At CareCo, we make every day easier for people.
As the UK's leading mobility retailer, our goal is to make sure that everybody who needs a helping hand not only gets one, but that they get the one that works for them. A career at CareCo is about being part of a team that helps to achieve that.
Our Demand Planner is responsible for ensuring product availability and optimal inventory levels across the portfolio. This role requires strong analytical capabilities, expertise in Microsoft Excel, and a solid understanding of demand planning, product forecasting, and inventory management. The role also involves setting a high commercial standard for product demand functions and embracing opportunities for learning and continuous improvement.
This is a full-time permanent position, covering 37.5 hours over a Monday to Friday week, based out of CareCo's Braintree Site.
What are my responsibilities?
* SKU Portfolio Management: Maintain and manage a complex SKU portfolio, including new product launches and existing products, ensuring optimal inventory levels and availability.
* Purchase Order & Inventory Management: Proactively manage purchase orders using a JIT approach to support smooth stock intake, efficient resource management, and on-shelf availability.
* Demand Forecasting: Develop and maintain accurate short-, mid-, and long-term demand forecasts for B2B customers across multiple channels and regions.
* Data Analysis: Analyse historical sales, market trends, and customer order patterns to identify demand drivers, variances, and opportunities for improvement.
* Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Operations teams to align forecasts with business plans, promotional activities, and inventory strategies.
* Forecast Accuracy & Reporting: Monitor forecast accuracy, identify root causes for deviations, recommend corrective actions, and prepare/present demand planning reports and KPIs to leadership.
* Internal Stakeholder Communication: Represent the Product Management team to internal stakeholders, providing clear updates on planned or enforced changes to SKUs.
* Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems, and reporting, providing actionable recommendations to senior management.
* Industry & Market Awareness: Maintain awareness of industry trends, supply chain conditions, and competitor activity to inform forecasting and planning decisions.
* Commercial & Customer Insights: Use feedback from internal customers and suppliers to ensure commercial requirements are incorporated into product decisions.
* Support Product Management Decisions: Help the Product Management team make data-driven, informed decisions to optimise inventory, reduce stockouts, and minimise excess stock.
* Demand Review Leadership: Lead monthly demand review meetings, ensuring alignment across teams and continuous improvement of planning processes.
What qualifications & skills are required of me?
* Bachelor's Degree in Business, Supply Chain, Economics, or a related field.
* Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and data analysis.
* Minimum 3 years' experience in demand planning, forecasting, or inventory management.
* Experience working with B2B customer channels and SKU portfolio management.
* Familiarity with ERP or demand planning systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, FuturMaster).
* Strong analytical and numerical skills with attention to detail.
* Ability to interpret sales and inventory data to take informed decisions.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work cross-functionally.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
* Competence in preparing reports and presenting KPIs to leadership.
* Highly organised and proactive with a problem-solving mindset.
* Commercially aware with an understanding of the business impact of demand planning decisions.
* Adaptable and able to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
* Collaborative team player with a commitment to supporting Product Management objectives.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: Up to £35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Employee discount
* Free parking
* On-site gym
* On-site parking
* Referral programme
* Work from home
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Braintree CM77: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Work Location: In person