At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in demand planning for a major grocery portfolio.
- Company: Join a leading FMCG brand known for its innovative products.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, bonuses, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative, values-driven culture focused on growth.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in FMCG demand planning with strong analytical and leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop your career in a fast-paced, supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Demand Planning Manager – Grocery & Strategic
Category-leading FMCG brand | Hybrid working | Team leadership
We’re supporting a well-known FMCG business with the hire of a Demand Manager to lead forecasting across a major grocery portfolio. This is a high-impact role with line management responsibility, where you'll play a key part in ensuring forecast accuracy, cross-functional alignment and S&OP maturity across the business.
You’ll lead a small team, work closely with Sales, Supply, Finance and Marketing, and take ownership of both short-term forecast delivery and longer-term demand planning insights.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead and develop a team of Demand Planners, coaching on forecasting techniques, systems and S&OP best practice
- Own the demand planning process across grocery customers, including base, promo, NPD and seasonal lines
- Improve forecast accuracy and bias by refining tools, assumptions and ways of working
- Actively support the continuous improvement of S&OP processes and cross-functional collaboration
- Represent the demand planning function within the supply chain leadership community
What they’re looking for:
- Proven experience in FMCG demand planning, ideally with 5+ years’ experience in forecasting roles
- Line management experience – able to coach and build capability within a team
- Strong analytical skills, Excel and forecasting systems experience (e.g. Blue Planner or similar)
- A confident communicator with strong commercial awareness and problem-solving ability
- Someone with a collaborative, proactive mindset – values-led and able to work flexibly in a fast-paced environment
What’s on offer:
- Competitive salary plus car allowance
- Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of paying out
- Hybrid working – based 2–3 days per week at their head office
- Private healthcare, cash plan and other wellbeing support
- 25 days holiday + option to buy more
- Inclusive and values-driven culture, with a strong emphasis on employee development and cross-functional collaboration
Demand Planning Manager - Global Food business employer: The TalentPool Company
Contact Detail:
The TalentPool Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand Planning Manager - Global Food business
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in demand planning within the FMCG sector. Understanding current market dynamics and consumer behaviour will help you demonstrate your expertise during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the FMCG industry, especially those involved in demand planning. Engaging with others can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your analytical skills and become proficient in forecasting tools like Blue Planner. Being able to showcase your technical abilities will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Highlighting your experience in coaching and developing others will resonate well with the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Demand Planning Manager - Global Food business
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in FMCG demand planning, particularly any roles where you've led teams or improved forecasting accuracy. Use specific examples to demonstrate your analytical skills and familiarity with forecasting systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with their needs, especially your line management experience and collaborative mindset. Mention any relevant tools or systems you’ve used, like Blue Planner.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your previous roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. For instance, mention how you improved forecast accuracy or contributed to S&OP processes. This will help illustrate your impact in previous positions.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Think about the key responsibilities of the role and prepare answers to potential interview questions. Be ready to discuss your approach to team leadership, problem-solving, and how you would handle cross-functional collaboration.
How to prepare for a job interview at The TalentPool Company
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Demand Planning Manager, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in line management and how you've successfully coached and developed team members. Share specific examples of how you've improved team performance or implemented best practices.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Proficiency
Highlight your strong analytical skills during the interview. Be ready to discuss your experience with forecasting systems like Blue Planner and how you've used data to improve forecast accuracy. Consider bringing examples of tools or techniques you've refined in past roles.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various departments. Prepare to talk about your experience collaborating with Sales, Supply, Finance, and Marketing teams. Share instances where your collaborative approach led to successful outcomes or improved processes.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and commercial awareness. Think of situations where you've had to make quick decisions or adapt to changes in a fast-paced environment, and be ready to explain your thought process and the results.