Role Purpose

The Demand Planning Manager is responsible for leading the Planning function across Local, Import, and Promotional product portfolios, ensuring that stock availability and efficiency targets are consistently achieved across the business.

This role manages a team of Demand Planners, Junior Planners, and Order Administrators, driving excellence in forecasting, replenishment, and inventory management. A key focus of the role is optimizing stock efficiency — addressing excess and slow-moving inventory, ensuring healthy stock rotation, and maintaining optimal availability in stores and warehouses.

The Demand Planning Manager plays a strategic role in supporting buying and commercial decisions through strong analytical insight, proactive risk management, and effective collaboration across Supply Chain, Buying, and Operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop the Demand Planning team.

• Set team objectives, KPIs, and performance standards.

• Oversee demand forecasting and replenishment planning.

• Optimise inventory levels, stock availability, and days cover.

• Manage supply constraints, supplier performance, and lead times.

• Drive stock efficiency and reduce overstock/obsolete inventory.

• Lead stock review meetings and inventory health initiatives.

• Manage new product launches and product exits to minimise write-offs.

• Partner with Buying, Logistics, Stores, and Finance to align supply and demand.

• Monitor and improve key supply chain KPIs (forecast accuracy, availability, inventory health, on-time delivery).

• Analyse performance, identify risks, and implement corrective actions.

• Drive continuous improvement of planning processes, systems, and reporting.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or a related field (Postgraduate qualification advantageous).

• 5–8 years of experience in demand and supply planning, inventory management, or merchandise planning, ideally within retail or FMCG.

• At least 2–3 years in a team leadership or management capacity.

• Strong understanding of replenishment and forecasting systems (Relex, SAP, Oracle, JDA, or equivalent).

• Proven experience in managing stock efficiency, product lifecycle transitions, and supplier collaboration.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and analytical tools.