Demand Planner (12 Month FTC)

Our story

Family and ideas have always been our ingredients. Our founding families believed biscuits and chocolates could bring moments of happiness to the world. Their ideas have stood the test of time. Their spirit continues to inspire our future. It’s in the care and the craft we bake into biscuits and chocolates that have been loved for generations. And it’s in the fresh ideas, the new twists, flavours and textures we add to old and new favourites.

Our 16,000 colleagues across our global network of bakers, distribution sites and offices each with their own unique, diverse experience. To bring happiness with every bite.

If you’re a part of the pladis team, you know what it means to bring it. Whether its or resilience, team spirit or go-getting attitude. Our courage and compassion. Our ownership. Our whole selves. We Bring it. Day in, day out.

Inspired by you

Our founders didn’t follow rules and recipes, they created them. We’re looking for fresh thinkers to help us create the next chapter for pladis.

pladis succeeds because of people like you. People who wake up in the morning excited to get to work. Who believe in themselves and their potential. Who want to grow as part of a global community of like-minded colleagues! Because growth is our oxygen and our fuel. And it’s our deep and abiding belief that growth comes from working together, helping each other out, always passionate about our purpose to bring happiness with every bite.

What will this role achieve?

Are you an individual that enjoys working at pace? Are you detailed, numerical, tenacious?

As the link between the commercial teams and our supply chain, our Demand Planners work cross-functionally within the business and as such we are always keen to hear from experienced individuals at all levels.

If successful, your primary responsibility is to accurately forecast customer demand for a defined product range, thereby supporting our requirement to meet and exceed our customers’ expectations.

The role will be located at our new Global Head Office in Chiswick Park which has excellent facilities both within the office as well as in the surrounding park.

You will need to operate proactively to handle demand within the volatile FMCG environment. You will work with the Commercial and Operational teams and will be accountable for identifying medium/long term trends & weaknesses within the high-level forecast, then collaborating cross functionally to ensure the forward forecast is as reliable as possible.

We’re as passionate about our people as we as we are about our consumers. At pladis you will be given responsibility, ownership, and stretching targets, together with the support and personal development plan to help you achieve your potential. You will not be a cog in a big wheel, but a valued part of a team where you make a difference – every day.

pladis has an exciting strong growth program in local, developing and emerging markets, with innovation at its core.

What will be your key deliverables?

• Own the base and promotional forecast for your customer portfolio, working with the account team and collaboration manager to maximise the accuracy of the forecast.
• Determine trends and notable forecast deviations in the short and medium term and understand reasons for forecast deviations to support forecast adjustment decisions.
• Conduct formal weekly forecasting meetings with Account Managers to review and amend short and medium term forecasts. Lead the decision making, using historical and current data to justify proposed changes. Particular focus to be given to post promotional performance, new product launches, distribution changes & future promotional phasing.
• Extract and utilise EPOS data for your respective account on a weekly (and occasionally daily) basis to understand rate of sale in store for your product portfolio.
• Review customer order placement daily and understand / manage significant deviations to the forecast.
• Lead the Customer 30/60/90 meetings, supported by the Collaboration manager and the Account Manager.
• Meet the monthly forecast accuracy & bias targets.
• Attend the weekly alignment meetings in conjunction with the collaboration manager and account manager to agree changes to the short-term forecast.
• Maintain data inputs to the demand planning forecast management tool.
• Attend regular Demand Planning meetings and provide input on sales performance to share potential market changes with your colleagues.
• Formally request increases in demand from the supply chain via short notice requests form.
• Ensure seasonal phasing is robust. Continually aligned demand with the formal seasonal forecast freeze for your accounts.
• Ensure future promotional demand has been reviewed prior to internal sign off.
• Work with the collaboration manager to deliver 98% inbound service level for your accounts.
• Analyse customer stock holding data to understand how this could impact order placement and adjust the forecasts accordingly.
• Maintain master data within the demand planning system.

In addition to the core role, Demand Planners are expected to take on additional project work to build the business. The projects will be dependent upon business requirements & the individual.

Bring your experience

Essential

• Having held a planning role previously, you will understand end-to-end supply chain planning processes and commercial team priorities.
• Highly numerate and analytical
• IT literate with strong Excel capability
• Understanding of supplier-customer engagement & the requirements of each business.
• Capable of chairing / running forecast review meetings with internal colleagues and external customers.
• Ability to negotiate and influence at a Senior level.
• Able to prioritise workload & cope with pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work effectively with cross functional teams.

Desirable

• Proven experience of working for an FMCG manufacturer in the role of demand planner.
• Full awareness and understanding of the Sales & Operational Planning Processes.
• Previous experience of forecasting within operational planning systems.
• Awareness of manufacturing production processes and capabilities
• Understanding of the business drivers and factors that impact on related critical metrics
• Understanding and appreciation of accurate master data

Our Purpose

Bring happiness with every bite

It’s a purpose that every one of our colleagues, all around the world believes in. And while we’re all unique, we also share the same values.

Each of our values is important on its own. In combination they’re extraordinarily powerful.

Our values have deep personal meaning to us. They’re part of who we are and what we stand for as an employer

Living our pladis values is a key part of success, look out for questions in your interview that link to these key pladis values.

Our Values

Purpose led – We’re energised and guided by our purpose to bring happiness with every bite

Agile – We’re ever evolving, we never stand still, always improving for our customers and our consumers

Positive – We’re highly motivated optimistic, fearless, and we inspire each other to be better

Resilient - We’re persistent in the face of setbacks, quick to adapt, learn and move forward

Collaborative – We gain strength from operating as one pladis, winning and succeeding together.

Best mix of ingredients

pladis is an equal opportunities employer, like every excellent recipe we’re a thoughtful mix. A happy and inclusive place to work that’s as diverse as our consumers and the communities we support, live and work in, all around the world. Where every voice is heard, and difference is celebrated. Where fresh perspectives and new ideas help us grow and thrive.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform key job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.