Demand Planner
Job Title: Demand Planner
Location: Horsham
Salary: £32,000 – £37,000
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Demand Planner
A growing organisation within a specialist manufacturing and distribution environment is looking to appoint a commercially aware and data-driven Demand Planner to join its operations team.
This is a highly analytical position where you will take ownership of forecasting, inventory planning and demand analysis, playing a key role in aligning customer demand with production and supply capabilities.
You will work cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Finance and Operations to ensure stock availability is optimised while minimising excess inventory and operational risk.
Key Responsibilities
- Create, develop and maintain accurate demand forecasts using historical data and market insights
- Analyse sales trends and seasonality to support business planning and peak trading periods
- Manage stock replenishment and ensure optimal inventory levels across multiple channels
- Monitor inventory performance to reduce stock shortages and excess stock
- Conduct regular stock health analysis, identifying slow-moving or obsolete items
- Collaborate with Finance to ensure demand plans align with budgets and financial forecasts
- Provide production teams with forward forecasts to support scheduling and resource planning
- Identify risks in supply and demand, proactively highlighting potential shortages
- Track production output against forecasts and adjust plans where necessary
- Support e-commerce and third-party logistics demand planning requirements
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure alignment across departments
- Contribute to continuous improvement of systems and processes, including ERP development (Odoo)
- Help transition manual processes into more automated, data-driven reporting
Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in demand planning, forecasting or supply chain analysis
- Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret and present data
- Experience using ERP systems (Odoo experience advantageous)
- Advanced Excel skills
- Understanding of inventory management and supply chain operations
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Proactive and solutions-focused approach
Desirable
- Experience in a manufacturing or distribution-based environment
- Exposure to e-commerce or multi-channel demand planning
- Experience improving processes and implementing system enhancements
This is an excellent opportunity for a driven Demand Planner to join a growing business where you can have real impact on operational performance and strategic planning.
