At a Glance
- Tasks: Own and enhance demand forecasts for teamwear, ensuring optimal stock health and operational efficiency.
- Company: Join Zelus, Nike's exclusive global licensee for teamwear apparel and equipment.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and strong professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture celebrating diversity; flexible approach to work and career development.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the sports industry while collaborating with a globally recognised brand.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in demand planning, advanced Excel skills, and a strong commercial understanding.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About Zelus
Zelus is Nike Inc.'s exclusive global licensee for teamwear apparel and equipment, serving athletes and teams from grassroots to elite level across football, rugby, basketball, athletics, hockey, and more. Based in Hilversum, we bring together creative, passionate people to deliver high‑quality product for teams around the world — with a Swoosh on every kit.
The role
We are looking for a commercially minded and analytically strong Demand Planner to join our growing Planning function within the Finance team. This is a high‑impact role responsible for owning and continually improving the end‑to‑end demand planning process across our Teamwear category. You will play a critical role in ensuring optimal stock health, improving forecast accuracy, supporting commercial decision‑making, and driving operational efficiency across the business. The role is based in our Altrincham office, with a hybrid working pattern of three days in the office (Monday to Wednesday) and two days working remotely (Thursday and Friday). Occasional travel to our Netherlands office will be required (around once per quarter).
What you’ll do
- Demand Planning & Forecasting
- Own and enhance SKU‑level demand forecasts in collaboration with Commercial, Product, and Finance teams.
- Translate quantitative and qualitative inputs into accurate forecasting models.
- Provide multi‑season buying forecasts to support supply chain and factory planning.
- Continuously improve forecast accuracy to support strategic stock‑buying decisions.
- Incorporate commercial growth assumptions, market trends, and upcoming projects into planning models.
- Stock Management & Optimisation
- Be accountable for the stock position and visibility across multiple warehouse locations.
- Monitor and report on stock health using key KPIs, including clearance levels and size curve performance.
- Analyse sales performance to optimise inventory allocation and minimise excess stock exposure.
- Drive stock efficiency through data‑led recommendations and actionable insights.
- Support the development and execution of stock clearance and SLOB reduction strategies.
- Cross‑Functional Business Partnering
- Be the key planning partner to commercial and marketplace teams globally.
- Support commercial decision‑making through insightful analysis and reporting.
- Collaborate closely with Supply Chain teams to understand and validate stock flow management.
- Build strong relationships across departments to ensure alignment with wider business objectives.
- Process Improvement & Reporting
- Enhance and streamline existing reporting tools and planning processes.
- Identify automation opportunities to improve efficiency and data accuracy.
- Partner with the Data team to ensure consistency and integrity across reporting outputs.
- Deliver clear, accessible analysis that supports strategic and operational decision‑making.
What you’ll bring
- Hands‑on experience building processes, creating forecasts, challenging stakeholders and influencing buying decisions.
- Advanced excel skills and data analysis capability – confident using pivot tables, XLOOKUPs/index‑match, forecasting models, stock KPI reporting, and translating large datasets into clear commercial actions and recommendations.
- 3+ years experience in demand planning and forecasting.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.
- Strong commercial understanding with ability to communicate with colleagues across functions.
- Ideally a background of FMCG, Supply Chain and/or Retail.
- Strong organisational and prioritisation skills with a flexible approach.
Why join Zelus?
At Zelus, you’ll have the opportunity to lead with impact, work closely with a globally recognised sports brand partner, and help shape how teamwear product comes to life for athletes worldwide. We offer a collaborative, inclusive culture, strong benefits, and real opportunities for professional growth. Zelus is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate diversity in all its forms. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
Please note: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Demand Planner - Sports Teamwear in Altrincham employer: ZELUS, Authorized Licensee of NIKE, Inc.
Zelus is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Altrincham where creativity and passion thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities to lead impactful projects in partnership with a globally recognised sports brand, all while enjoying a collaborative and inclusive culture. Our hybrid working model and comprehensive benefits ensure that our team members can achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to the success of athletes worldwide.
Contact Details:
ZELUS, Authorized Licensee of NIKE, Inc. Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Demand Planner - Sports Teamwear in Altrincham
✨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 ZELUS, Authorized Licensee of NIKE, Inc., 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 - Sports Teamwear.
We think you need these skills to ace Demand Planner - Sports Teamwear in Altrincham
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 ZELUS, Authorized Licensee of NIKE, Inc.. 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 ZELUS, Authorized Licensee of NIKE, Inc. 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 ZELUS, Authorized Licensee of NIKE, Inc.
✨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 ZELUS, Authorized Licensee of NIKE, Inc..
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by ZELUS, Authorized Licensee of NIKE, Inc.
Look into any unique supply chain challenges ZELUS, Authorized Licensee of NIKE, Inc. 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!
