. Show them you’re the strategic leader they need!

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Use our website to find roles that excite you, and tailor your approach to each one. Quality over quantity, folks!

✨Tip Number 4

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and are genuinely interested in the role.

We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Demand Planning

Demand Planning
S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning)
Team Leadership
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Forecasting
Analytical Skills
Excel
PowerPoint
IBP (Integrated Business Planning)
Process Innovation
Commercial Acumen
Supply-Demand Dynamics
Risk Management
Continuous Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Associate Director - Demand Planning. Highlight your senior-level experience in Demand Planning and S&OP, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills and commercial acumen.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and influence stakeholders, especially in an FMCG environment.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires an analytical mindset, make sure to include examples of how you've used data-driven insights to improve forecasting accuracy or drive process innovation in your previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you one step closer to joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Talentpool

✨Know Your Demand Planning Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your demand planning and S&OP knowledge. Understand the latest trends in the FMCG sector and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles. This will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts, but that you can also bring valuable insights to the table.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As this role involves leading a team, be prepared to share specific examples of how you've inspired and developed others in your past positions. Think about times when you fostered collaboration or drove a culture of continuous improvement. This will demonstrate your capability to lead effectively.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems related to demand planning and forecasting. Practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easier for the interviewers to follow your reasoning.

✨Align with Business Objectives

Understand the company's commercial goals and how demand planning fits into the bigger picture. Be ready to discuss how you would align demand plans with sales and finance objectives. This shows that you’re not just focused on the numbers, but also on how they impact the overall business strategy.

Associate Director - Demand Planning
Talentpool

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