Senior Supply and Demand Planner & Forecasting Analyst
Location: Cheshire ( Hybrid Working)
We are recruiting an experienced, highly analytical Supply & Demand Planner to join a leading FMCG business. This role is ideal for a data-driven planning professional who thrives on turning large, complex datasets into clear, actionable insight to support forecasting and operational decision-making.
You will play a critical role in analysing customer and SKU-level data, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities, and translating these into accurate forecasts that underpin Demand Planning, S&OP, and wider Supply Chain execution.
Working cross-functionally, you will partner with commercial, supply chain, and operations teams to ensure alignment between demand signals and supply capability, improving forecast accuracy and supporting business performance.
The role is UK-based, with regular European travel (typically once per month), alongside monthly customer visits across the UK.
We are looking for a driven, adaptable, and flexible individual who is comfortable operating within a fast-paced, global environment, and able to effectively engage with stakeholders across multiple regions.
Key Responsibilities
*Act as the primary analytical support to Demand Planning and Supply Chain teams, owning the extraction, validation, and transformation of large customer and SKU-level data sets to support accurate forecasting and planning decisions.
*Analyse and consolidate 13-week customer forecasts, critically reviewing forecast submissions for accuracy, bias, and anomalies.
*Compare historical sales data against new forecasts, identifying trends, seasonality, volatility, and variance to support robust demand planning.
*Produce detailed, decision-ready reports and dashboards using advanced data analytics tools (e.g. SQL, Python, Power BI) to support forecasting accuracy and performance tracking.
*Support the monthly S&OP process by providing analytical insight, scenario modelling, risks, and opportunities to senior stakeholders.
*Work closely with Demand Planning, Sales, Production, and Supply Chain teams, attending customer reviews and internal planning meetings to ensure alignment.
*Provide customers and internal teams with clear forecasting data, performance reports, and demand updates, ensuring complex data is communicated clearly and effectively.
*Monitor FGI (Finished Goods Inventory) data, highlighting risks relating to shortages, excess stock, or demand volatility.
*Support production lifecycle management, including product introductions, phase-outs, and stock build strategies through data-driven insight.
*Identify performance trends, inefficiencies, and value opportunities within demand and supply data to support continuous improvement initiatives.
*Operate effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, managing multiple data streams and changing priorities.
*Support European teams and cross-regional projects, particularly those involving the introduction or enhancement of new data analytics and planning software.
Experience & Skills
*Proven experience in a Data Analyst, Supply Chain Analyst, or Commercial Analyst role within manufacturing, FMCG, or a complex operational environment.
*Strong experience working with large, complex data sets, particularly SKU-level, customer-level, and time-phased data.
*Demonstrated ability to validate, challenge, and interpret data to support forecasting and planning decisions.
*Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, data modelling, reporting).
*Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insight for non-technical stakeholders.
*High attention to detail with strong ownership of data accuracy and integrity.
*Comfortable working in a highly fast-paced, change-driven environment.
Highly Desirable
*Experience working alongside Demand Planning or S&OP teams, providing analytical support rather than owning the plan.
*Exposure to ERP / planning systems such as SAP, SAP IBP, APO, or similar.
*Experience supporting system implementations, upgrades, or analytics-led transformation projects.
*Understanding of demand planning, forecasting, and supply chain processes, even if not previously owned.
*Experience working within European or international supply chain environments.