About The Role
What are the main responsibilities of the job role?
Working in a small team, as the Senior Demand Planner, you will have the responsibility to support and lead key aspects of the demand planning function within Whitworths.
* Analyse and recommend changes to the forward forecast using data derived from internal systems and major retailer systems.
* Be responsible for maximising and clearly communicating forecast accuracy (including bias and performance trends) across the business.
* Make logical, data-led forecast adjustments using customer-specific EPoS data, stock holding information and distribution data from external customer systems.
* Effectively communicate forecast changes, risks and opportunities to internal stakeholders to ensure alignment across Commercial, Supply Chain and Finance & to be integrated into our S&OP process.
* Monitor and track all NPD and promotional performance, making appropriate adjustments to the Demand Plan and communicating impact to the wider business.
* Lead and manage Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) accounts where applicable, ensuring optimal stock levels, improved service performance and strengthened customer relationships.
* Drive collaborative forecasting and demand planning initiatives with strategic retail partners to improve visibility, alignment and mutual performance outcomes.
* Work cross-functionally with internal teams to ensure demand plans reflect commercial strategy, supply constraints and operational capability.
* Manage the product delist process end-to-end, ensuring forecast adjustments are timely, stock exposure is minimised and all stakeholders are aligned to exit plans.
* Support the implementation and management of margin improvement and cost-saving initiatives to drive supply chain efficiencies across the business.
* Produce and maintain a suite of daily, weekly and monthly internal reports, continuously improving reporting to ensure insights are value-adding and actionable.
What are the key ingredients needed for the role?
* Significant previous experience within a demand planning role
* Previous experience working within the FMCG industry with supply chain / customer service bias
* Good working knowledge of order management processes
* Good understanding and demonstratable knowledge of collaborative working practices with retailers
* Working knowledge of Retail Link or similar retailer systems is desirable
* Excellent communication skills and the ability to develop highly effetive working relationships across the business and with customers.
About Us
We're on an exciting mission here at Whitworths – to help boost the nutrient intake of the nation, improving general health of families using the goodness found in our delicious products. We're the only brand that gives a credibly nutritious boost to breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, baking and beyond.
There are obviously many other reasons to come and work with us, but the biggest reason is so that you have a job you love and a company you are proud to say you work for. You will receive a competitive salary, 33 days holiday, a workplace pension, and in addition, you'll also have access to a number of family friendly, health and lifestyle benefits. Culturally, we believe strongly in investing in our people, developing them in role and developing their careers within Whitworths. Don't just take our word for it, our people say the same, as demonstrated by our recent accreditation from Investors In People.