Demand Planning & Reporting Analyst - Per-Scent in Manchester

A Bit About Us

Established in 1990, Per‑Scent has over 30 years of experience in brand building, new product development, manufacturing services and distribution globally. Per‑Scent is the UK’s leading fragrance distributor of the most sought‑after brands across premium, celebrity and lifestyle fragrances.

Location: Manchester

Job type: Permanent

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• Enjoy work‑life balance with our flexible working scheme – including 15 days working from home allowance per year, duvet days and the choice to flex your working hours.
• Vibrant state‑of‑the‑art office, conveniently located in Trafford Park with great transport links and free onsite parking.
• No need to travel to the gym – we have one here for you! Take advantage of our free onsite gym facilities before/after work or even pop in at lunch time.
• Generous staff discounts on a wide range of fabulous fragrances.
• Excellent progression and development opportunities – work with teams who are passionate about what they do and develop your expertise within a creative and collaborative space.

The Role

We are currently seeking a talented and detail‑oriented Demand Planning & Reporting Analyst to join our growing team. The role will be responsible for developing accurate demand forecasts, optimizing inventory levels, and supporting strategic decision‑making to ensure product availability while minimizing excess inventory costs. This role requires strong analytical skills, a keen understanding of forecasting methodologies, and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Demand Forecasting: Utilise historical sales data, market trends, and input from sales and marketing teams to develop demand forecasts for products across different segments and regions.
• Inventory Optimization: Collaborate with Supply Chain and Procurement teams to optimise inventory levels, ensuring the right balance between product availability and inventory carrying costs.
• Manage e‑commerce warehouse stock: Regularly review holding levels in line with current sales trends and adjust inventory to support trading periods.
• Forecast Accuracy: Skilled in optimising forecasting models and improving demand planning processes, data accuracy, and efficiency through automation, optimisation, and technology solutions while monitoring performance metrics for continuous enhancement.
• Sales and Market Analysis: Analyse sales data, customer demand patterns, and market trends to identify factors influencing demand, providing insights to support decision‑making and business planning.
• Collaboration: Partner closely with cross‑functional teams, including Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations, to align demand forecasts with overall business objectives.
• New Product Development (NPD): Support the demand planning process for new product launches, providing input on initial demand forecasts, monitoring performance, and adjusting forecasts as necessary.
• Promotional Planning: Incorporate promotional activities, seasonality, and other market events into demand forecasts, collaborating with marketing and sales teams to ensure accurate planning and execution.
• Risk Management: Anticipate and mitigate risks to demand forecasts, such as supply chain disruptions, market volatility, and changing customer preferences, developing contingency plans to minimise impact on inventory and sales performance.
• Reporting: Generate regular reports summarising forecast performance, highlighting trends, risks, and opportunities, and providing actionable insights to stakeholders.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Statistics, Economics, or a related field. Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., APICS, IBF) is advantageous.
• Proven experience in demand planning, forecasting, or a related analytical role, preferably in a manufacturing, retail, or consumer goods environment.
• Proficient in Excel, SQL, and data visualisation tools (Power BI) with strong analytic skills.
• Experienced in implementing and working with demand planning systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and levels of the organisation.
• Detail‑oriented with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate data insights into actionable recommendations to drive business results.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment.

Desired

• Experience of Microsoft Dynamics Business Central.

Personal Qualities and Skills

• Possesses a keen analytical mindset.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills and ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrates outstanding interpersonal abilities.
• Displays mastery in communication.
• Shows adept organisational skills and self‑reliance.
• Applies a systematic and logical approach to problem‑solving.
• Thrives in collaborative environments.
• Maintains a consistently professional demeanour.
• Exhibits exceptional problem‑solving acumen.
• Manages workload effectively with strong organisational prowess.
• Shows enthusiasm for acquiring new skills and knowledge.
• Works seamlessly within team dynamics.
• Upholds a strong work ethic.
• Capable of effectively engaging with various stakeholders, including department managers, directors, and the CEO.

Per‑Scent is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.