Buyer - Reed : Job Details

My Client, based in Bradley Stoke is looking for a Demand Planner in their Supply Chain department.

Key points:

• Must have experience in demand planning or similar purchasing role
• Experience with data analysis
• Experienced user of Excel

This role requires somebody who has plenty of experience so they can come in and hit the ground running. The team at present is a fairly small team and it requires somebody who can get involved relatively quickly. This is working alongside 3 others, whilst reporting into the Group Inventory & Demand Planner at TC.

Job Purpose: To forecast & purchase products aligned to market & company requirements while minimising operational costs & maintain product availability.

Main responsibilities: Demand Forecasting - Use statistical methods, historical sales data, market trends, and other inputs to predict future demand for products. - Collaborate with sales, marketing, and finance teams to gather information that affects demand, such as promotions, product launches, or economic shifts. - Provide insights into future demand trends and work with cross functional teams to create plans that align with the company’s overall business strategy & financial goals. - Responsible for product availability on allocated region. Data Analysis and Reporting - Analyse various sources of data, including past sales, market trends, seasonality, and economic indicators, to refine and improve demand forecasts. - Generate regular reports to assess forecast accuracy and inventory performance. Reporting includes product availability, service levels, stock breakdowns & forecast accuracy Purchasing & Inventory Management - Submit orders to suppliers, ensuring the right quantity of products is available in the right locations to avoid stockouts or overstock situations. - Work closely with suppliers to maintain optimal stock levels, balancing supply with forecasted demand. Supplier Management - Build strong working relations with suppliers to continuously improve purchasing & operational performance. - Provide quarterly purchasing forecasts to primary suppliers. - Attend & contribute to supplier negotiations. - Annual trips to Key Suppliers in Europe & far East. Collaboration with Stakeholders - Participate in regular S&OP meetings to align demand forecasts with internal stakeholders KPIS including Sales & logistics teams to ensure all parties are aligned on demand expectations. Continuous Improvement - Monitor forecast accuracy and continuously refine forecasting models to improve precision over time. - Implement best practices and adopt new technologies, by attending conferences & seminars with industry experts. Risk Management - Identify potential risks to the demand forecast, such as market volatility, supply chain disruptions, or changes in consumer behaviour.

Skills and Experience: - Experience in a Demand Planning or Purchasing role desirable - Strong understanding of the business environment, market dynamics - Demonstrate an excellent numeric ability - Previous experience with data analysis & an experienced user of Microsoft Excel.